it is difficult to comprehend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is difficult to comprehend" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you could use it in the sentence, "The mathematical problem was so complex that it was difficult to comprehend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

In a letter to Mr. Gehl and its board, he wrote, "It is difficult to comprehend how the board and management could have convened and given due consideration to an offer in a four-hour period on a Friday evening before a holiday".

The New York Times

"It is difficult to comprehend why it is not possible at this stage of the playoffs".

The New York Times - Sports

It is difficult to comprehend the impact of Mr. Dylan's songs.

The New York Times

It is difficult to comprehend or convey the anger and crazy sense of misguided patriotism embraced by these people.

The New York Times

Wilson Octaveus, aged 47, fires words at me so fast that at first it is difficult to comprehend.

The Guardian

You tell me – from the website it is difficult to comprehend exactly what constitutes the basis for competition.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

"It's difficult to comprehend," Primeau said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's difficult to comprehend how they can have reached this decision".

The Guardian

"It's difficult to comprehend Bill Clinton developing a correspondence with George W. Bush," Mr. Ellis said.

The New York Times

But he said it was difficult to comprehend the level of mistrust.

The New York Times

"It's difficult to comprehend today a society where people were expected to do things other than gratify themselves".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is difficult to comprehend," ensure that the subject of comprehension is clearly defined. Vague references can confuse the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "it is difficult to comprehend" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "it's hard to understand" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is difficult to comprehend" serves as a statement of cognitive difficulty. It expresses that a particular concept, situation, or piece of information is not easily understood. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is difficult to comprehend" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something is challenging to understand. Ludwig AI validates its usage across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. While appropriate for neutral and formal registers, avoid overuse in casual contexts, opting for simpler alternatives. As a final thought, when using "it is difficult to comprehend", ensure that the subject is clear to prevent confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It is hard to grasp

Uses "hard to grasp" instead of "difficult to comprehend", simplifying the language.

It is challenging to understand

Replaces "difficult to comprehend" with "challenging to understand", focusing on the challenge aspect.

It is not easy to understand

Employs a negative construction ("not easy") to convey the difficulty, softening the statement.

It is tough to make sense of

Uses "tough to make sense of" to highlight the effort required for understanding.

It is beyond my understanding

Indicates a personal limitation in understanding, rather than an inherent difficulty.

I struggle to understand it

Shifts the focus to a personal struggle, rather than the inherent difficulty of the subject.

It's a complex concept

Identifies the subject as inherently complex, implying difficulty in comprehension.

The matter is perplexing

Uses "perplexing" to describe the subject, suggesting it causes confusion.

The idea is abstruse

Employs the word "abstruse" to denote something obscure and difficult to understand.

It eludes comprehension

Uses a more formal tone, indicating that the subject escapes understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "it is difficult to comprehend" in a sentence?

You can use "it is difficult to comprehend" to express that something is not easily understood, as in "It is difficult to comprehend the scale of the universe".

What are some alternatives to "it is difficult to comprehend"?

You can use alternatives like "it is hard to grasp", "it is challenging to understand", or "it is not easy to understand depending on the context.

Is it better to say "it is difficult to comprehend" or "it's difficult to comprehend"?

"It is difficult to comprehend" is more formal, while "it's difficult to comprehend" is a contraction and more suitable for informal writing and speech. The meaning remains the same.

What's the difference between "it is difficult to comprehend" and "it is hard to understand"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "it is difficult to comprehend" suggests a higher degree of complexity or abstruseness than "it is hard to understand". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.