it is difficult to defend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is difficult to defend" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a position, argument, or idea that is challenging to justify or support. Example: "In the debate, I found that my opponent's stance on the issue was so flawed that it is difficult to defend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Some of its players have complained that it is difficult to defend as aggressively or to change direction as quickly on the surface.

The New York Times - Sports

However, it is difficult to defend the film's accuracy when one glaring error struck me early on.

The Guardian - Film

As some of the comments on that post reveal, the fact that it is difficult to defend first epistemic principles is what causes many people to think that even science is based on faith.

The New York Times

She added: "It is difficult to defend that in respect of this house if the house is not aware that actually our proceedings have been injuncted and prevented from publication.

The Guardian

When young people first hear philosophical questions about the traditional moral standards they have learned from their parents and their community, and when they see that it is difficult to defend these orthodoxies without falling into contradiction, they are prone to reject all traditional morality and to become essentially lawless.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One reason it is difficult to defend against such an attack is that finding and cutting off the responsible parties requires a cooperative, concerted effort between the affected Web site and its network service provider -- the company that connects the site's own computers to the Internet.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"They were physical and brought Crouch in, and it's difficult to defend.

Independent

(Just as it was difficult to defend the practices that led to New York's fiscal crisis).

The New York Times

"Stoke changed their style today, it was Butland to Crouch so it was difficult to defend," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's difficult to defend a person who does not want to cooperate with you and is not prepared to take advice from you," Mr. Aliyev said.

The New York Times

"Mail Online has taken things to a new level, and it's difficult to defend against it beyond having strong-arm tactics from lawyers, but that becomes very expensive.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is difficult to defend", ensure that the subject being defended is clearly defined and that the reasons for the difficulty are evident to the reader. This enhances clarity and persuasiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "it is difficult to defend" when a situation is actually impossible to defend. Consider using stronger language like "indefensible" or "impossible to justify" in such cases to accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is difficult to defend" functions as an evaluative statement. Ludwig's examples show it used to express the challenge in justifying or supporting a particular stance, action, or situation. The structure indicates an assessment of defensibility.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is difficult to defend" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express the challenge of justifying a position or action. Ludwig AI shows its usage in diverse contexts, predominantly in news, media, and scientific writing. While "correct", careful attention should be paid to the strength of the statement and whether alternatives like "indefensible" might be more appropriate. Using this phrase effectively means ensuring clarity around what is being defended and why it presents a challenge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's challenging to justify

Changes the adjective "difficult" to "challenging" and replaces "defend" with "justify".

it's hard to argue for

Replaces "difficult" with "hard" and "defend" with "argue for".

it's tough to advocate for

Substitutes "difficult" with "tough" and "defend" with "advocate for".

it presents a defense challenge

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the challenge of defending something.

it lacks defensibility

Transforms the phrase into a statement about the absence of defensibility.

justifying it is problematic

Focuses on the problematic nature of justifying something.

it is not easily justifiable

Emphasizes that something cannot be easily justified.

it's a hard sell

Uses a more informal, business-oriented expression.

it's indefensible

Emphasizes the impossibility of defending something.

the defense is an uphill battle

Emphasizes the difficulty and struggle involved in defending something.

FAQs

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

You can use "it is difficult to defend" when talking about a position, argument, or action that lacks strong justification. For example, "it is difficult to defend the company's environmental record given the recent pollution incidents".

What are some alternatives to saying "it is difficult to defend"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it is challenging to justify", "it is hard to argue for", or simply "it is indefensible", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a subtle difference between "it is difficult to defend" and "it is impossible to defend"?

"It is difficult to defend" implies that some defense might be possible, though challenging. "It is impossible to defend" indicates that no defense is viable, suggesting a more severe problem.

When is it more appropriate to say "it is challenging to justify" instead of "it is difficult to defend"?

Use "it is challenging to justify" when referring to actions or decisions that require a rational explanation, especially in formal contexts. "It is difficult to defend" can apply more broadly to positions, arguments, or even physical spaces.