it is difficult to discover

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is difficult to discover" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing challenges or obstacles in finding information or uncovering truths. Example: "In the vast world of scientific research, it is difficult to discover new theories that can withstand rigorous scrutiny."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It is also worth noting that one advantage of the optogenetic approach, compared with pharmacological perturbation, is its modularity and specificity, because it is difficult to discover ideal pharmacological reagents that specifically target proteins of interest, whereas optogenetics works in a genetically more specific fashion.

Development (Cambridge)

It is difficult to discover any point in calling talk "rabbit and pork".

The Guardian

"It is difficult to discover something new when you don't know what to look for," says Sjogreen.

TechCrunch

When a sequence contains more than one motif, it is difficult to discover all the motifs.

BioMed Research International

Hence, it is difficult to discover nuances in the data and generate pertinent hypotheses.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

These men are called 'germinal mosaics', and it is difficult to discover them without a testicular biopsy.

Human Reproduction Update

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

They came up with the idea because Daniel Robinson has always thought that although Hacker News offered a great way to share articles, it was difficult to discover content.

TechCrunch

For a long time, it was difficult to discover many details of Sorabji's life, as he was extraordinarily private.

Wikipedia

In addition, we modified the resection margin according to the location, tumor size, and recurrence status; therefore, it was difficult to discover factors related to recurrence on univariate analysis.

BioMed Research International

In the case of breed-specific CNVs, we selected CNVs in one breed, so there were a higher number of breed-specific CNVs than CNVs found for breed differentiation and it was difficult to discover the biological meaning behind them.

BMC Genomics

It's hard to get back things that you leave on a train as it's difficult to discover where they have ended up.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider strengthening the phrase by adding a modifier, such as "extremely difficult" or "particularly difficult", to emphasize the magnitude of the challenge. For instance, "It is extremely difficult to discover the root cause of the problem."

Common error

Avoid using "it is difficult to discover" as a vague statement. Always provide specific reasons or evidence to support why discovering something is challenging. For example, instead of saying "It is difficult to discover the truth", say "It is difficult to discover the truth due to conflicting accounts and lack of reliable evidence."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is difficult to discover" functions as an introductory expression that sets the stage for explaining a challenge or obstacle in finding information or understanding something. As seen in Ludwig, it commonly precedes an explanation of why the discovery process is complex.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

31%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is difficult to discover" is a grammatically correct and versatile expression used to introduce a challenge in finding or understanding something. Ludwig's analysis reveals that while appropriate for both formal and informal settings, it frequently appears in scientific and news-related contexts. Alternatives like "it is challenging to uncover" or "it is hard to detect" can be used for variety. When using the phrase, providing specific reasons for the difficulty is crucial to avoid vagueness. It's a valid phrase that adds clarity to complex discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is challenging to uncover

Emphasizes the effort required to reveal something hidden.

it is hard to detect

Focuses on the difficulty of noticing or identifying something.

it is tough to ascertain

Highlights the difficulty in establishing something with certainty.

it is not easy to unearth

Stresses the laboriousness of finding something buried or concealed.

it is problematic to identify

Indicates issues or obstacles in the identification process.

it presents a discovery challenge

Frames the situation as a problem related to the act of discovery.

finding it is an uphill battle

Uses a metaphorical expression to convey the struggle in finding something.

it is onerous to bring to light

Emphasizes the burdensome nature of revealing something.

it is a hurdle to stumble upon

Highlights the obstacle one must overcome to find something.

it is elusive to come across

Focuses on the evasive nature of what is being sought.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "it is challenging to uncover", "it is hard to detect", or "it is tough to ascertain" depending on the context.

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

This phrase is often used to describe challenges in research, problem-solving, or investigation. For example: "It is difficult to discover the exact cause of the disease" or "It is difficult to discover new species in the deep sea."

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "it is difficult to discover"?

Use this phrase when you want to express that finding or learning something is not straightforward and involves significant effort or obstacles. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

What makes "it is difficult to discover" different from "it is impossible to discover"?

"It is difficult to discover" implies a challenge or obstacle but suggests that discovery is still possible, though not easy. "It is impossible to discover", on the other hand, indicates that discovery is not feasible under any circumstances. The former suggests a high degree of difficulty, whereas the latter suggests impossibility.