it is difficult to explain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it is difficult to explain' is a valid part of a sentence and correct in written English.
You can use it when you are having difficulty conveying something verbally, as in this example: "I'm not sure I can explain why I made that decision; it is difficult to explain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is difficult to explain why.

The New York Times

Villas-Boas said: "It isaidffItult to explais.

Independent

Pellegrini says it is difficult to explain his success.

The Guardian - Sport

It is difficult to explain our apathy and our stupidity.

The Guardian

It is difficult to explain this to people.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It is difficult to explain how it worked," he says.

The Guardian

Aurelio added: "It is difficult to explain how we feel.

Independent

"It is difficult to explain," said Eberhard Fischer, the German botanist who discovered the water lily.

The Guardian

"It is difficult to explain, but yet when it happens, it happens.

The New York Times

It is difficult to explain the large difference between these results.

Nature

It is difficult to explain but please remember I am a truly religious individual too.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is difficult to explain", be prepared to offer some context or insight into why the explanation is challenging. Providing related information can help the audience understand the complexity even if a full explanation isn't possible.

Common error

Avoid using "it is difficult to explain" as a conversational dead end. Follow up with some indication of the underlying reasons or complexities. For example, instead of just saying "it is difficult to explain", try "it is difficult to explain, but it involves several interacting factors".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is difficult to explain" functions as a statement expressing the speaker's challenge or inability to provide a clear or simple explanation of something. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase introduces complexity or nuance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is difficult to explain" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate complexity or a challenge in articulating something clearly. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. The phrase appears across a range of contexts, notably in news, media, and scientific publications. When using this phrase, providing some context or indication of the underlying reasons for the difficulty can enhance understanding. Related alternatives include "it's hard to articulate" and "it's challenging to elucidate", each offering slight nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's hard to articulate

Uses "hard to articulate" instead of "difficult to explain", focusing on the speaker's struggle to express themselves.

it's challenging to elucidate

Replaces "difficult to explain" with "challenging to elucidate", which is a more formal way to indicate difficulty in making something clear.

it's complex to clarify

Substitutes "difficult to explain" with "complex to clarify", emphasizing the intricate nature of what needs to be explained.

it's problematic to explicate

Employs "problematic to explicate" instead of "difficult to explain", highlighting the existence of issues or obstacles in providing an explanation.

it's not easy to convey

Uses "not easy to convey" instead of "difficult to explain", focusing on the act of communicating or transmitting information.

understanding this is not straightforward

Highlights the complexity from the understander's point of view, rather than the explainer's.

the reasons are elusive

Focuses on the obscurity of the reasons themselves, implying difficulty in grasping them.

the explanation is convoluted

Characterizes the explanation as tangled and complicated, making it difficult to follow.

the underlying logic is obscure

Emphasizes that the logic is unclear, rather than the explanation itself, leading to confusion.

it defies simple explanation

Suggests that a basic explanation is insufficient, indicating a deeper complexity.

FAQs

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

You can use "it is difficult to explain" when you want to acknowledge that something is complex and not easily understood or articulated. For example, "It is difficult to explain why the stock market is behaving this way."

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

You can use alternatives like "it's hard to articulate", "it's challenging to elucidate", or "it's complex to clarify" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "it is difficult to explain" or "it is impossible to explain"?

The choice depends on the situation. "It is difficult to explain" suggests a challenge in understanding, while "it is impossible to explain" implies that no explanation is possible. Choose the phrase that most accurately reflects the situation.

What does it mean when someone says, "it is difficult to explain"?

It typically means that the subject at hand is complex, nuanced, or requires a level of understanding that is not easily conveyed. It suggests that a simple explanation is insufficient.