it is difficult to fathom

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is difficult to fathom" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something is hard to understand or comprehend. Example: "The complexity of the universe is so vast that it is difficult to fathom its true nature."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

"It is difficult to fathom how there could be any victory in this," he said.

The New York Times

It is difficult to fathom the plight of Israelis in towns under attack like Sderot.

The New York Times

Even in less stressful times, it is difficult to fathom the contours of Mr. Gore's psyche.

The New York Times

It is difficult to fathom a natural process that could underlie the cause and effect implied by this superstition.

Britannica

Poland and Costa Rica played so poorly that it is difficult to fathom just how good Ecuador are.

The Guardian - Sport

It is difficult to fathom what public policy is served by opening the already overcrowed federal courts to claims such as these.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

It's difficult to fathom what is not "appropriate".

The Guardian - Books

Analysts said it was difficult to fathom why the stock price of Morgan Stanley was spiraling down.

The New York Times

Ornelas, a first-year student, said it was difficult to fathom her younger siblings growing up under a Trump presidency.

The Guardian

But to see an entire firm disappear in the blink of an eye, it's difficult to fathom".

The New York Times

It's difficult to fathom years later, but John was actually the Ravens' second choice to be their head coach after Jason Garrett initially turned the opportunity down.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is difficult to fathom" when you want to emphasize the intellectual challenge in understanding something complex or abstract. It adds a layer of sophistication compared to simpler alternatives.

Common error

Avoid using "it is difficult to fathom" in very simple contexts where simpler phrases like "it is hard to understand" would suffice. Overusing complex vocabulary can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is difficult to fathom" functions as an evaluative expression. It indicates a subjective assessment of the level of complexity or incomprehensibility associated with a particular subject. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment confirming its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is difficult to fathom" is grammatically sound and commonly employed to express a struggle in understanding something complex. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and the phrase's usage spans across diverse contexts, primarily within news media, academic discourse, and scientific writing. While versatile, remember to reserve it for situations where the complexity genuinely warrants such sophisticated vocabulary. Simpler expressions may suffice for everyday contexts. Remember that authoritative publications like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is hard to grasp

Replaces "difficult" with "hard" and "fathom" with "grasp", both conveying a similar sense of difficulty in understanding.

it is challenging to comprehend

Substitutes "difficult" with "challenging" and "fathom" with "comprehend", emphasizing the mental effort required.

it is tough to comprehend

Replaces "difficult" with "tough", suggesting something is demanding or taxing to understand.

it is not easy to understand

Uses a simpler vocabulary to express the difficulty in understanding something.

it is difficult to understand why

Adds "why" to specify that the difficulty lies in understanding the reason or cause.

it is beyond my comprehension

Emphasizes a personal limitation in understanding, indicating something is too complex for one's cognitive abilities.

it is hard to believe

Shifts the focus from understanding to believing, indicating something is surprising or unbelievable.

it defies explanation

Suggests something is so unusual or complex that it cannot be explained.

it is not clear

Indicates a lack of clarity, suggesting something is ambiguous or unclear.

it is a mystery

Presents something as enigmatic and inexplicable.

FAQs

What does "it is difficult to fathom" mean?

The phrase "it is difficult to fathom" means that something is hard to understand or comprehend. It suggests that grasping the concept requires significant mental effort.

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

You can use "it is difficult to fathom" to describe abstract concepts, complex situations, or surprising events. For example, "It is difficult to fathom the scale of the universe" or "It is difficult to fathom why he made that decision."

What can I say instead of "it is difficult to fathom"?

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

Is "it's difficult to fathom" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it's difficult to fathom" is a grammatically correct contraction of "it is difficult to fathom". Both phrases are acceptable and widely used.