it is difficult to follow

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "it is difficult to follow" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are trying to express that something is difficult to understand, either because it is complicated or because it is not clearly explained. For example, "The instructor's instructions were unclear, and it was difficult to follow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

It is difficult to follow such reasoning to its conclusion without assuming, therefore, that black holes and people have a lot in common -- and that the existence of people somehow (indirectly, through cosmic parameters that might favor both) encourages the production of black holes.

Huffington Post

"It is difficult to follow sometimes.

The New York Times - Sports

Beyond that, it is difficult to follow the trail of the ticket as it passes from hand to hand.

The New York Times - Sports

It is difficult to follow the current debate about "humanitarian intervention" in Syria without being struck by the wearying familiarity of so many of the arguments.

The Guardian - Opinion

In its extreme forms where all starchy vegetables, bean/legume, fruit, and grain intake is restricted, it is difficult to follow and has the drawback of high saturated fat and low fiber intake.

Stanford University

Because the individual chapters and subchapters read as self-contained magazine articles, it is difficult to follow the chain of events that led to Enron's bankruptcy filing in December 2001.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

"It was difficult to follow," she said.

The Washington Post

As such, it's difficult to follow to the letter.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was breathless, it was chaotic and it was difficult to follow at times.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's difficult to follow in your father's footsteps when your father has been successful".

The New York Times

The flow of debate was so fast that it was difficult to follow.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is difficult to follow", ensure that the subject you're referring to is clearly defined. This will avoid ambiguity and help your reader understand what exactly is challenging to understand.

Common error

Avoid relying excessively on passive voice constructions like "it is difficult to follow" as it can sometimes make your writing sound weak or less direct. Consider rephrasing to highlight who finds it difficult to follow, adding clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is difficult to follow" typically functions as a comment or assessment regarding the comprehensibility of a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it expresses that something is hard to understand. The examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts where clarity is lacking.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it is difficult to follow" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey a challenge in understanding something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various writing contexts. While generally neutral, you might consider stronger synonyms in more formal settings. Primarily found in "News & Media", "Science", and "Academia", remember to maintain clarity in your writing to minimize instances where something becomes "it is difficult to follow" for your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's hard to understand

Uses simpler vocabulary, replacing "difficult" with "hard" and "follow" with "understand".

it is challenging to comprehend

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging" and "follow" with the more formal "comprehend".

it's not easy to grasp

Emphasizes the lack of ease in understanding, using the idiom "grasp".

it is obscure to understand

Replaces "difficult" with "obscure", highlighting a lack of clarity.

it is tough to make sense of

Uses "tough" instead of "difficult" and focuses on the effort required to understand.

it's all Greek to me

An idiomatic expression indicating complete lack of understanding.

the meaning is elusive

Shifts the focus to the meaning itself being hard to capture or understand.

it defies comprehension

Highlights the impossibility of understanding.

it is perplexing

Focuses on the confusing nature of something.

it is unintelligible

Indicates that something cannot be understood due to its nature.

FAQs

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

You can use "it is difficult to follow" when describing something that is hard to understand or comprehend. For example, "The instructions were so complicated that "it is difficult to follow" them."

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

Alternatives include phrases like "it is challenging to comprehend", "it's hard to understand", or "it's not easy to grasp", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "it is difficult to follow" and "it is impossible to follow"?

"It is difficult to follow" implies that understanding requires significant effort, while "it is impossible to follow" suggests that understanding is beyond one's capabilities or due to the inherent nature of the subject matter.

Is "it is difficult to follow" formal or informal?

"It is difficult to follow" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in more formal writing, you might choose a synonym like "it is challenging to comprehend" for a more sophisticated tone.