it is difficult to mention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is difficult to mention" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a topic that is challenging to bring up or reference, often due to its sensitivity or complexity. Example: "In discussing the impact of climate change, it is difficult to mention the economic consequences without considering the social implications."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Here it is difficult to mention all the relevant published research papers in this area.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Individual newspapers began to take on specific cultural or political views and major urban areas and the newspapers that covered them often became so intertwined that it was difficult to mention one without the other.

Huffington Post

It is difficult to make mention of possibility for development to pSS or CREST syndrome/limited SSc unless a prospective study for ACA+ pSS subset is performed.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

However, it is difficult to overcome the mentioned disadvantages of prosthesis.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

In trying to imagine the secret, tough, complex, high-powered negotiations that must have gone into their deal, it is difficult to see Mr. Levin and Mr. Case, not to mention their advisers from Salomon Smith Barney, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter and other bottom-line professionals, pausing to worry about pledges of service to the world.

The New York Times - Arts

Furthermore, it is important to mention that it is difficult to pick a good parameter for fix-size support region approaches as it is highly depends on the input datasets.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

It is difficult to see why, without specific mention, that the presence of such mechanisms should ever allow a relaxation of other statutory obligations – for example those on consent.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Although, as we mentioned, it is difficult to distinguish the monomer and dimer using our theoretical model, we can see that the average of conductance of monomers is above the one of the dimers.

Nanoscale Research Letters

In the above mentioned, it is difficult to ascertain the real IAP value and the impact on IAH management.

Critical Care

As mentioned earlier, it is difficult to pinpoint which family member is the homeowner in a co-resident couple or in an enlarged family.

Genus

BL1 and LV4 also mentioned that it is difficult to distinguish among buttons while BL3 commented that a touch model requires a training phase especially for first-time VI users.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is difficult to mention", consider briefly explaining why the topic is sensitive or complex to provide context for your reader.

Common error

Avoid using "it is difficult to mention" repeatedly without explaining the underlying reasons. This can make your writing seem vague or evasive. Instead, offer specific reasons or insights into the difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is difficult to mention" functions as an introductory expression that signals the speaker or writer is about to address a topic that presents some kind of challenge. It prepares the audience for potentially sensitive or complex information, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it is difficult to mention" is a versatile expression used to introduce topics that are sensitive, complex, or potentially problematic. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. Its usage spans various domains, including science, news, and business, and it serves to prepare the audience for a discussion that may require tact or careful consideration. While the phrase is useful, it's important to provide sufficient context to explain why the topic is difficult to mention, avoiding vagueness and enhancing clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is challenging to bring up

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging" and "mention" with "bring up", slightly altering the tone.

it's hard to bring up

Uses a more informal tone with "hard" instead of "difficult" and "bring up" instead of "mention".

it is tough to bring up

Similar to the previous alternative, replacing "difficult" with "tough" for a slightly stronger emphasis.

it's a sensitive topic to mention

Shifts the focus to the sensitivity of the topic, implying why it's difficult to mention.

it is awkward to mention

Highlights the awkwardness associated with mentioning the topic.

it's best not to mention

Suggests that avoiding the topic is the most prudent course of action.

it's tricky to raise

Uses "tricky" and "raise" to convey the difficulty in initiating the topic.

it is problematic to mention

Emphasizes the potential problems that could arise from mentioning the topic.

it is impolitic to mention

Indicates that mentioning the topic would be tactless or unwise.

it's a can of worms

An idiomatic expression suggesting that mentioning the topic would open up a host of problems.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it is difficult to mention" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "it is challenging to bring up" or "it is problematic to mention", which convey a similar meaning with a higher degree of formality.

What are some common situations where "it is difficult to mention" might be used?

This phrase is often used when discussing sensitive topics, complex issues with many facets, or situations where there may be social or political implications to consider. Examples include discussing personal matters, controversies, or issues with legal ramifications.

Is "it is hard to mention" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it is hard to mention" is grammatically correct, but it is less formal than "it is difficult to mention". The choice between the two depends on the context and the desired level of formality.

What's the difference between "it is difficult to mention" and "it is important to mention"?

"It is difficult to mention" indicates that a topic is challenging to bring up, usually because it's sensitive or complex. "It is important to mention", on the other hand, indicates that a topic should be brought up because it's relevant or necessary, despite any potential difficulties.