it is difficult to refine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is difficult to refine" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing challenges or complexities involved in improving or perfecting something. Example: "In the early stages of the project, it is difficult to refine the initial concepts into a cohesive plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is difficult to refine the Bre2DBM because there is always some discontinuous residual density around the DBM peptide in the electronic density difference map for the final model.

Protein & Cell

It is difficult to refine a target population for recruitment to the programme on the basis of results reported herein, but larger scale studies might help to identify patients who are likely to remain in the intervention and benefit from it.

BMC Endocrine Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But the oil is difficult to refine, and the huge investment required is hampered by the government's insistence on overvaluing the bolívar.

The Economist

(See "The Case For $80 A Barrel Oil") According to Global Insight's Ciszuk, even a large increase from the desert kingdom would not necessarily be a boon the oil would be heavy, sour crude, which is difficult to refine and is currently trading at a big discount.

Forbes

The bill was opposed by Mint Director Robert Patterson, as it would be difficult to refine the silver from melted-down pieces.

Wikipedia

It would be difficult to refine this assessment into a quantitative metric of model value, but as a screening tool it is credible to assess that three of the models did not pass the eco-plausibility test (Table 2).

Plosone

The ores were low-grade, often varied in content, and were difficult to refine.

Encyclopedia Britannica

With the limited number of confirmed cases of diabetes and lack of follow up after elevated RBS, it is difficult to utilize this feasibility assessment to refine the cutoff values for diabetes referral.

Globalization and Health

It is difficult to separate petrochemical production from fuels refining.

Applied Petrochemical Research

It is difficult to watch.

The Guardian

It is difficult to doubt him.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is difficult to refine", ensure that the context clearly specifies what is being refined and why it poses a challenge. This provides clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "it is difficult to refine" without providing specific examples or reasons. Vague statements can weaken your writing; instead, illustrate the difficulties with concrete details.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is difficult to refine" functions as an expressive statement used to convey the challenge or complexity involved in the process of improvement or precision. This reflects Ludwig AI's identification of the phrase as grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is difficult to refine" serves to express the inherent challenges involved in improving something, as supported by Ludwig's assessment. It is deemed grammatically correct and appears across diverse sources, including science, news, and encyclopedias. The phrase conveys a sense of acknowledging complexity and managing expectations, making it suitable for professional and scientific discourse. Recognizing common errors like overgeneralization can enhance the clarity and impact of your writing when using this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is challenging to perfect

Emphasizes the demanding nature of achieving flawlessness.

it is hard to fine-tune

Highlights the difficulty in making precise adjustments.

it is tough to streamline

Focuses on the effort required to make a process more efficient.

it is problematic to hone

Indicates issues with sharpening or improving skills or processes.

it is intricate to calibrate

Highlights the complexity involved in accurate measurement and adjustment.

it is complex to improve

Emphasizes the multifaceted nature of the enhancement process.

it is laborious to polish

Stresses the hard work needed to refine something to a high standard.

it is demanding to tweak

Underlines the rigor of making small but important adjustments.

it is troublesome to adjust

Highlights the problems and difficulties of making changes.

it is awkward to modulate

Indicates a lack of ease and smoothness in making alterations.

FAQs

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

Use "it is difficult to refine" when you want to express that something requires precision or is challenging to improve. For example, "It is difficult to refine the model without more data."

What phrases can I use instead of "it is difficult to refine"?

You can use alternatives like "it is challenging to perfect", "it is hard to fine-tune", or "it is tough to streamline" depending on the context.

What makes refining something difficult?

Refining something can be difficult due to various factors such as limited resources, incomplete data, complex processes, or conflicting objectives. It depends heavily on the context.

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

Yes, "it's difficult to refine" is grammatically correct. "It's" is simply a contraction of "it is". Both forms are acceptable, but "it's" is slightly less formal.