it is difficult to understand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is difficult to understand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something is hard to comprehend or grasp. Example: "The instructions were so convoluted that it is difficult to understand what is required."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

It is difficult to understand the league without understanding the C.B.A. first.

The New York Times - Sports

Pellegrini said: "It is difficult to understand why we played so low a performance.

Independent

Without one, it is difficult to understand the mechanisms behind its action and address its effects.

Bone and Joint Research

"It is difficult to understand how the D.O.E.

The New York Times

It is difficult to understand why anyone enjoys interacting with her.

The New York Times

"Whoever wins, it is difficult to understand how they will provide different answers".

The Guardian - Business

It is difficult to understand your position on citizenship for illegal immigrants.

The New York Times

It is difficult to understand why this report was so long in the making.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It is difficult to understand the ecological damage that this is purported to cause.

The Guardian - Business

It is difficult to understand what could have changed in all that time.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is difficult to understand how any civilized govern ment could take exception to that idea.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is difficult to understand", ensure that the subject you are referring to is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "It is difficult to understand", specify "It is difficult to understand the new policy without further clarification".

Common error

Avoid using "it is difficult to understand" in sentences that are already convoluted. Simplify the sentence structure first to improve clarity before using the phrase, as it can exacerbate confusion if the surrounding context is unclear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is difficult to understand" functions as an evaluative expression, indicating a subjective assessment of the comprehensibility of something. It introduces a statement about the degree of effort or complexity involved in grasping a concept or idea. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is difficult to understand" is a versatile expression used to convey a challenge in comprehension across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. Analysis of usage patterns reveals its prevalence in news, scientific, and formal business domains. While alternatives exist to provide nuanced expressions of similar ideas, "it is difficult to understand" remains a clear and commonly used phrase for indicating a lack of easy understanding. When employing this phrase, clarity and context are key to ensuring effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is hard to grasp

Uses "hard" instead of "difficult", implying a similar level of challenge in understanding.

it is challenging to comprehend

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging" and "understand" with "comprehend", suggesting a slightly more formal tone.

it is not easy to see

Emphasizes the lack of ease in perceiving or understanding something.

it is tough to make sense of

Uses "tough" and "make sense of" to convey the difficulty in understanding.

it is perplexing

Replaces the entire phrase with a single adjective indicating confusion and difficulty in understanding.

it remains unclear

Focuses on the lack of clarity and understanding.

understanding it is a struggle

Highlights the effort required to understand something.

it defies comprehension

Indicates that something is beyond the ability to be understood.

it's a mystery

Suggests that the reason or explanation is unknown or impossible to discover, so difficult to understand.

the reasons are obscure

Indicates that the reasons behind something are vague or not easily discovered, so difficult to understand.

FAQs

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

You can use "it is difficult to understand" to express a lack of comprehension. For example, "It is difficult to understand the instructions without a visual aid" or "It is difficult to understand his reasoning in this situation".

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

Alternatives include phrases like "it is hard to grasp", "it is challenging to comprehend", or "it is not easy to see", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "it is difficult to understand" or "it is hard to understand"?

Both "it is difficult to understand" and "it is hard to understand" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "Difficult" is often perceived as slightly more formal than "hard", but they are largely interchangeable.

When should I use "it is difficult to understand" versus "it is impossible to understand"?

"It is difficult to understand" suggests a challenge in comprehension, while "it is impossible to understand" implies that understanding is completely unattainable. Use "impossible" when something is truly beyond comprehension, and "difficult" when understanding requires significant effort.