it is hard to count

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is hard to count" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing difficulty in quantifying or tallying something, whether it be numbers, items, or experiences. Example: "When it comes to the number of times I've moved, it is hard to count."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

It is hard to count.

The New Yorker

Despite the recent struggles, it is hard to count Nintendo out completely.

The New York Times - Tech

While it is hard to count marine populations accurately, strandings "can be a proxy" says Deaville.

The Guardian

The state has only had one Republican senator since reconstruction, and it is hard to count out a savvy Democrat.

The New York Times

While it is hard to count him out, he has also struggled in the only two games in which Texas played a capable opponent this season.

The New York Times - Sports

There were all the empty "Assad must step down" comments, and it is hard to count how many times we were told "Assad's days are numbered" – 1,720 days since the uprising began, in fact.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Services, now roughly two-thirds of the economy, are especially neglected by statisticians, perhaps because it is harder to count the output of an IT specialist, say, than that of a gold-miner.

The Economist

This has always been the role of public health but its contribution is unseen and unsexy; it's hard to count a teenager who didn't take up smoking or binge drinking and no one comes by to thank you for saving them from a lifetime of addiction.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was hard to count the low points.

The New York Times - Magazine

The smoke was so thick after the blast that it was hard to count the dead.

The New York Times

Really, it's hard to count the questions this line raises.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "it is hard to count", ensure the context clearly identifies what is difficult to count, whether it's a tangible object, abstract concept, or frequent occurrence.

Common error

Avoid using "it is hard to count" without specifying what is hard to count. A sentence like "It is hard to count, so we won't bother" lacks clarity. Instead, provide context: "It is hard to count the exact number of stars visible to the naked eye, so astronomers use estimations".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is hard to count" primarily functions as a statement expressing difficulty in quantifying or enumerating something. It uses an impersonal construction ("it is") followed by an adjective ("hard") and an infinitive verb ("to count"). Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

16%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it is hard to count" is a grammatically correct and generally accepted way to express difficulty in quantifying something, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While suitable for various contexts, including news and general writing, more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "it's difficult to quantify". The key is to ensure clear context regarding what is challenging to count. The register is generally neutral. Although suitable for news articles or blog contents, be aware of a possible more concise expression of the same concept when more formality is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's difficult to quantify

Replaces "hard" with "difficult" and uses the more formal term "quantify" instead of "count".

it's challenging to tally

Substitutes "hard" with "challenging" and "count" with "tally", offering a slightly different nuance.

it's tough to enumerate

Employs "tough" instead of "hard" and "enumerate" for "count", suggesting a laborious counting process.

it's nearly impossible to count

Adds emphasis by stating it's "nearly impossible", conveying a higher degree of difficulty.

counting them is a real challenge

Rephrases to emphasize the act of counting as the central challenge.

the number is hard to determine

Shifts focus to determining the number itself, rather than the act of counting.

it defies accurate counting

Uses stronger language to indicate that the situation is beyond accurate measurement.

the exact number is elusive

Focuses on the elusiveness of the exact number, implying it's difficult to pinpoint.

it's beyond calculation

Indicates that the quantity is so large or complex that it cannot be calculated.

accurate figures are unattainable

States directly that getting accurate figures or numbers is not possible.

FAQs

What does "it is hard to count" mean?

The phrase "it is hard to count" means that something is difficult or nearly impossible to enumerate, tally, or quantify, often due to its large number, complexity, or lack of clear boundaries.

What are some alternatives to "it is hard to count"?

You can use alternatives like "it's difficult to quantify", "it's challenging to tally", or "it's tough to enumerate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey".

How do I use "it is hard to count" in a sentence?

Use "it is hard to count" when you want to express that something is challenging to enumerate or quantify. For example, "It is hard to count the number of times he has been late this month."

Is "it is hard to count" formal or informal?

The phrase "it is hard to count" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives such as "it is difficult to quantify" might be preferable in academic or professional writing.