it is hard to decide

USAGE SUMMARY

'it is hard to decide' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to express difficulty in choosing between two or more options. Example: "I can't decide whether to get the red dress or the blue one; it is hard to decide."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Books

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

It is hard to decide which is more important".

The Guardian

It is hard to decide how much to raise interest rates to check asset-price inflation.

The Economist

It is hard to decide which catalog presents a more frightening, if hilarious, set of symptoms.

The New York Times - Arts

It is  hard to decide which is less edifying: the bathroom or my reflection.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is hard to decide what part of him came first.

The Guardian - Books

When many forces, with the same frequency, act on one vibrating structure, it is hard to decide which one should be improved.

Engineering Analysis with Boundary Elements

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

It's hard to decide.

The New York Times - Books

It was hard to decide what criteria to look for.

Stanford University

It's hard to decide which is sillier: naming a state rock, or un-naming it.

The New York Times

Mr Yoshizawa said it was hard to decide what to do.

The Economist

It's hard to decide whether this is the start of a brilliant career.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is hard to decide", ensure that the options being considered are clearly stated or implied within the context of the sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "it is hard to decide" without specifying what the difficulty pertains to. Provide context to clarify the decision being contemplated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is hard to decide" functions as a statement expressing difficulty or uncertainty in making a choice. It introduces a situation where a clear preference or decision is not easily reached, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

22%

Books

11%

Less common in

Arts

9%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it is hard to decide" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey difficulty in making a choice. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is suitable for various writing contexts. It appears most commonly in News & Media sources, followed by Science and Books. To enhance clarity, ensure the options being considered are clearly defined. Alternatives such as "it's difficult to determine" or "it's a tough call" can be employed based on the desired level of formality. Remember to specify the decision being contemplated to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's a difficult choice to make

Explicitly frames the situation as involving a difficult choice.

it's not easy to choose

Simple and direct way of saying that the selection process is not straightforward.

it's difficult to determine

Emphasizes the difficulty in ascertaining or establishing something definitively.

it's hard to know

Expresses uncertainty and a lack of information, making a decision difficult.

it's a tough call

Informal expression indicating that the decision is finely balanced and difficult.

it's unclear which option is best

Highlights the ambiguity in determining the optimal course of action.

it's challenging to resolve

Highlights the complexity involved in finding a solution or making a decision.

the answer is not obvious

Indicates that the solution or decision is not immediately apparent.

it remains uncertain

Focuses on the lack of clarity or certainty surrounding the decision.

it's debatable

Suggests that there are valid arguments on both sides, making a decision difficult.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it is hard to decide" in formal writing?

In formal contexts, you can use phrases like "it is difficult to determine", "it is challenging to resolve", or "the optimal choice is unclear".

What does "it is hard to decide" mean?

The phrase "it is hard to decide" expresses the difficulty of making a choice between two or more options, indicating that the decision is not straightforward.

Is "it is hard to decide" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it is hard to decide" is grammatically correct and widely accepted in English.

What are some informal alternatives to "it is hard to decide"?

Informal alternatives include phrases like "it's a tough call", "it's not easy to choose", or "I can't make up my mind".