it is hard to devise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is hard to devise" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the difficulty of creating or formulating something, such as a plan, idea, or solution. Example: "In this complex situation, it is hard to devise a strategy that satisfies all parties involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

So it is hard to devise accurate models.

The Economist

Members of Congress say it is hard to devise a new department without knowing the strategy it is meant to pursue.

The New York Times

Our main concern is that it is hard to devise an appropriate control here.

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The problem is that it's hard to devise experiments to test this, said Eric J. Johnson, a psychologist at the Columbia Business School who was not involved in the study.

Los Angeles Times

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK 'Before you really have a lot of the scars, you don't really know what's that dangerous.' Tampa Bay Coach GREG SCHIANO, when asked whether it was harder to devise a game plan against a quarterback making his first N.F.L. start like the Jets' Geno Smith.

The New York Times - Sports

It would be hard to devise a more wasteful, damaging, unsustainable system.

The New York Times

It would be hard to devise a surer formula for economic catastrophe.

The Economist

In particular, it has been hard to devise projects for management majors.

The New York Times

It would be hard to devise a more apt symbol of the unsettled present of the orchestra and the two halls than this intermingling, whether so intended or (most likely) not.

The New York Times - Arts

That's a lot of money, and it wouldn't be hard to devise taxes that would raise a significant amount of revenue from those super-high-income individuals.

The New York Times

A fairer and more humane system of entry would not be hard to devise.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is hard to devise", ensure the context clearly specifies what is proving difficult to create or plan. Be specific about the object of the verb 'devise'.

Common error

Avoid using "it is hard to devise" in overly broad contexts without specifying what makes the devising process challenging. Provide specific details to enhance clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is hard to devise" functions as an expression of difficulty or challenge in creating or formulating something. It serves to introduce the inherent obstacles in a specific task, similar to examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is hard to devise" is a phrase used to express the difficulty in creating or formulating something. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. While not extremely common, it appears more frequently in news, media, and scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly specify what is challenging to create or plan to avoid overgeneralization. For alternative expressions, consider phrases like "it is challenging to create" or "it is difficult to formulate" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is challenging to create

Replaces "hard" with "challenging" and "devise" with "create", emphasizing the difficulty in a more active way.

it is difficult to formulate

Substitutes "hard" with "difficult" and "devise" with "formulate", highlighting the complexity of developing something.

it is tough to come up with

Uses more informal language, replacing "hard" with "tough" and "devise" with the phrasal verb "come up with".

it is not easy to develop

Emphasizes the lack of ease in developing something, using a more direct negation.

it is problematic to design

Replaces "hard" with "problematic" and "devise" with "design", focusing on the issues involved in the design process.

it is complex to conceive

Highlights the complexity of conceiving an idea or plan, replacing "hard" with "complex" and "devise" with "conceive".

it is arduous to construct

Uses more formal language, replacing "hard" with "arduous" and "devise" with "construct", stressing the effort required.

it is laborious to invent

Similar to 'arduous to construct', this phrase highlights the effort involved. "Laborious" replaced "hard" and "invent" replaced "devise".

it is demanding to imagine

Replaces "hard" with "demanding" and "devise" with "imagine", shifting the focus to the mental effort required.

it is a struggle to create

Replaces the entire phrase to describe the action as a struggle, emphasizing the overall effort involved.

FAQs

What does "it is hard to devise" mean?

The phrase "it is hard to devise" means that it is difficult to create, plan, or invent something, typically due to complexity or lack of information.

What can I say instead of "it is hard to devise"?

You can use alternatives like "it is challenging to create", "it is difficult to formulate", or "it is tough to come up with" depending on the context.

How to use "it is hard to devise" in a sentence?

Example usage: "In this complex situation, it is hard to devise a strategy that satisfies all parties involved".

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

The phrase "it is hard to devise" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. More informal alternatives exist, such as "it's tough to come up with".