it is hard to explain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is hard to explain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to convey that something is difficult to articulate or clarify. Example: "When it comes to my feelings about the situation, it is hard to explain why I feel this way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is hard to explain its appearance.

Environmental Systems Research

It is hard to explain.

The New York Times

It is hard to explain the defeat.

Independent

It is hard to explain what has happened.

The Guardian - Sport

"It is hard to explain, thinking about it.

The Guardian - Business

"It is hard to explain what happened in our opening game.

Independent

She says it is hard "to explain to our patrons why we don't have something".

The New York Times

It is hard to explain, but Novak agreeably tried to after Thursday's team practice.

The New York Times - Sports

It is hard to explain to anyone who has not travelled on foot.

The New Yorker

It is hard to explain exactly why it was so compelling.

The New York Times - Arts

It is hard to explain just how risky and expensive drug development is.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is hard to explain", ensure you provide some context or indication as to why it is difficult to explain. This adds depth and prevents the statement from sounding like a simple cop-out. For example: "It is hard to explain the feeling of accomplishment after finishing a marathon, but it's a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration."

Common error

Avoid using "it is hard to explain" as a lazy way to avoid providing an explanation altogether. Instead, offer some insights or details, even if you can't fully articulate the concept. For instance, instead of just saying "It is hard to explain why I like this song", you could add "...but it resonates with me on an emotional level."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is hard to explain" functions as a commentary adverbial, expressing a speaker or writer's difficulty in articulating or clarifying a particular point. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is commonly used to introduce an idea that is complex, nuanced, or emotionally driven.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is hard to explain" is a versatile phrase used to acknowledge the difficulty in articulating a concept. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. It appears frequently across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business writing. While perfectly acceptable, it's important to provide some level of explanation, however partial, to avoid sounding evasive. Consider using alternatives like "it is difficult to articulate" or "it is challenging to describe" for variety. Remember to offer some context to enhance clarity and engagement. The usage patterns and authoritative sources analyzed by Ludwig indicate the phrase's prevalence and reliability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's difficult to articulate

Replaces "hard" with "difficult" and "explain" with "articulate", focusing on the challenge of expressing something clearly.

it's challenging to describe

Substitutes "hard" with "challenging" and "explain" with "describe", highlighting the demanding nature of conveying something.

it's tough to elucidate

Replaces "hard" with "tough" and "explain" with "elucidate", emphasizing the laboriousness in making something clear.

it's not easy to clarify

Uses a negative construction, focusing on the lack of ease in making something understandable.

it's a complex matter to convey

Highlights the complexity involved in communicating a particular idea or situation.

it defies simple explanation

Emphasizes that the subject is beyond a straightforward or uncomplicated explanation.

it's beyond easy comprehension

Focuses on the idea that the subject is difficult to grasp or understand.

the reasons are obscure

Shifts the focus to the obscurity of the reasons behind something, implying difficulty in explaining them.

the rationale is elusive

Highlights the evasiveness of the rationale, suggesting it's hard to pinpoint and explain.

it's hard to put into words

Focuses on the difficulty in verbally expressing something, rather than explaining it logically.

FAQs

What does "it is hard to explain" mean?

The phrase "it is hard to explain" indicates that something is difficult to articulate, clarify, or make understandable due to its complexity, subtlety, or emotional nature.

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

You can use alternatives like "it is difficult to articulate", "it is challenging to describe", or "it defies simple explanation depending on the specific context.

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

You can use "it is hard to explain" to introduce a reason, feeling, or concept that is not easily conveyed. For example, "It is hard to explain the impact of the pandemic on small businesses, but many have been forced to close."

Is it ever incorrect to use "it is hard to explain"?

While grammatically correct, overusing "it is hard to explain" without providing any further context or insight can weaken your writing. Strive to offer some level of explanation, even if partial, to add value and clarity.