it is hard to identify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is hard to identify" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that is difficult to recognize, determine, or understand. Example: "In complex situations, it is hard to identify the root cause of the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Though, C S H is considered as the main contributor to the compressive strength of mortar/concrete, but because of its near amorphous nature, it is hard to identify through XRD analysis.

International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials

If by identity politics we mean the idea that politicians should consider—"cater to" is the usual phrase identifiable (or self-identified) groups, well, it is hard to identify a time when that hasn't happened.

The New Yorker

By Adam Gopnik December 2, 2016 If by identity politics we mean the idea that politicians should consider identifiable groups — well, it is hard to identify a time when that hasn't happened.

The New Yorker

Today, it is hard to identify their successors.

The New Yorker

But it is hard to identify what will change and from where the money will come.

The Guardian

It is hard to identify when a country is entering a downturn.

The Guardian - Opinion

First, he said, it is hard to identify anything positive Mr. Alvarez contributed to any debate.

The New York Times

It is hard to identify other consumer products where people get so passionate.

The New York Times

And it is hard to identify in daily operations, experts said.

The New York Times

Often, there is so much debris that it is hard to identify which wreck is which.

The Economist

Yet it is hard to identify the impact they or any of today's social-media giants have had on productivity.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is hard to identify", be specific about what makes the identification difficult. Providing context enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "it is hard to identify" without explaining the specific context or reason for the difficulty. This can lead to vagueness and reduce the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is hard to identify" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing difficulty in recognizing or determining something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The examples in Ludwig demonstrate its common use across various contexts to denote challenges in perception and discernment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

46%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is hard to identify" is a versatile phrase used to express difficulty in recognizing or pinpointing something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. To enhance your writing, remember to provide specific reasons for the difficulty. While generally neutral in tone, more formal alternatives like "it's challenging to discern" can elevate the sophistication of your prose. By avoiding overgeneralizations and providing sufficient context, you'll ensure clarity and impact when using this common phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's challenging to discern

Replaces "hard" with "challenging" and "identify" with "discern", highlighting the difficulty in perceiving or distinguishing something.

it's difficult to pinpoint

Uses "difficult" as a synonym for "hard" and "pinpoint" to suggest locating or identifying with precision.

it's not easy to determine

Emphasizes the lack of ease in establishing or ascertaining something.

it's tough to recognize

Substitutes "hard" with "tough" and "identify" with "recognize", indicating a struggle to perceive or acknowledge.

it's problematic to detect

Highlights the issues associated with finding or noticing something.

it's not straightforward to ascertain

Indicates that the process of finding something is not simple.

it's obscure to perceive

Suggests that something is not easily or clearly seen, or understood.

discovering it presents a challenge

Rephrases the difficulty as an obstacle, placing emphasis on the problematic nature of the act.

locating it is troublesome

Highlights the inconvenience or difficulty of finding something.

ascertaining it poses difficulties

Indicates that there are difficulties or obstacles present to finding something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it is hard to identify"?

You can use alternatives like "it's challenging to discern", "it's difficult to pinpoint", or "it's not easy to determine" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does "it is hard to identify" mean?

The phrase "it is hard to identify" means that something is difficult to recognize, detect, or distinguish. The level of difficulty can range from subtle challenges to near impossibility.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "it is hard to identify"?

Use "it is hard to identify" when you want to express that recognizing or pinpointing something presents considerable difficulty. This can be due to various factors like complexity, obscurity, or lack of available data.

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

The phrase "it is hard to identify" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in more formal writing, consider using synonyms such as "it's challenging to discern" or "it's difficult to pinpoint" for added precision.