it is hard to understand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is hard to understand" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to express difficulty in comprehending something or someone's actions, thoughts, or words. It can also be used to acknowledge that a concept or idea is complex or confusing. Example: "I read the article multiple times, but it is still hard to understand the author's main argument."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is hard to understand the puzzlement.

The New Yorker

It is hard to understand their logic".

The Guardian - Business

It is hard to understand why.

The New Yorker

It is hard to understand how radical that thought was.

The New York Times

It is hard to understand him at high-intensity moments.

The New York Times

"It is hard to understand what has really happened".

The New York Times

"It is hard to understand what these women and children were doing there".

Independent

It is hard to understand why Zalkalns served only seven years for this appalling crime.

Independent

"On this basis," he said, "it is hard to understand the commissioner's action today".

The New York Times - Sports

"It is hard to understand what success would mean for A.I.," he told me.

The New Yorker

It is hard to understand what would motivate people to do such a thing.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "it is hard to understand" with more specific language, such as "the rationale is unclear" or "the concept is complex", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "it is hard to understand" as a generic statement without explaining why it is difficult. Provide specific reasons or examples to support your claim and guide the reader's understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is hard to understand" functions as a statement expressing difficulty in comprehension. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It serves to convey a lack of clarity or an obstacle to understanding a particular subject, idea, or action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is hard to understand" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to convey difficulty in comprehending something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you provide enough context to clarify what exactly is difficult to understand. Consider replacing it with synonyms like "it's difficult to grasp" or "it's challenging to comprehend" for variety and to convey specific nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It's difficult to grasp

Replaces "hard to understand" with a more informal synonym for 'understand'.

It's challenging to comprehend

Substitutes "hard" with "challenging" and "understand" with "comprehend" implying a demanding cognitive effort.

It's not easy to figure out

Uses a more conversational tone, focusing on the act of discovering or solving.

It's tough to make sense of

Emphasizes the struggle to find a logical or coherent meaning.

I find it difficult to understand

Shifts the focus to a personal perspective of difficulty.

It remains unclear

Indicates a lack of clarity or resolution regarding a topic.

The rationale is obscure

Highlights that the reasoning behind something is not easily apparent.

The reasoning is elusive

Highlights that the logical flow behind something is not easily apparent.

It defies explanation

Suggests that something is so perplexing that it cannot be explained.

It's beyond my comprehension

Indicates that something exceeds one's ability to understand.

FAQs

How can I use "it is hard to understand" in a sentence?

You can use "it is hard to understand" to express difficulty in comprehending something. For example: "It is hard to understand why he made that decision."

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

Alternatives include phrases like "it is difficult to grasp", "it is challenging to comprehend", or "it is not easy to figure out", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it's hard to understand" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it's hard to understand" is a grammatically correct contraction of "it is hard to understand" and is perfectly acceptable in both formal and informal writing.

What's the difference between "it is hard to understand" and "it is difficult to understand"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "it is hard to understand" is slightly more informal than "it is difficult to understand". The choice depends on the desired tone of your writing.