it is not easy to determine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is not easy to determine" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a situation or issue that is complex or requires careful consideration to reach a conclusion. Example: "In this case, it is not easy to determine the best course of action without further data."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

However, it is not easy to determine an appropriate rheological model and its corresponding parameters for a certain engineering instance.

Tunnelling and Underground Space Technology

Unfortunately, as the report noted, it is not easy to determine how good execution is.

The New York Times

Even so, Dr. Shah said, it is not easy to determine whether the aid is effective.

The New York Times

Like any circumstantial case, it is not easy to determine what evidence will sway the jury.

The New York Times

It is not easy to determine the nature of music, or why any one should have a knowledge of it.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

When the knock-and-announce rule does apply, it is not easy to determine precisely what officers must do.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

It isn't easy to determine where one category ends and another begins.

The New York Times

And it's not easy to determine exactly which parts are from the temple itself.

Yale University

It's not easy to determine where major hamburger chains buy their beef.

The Washington Post

Unfortunately, it's not easy to determine which one.

Huffington Post

"It was not easy to determine the appropriate stars," Mollet said in a statement.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is not easy to determine", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the determination difficult. Providing specific reasons enhances clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "it is not easy to determine" for situations where the difficulty is self-evident. This can make your writing seem redundant or lacking in substance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is not easy to determine" functions as a hedge, softening a statement by acknowledging the difficulty or uncertainty in reaching a definitive conclusion. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is not easy to determine" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey difficulty or uncertainty in finding something out or arriving at a decision. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, especially in scientific, academic, and news-related content. When using this phrase, ensure you provide context on what causes the difficulty. While versatile, consider alternatives like "it is difficult to ascertain" or "it is challenging to figure out" for nuanced expression. Avoid using it for self-evident situations. The most authoritative sources using this phrase include The New York Times and ScienceDirect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is difficult to ascertain

Changes "easy" to "difficult" and "determine" to "ascertain", emphasizing the challenge of finding something out.

it is challenging to figure out

Replaces "easy" with "challenging" and "determine" with "figure out", highlighting the demanding nature of understanding something.

it is hard to establish

Substitutes "easy" with "hard" and "determine" with "establish", focusing on the difficulty of proving or confirming something.

it is no simple matter to find out

Emphasizes the complexity involved in discovering or learning something, replacing "easy" with "simple matter" and "determine" with "find out".

it is problematic to pinpoint

Highlights issues in accurately identifying something, replacing "easy" with "problematic" and "determine" with "pinpoint".

it's not straightforward to identify

Replaces "easy" with "straightforward" and "determine" with "identify", indicating a lack of simplicity in recognizing something.

it proves difficult to resolve

Focuses on the hardship in solving a problem, substituting "easy" with "difficult" and "determine" with "resolve".

it's tough to work out

Uses a more informal tone with "tough" and "work out", suggesting a demanding effort to understand something.

it isn't always clear how to judge

Replaces "easy" with "clear" and "determine" with "judge", focusing on ambiguity in evaluating something.

it remains uncertain

Indicates a lack of certainty in a situation, replacing the entire phrase with a more concise expression of uncertainty.

FAQs

How can I use "it is not easy to determine" in a sentence?

Use "it is not easy to determine" when you want to express that finding a solution or answer is challenging. For instance, "it is not easy to determine the best course of action without further data".

What can I say instead of "it is not easy to determine"?

You can use alternatives like "it is difficult to ascertain", "it is challenging to figure out", or "it is hard to establish" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it is not easy to determine" or "it isn't easy to determine"?

Both "it is not easy to determine" and "it isn't easy to determine" are grammatically correct. The latter is a contraction and is more informal.

What's the difference between "it is not easy to determine" and "it is impossible to determine"?

"It is not easy to determine" suggests that something is difficult but potentially achievable with effort. "It is impossible to determine" implies that something cannot be determined under any circumstances.