it is not easy to specify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is not easy to specify" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a topic or concept that is complex or difficult to define clearly. Example: "When it comes to the exact causes of climate change, it is not easy to specify the contributing factors."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is not easy to specify any relation among unified contents or acts of experiencing (beyond their being unified) that is required for them to be unified.

SEP

In view of technical limitations and possible multiple steps necessary for "visible" LD formation, it is not easy to specify where in the process a particular factor(s) is involved.

Histochemistry and Cell Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

For example, it is not easy to automatically specify a single sequence identity for each molecule name that appears in the scientific literature.

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

Evidently, it did not occur to the Brandeis administration that it is not easy to discuss or critique use of a word without specifying that word.

HuffPost

It is not easy.

Cornell University

It might be that the specifying mechanical variables are not easy to exploit and that perceivers vary in their ability to detect them.

Attention, Perception & Psychophysics

When you think about it, that's not surprising: It isn't easy for customers to accurately specify their needs for solutions that don't yet exist.

Harvard Business Review

It is important to remark that it is not always easy to specify an adequate model in presence of time dependent covariate effects.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

It isn't easy.

BMC Medical Education

"It's not easy.

Harvard University

It was not easy.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is not easy to specify", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is difficult to define or identify. Providing examples or outlining the complexities involved can enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "it is not easy to specify" without providing specific context about what you are trying to define or identify. Without context, the statement becomes vague and uninformative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is not easy to specify" functions as a qualifier, introducing a statement about the inherent difficulty in defining, identifying, or articulating something precisely. It sets the stage for a discussion of complexities or limitations, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is not easy to specify" serves as a useful phrase to introduce concepts that are difficult to define with precision. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically sound and acceptable for use in a variety of contexts. While its frequency is considered uncommon, it appears across diverse fields such as science, news media, and academia. For enhanced clarity, ensure that you always provide specific context when using this phrase to avoid vagueness. By understanding its function, purpose, register, and common errors, you can effectively incorporate "it is not easy to specify" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is difficult to define

Replaces "easy" with "difficult", emphasizing the challenge of definition.

it is hard to pinpoint

Uses "hard to pinpoint" to highlight the difficulty in identifying something precisely.

it is challenging to determine

Employs "challenging to determine" to convey the effort required for identification.

it is not straightforward to identify

Uses "not straightforward" to indicate complexity in identifying something.

it is complex to delineate

Replaces "easy" with "complex" and "specify" with "delineate" to suggest a more intricate process.

it is problematic to articulate

Highlights the difficulty in expressing something clearly with "problematic to articulate".

it is not simple to characterize

Uses "not simple" to denote a lack of ease in characterizing something.

it is intricate to lay out

Implies a detailed and complicated process of explaining something with "intricate to lay out".

it is tough to ascertain

Conveys the difficulty in confirming or establishing something with "tough to ascertain".

it is demanding to establish

Indicates that establishing something requires significant effort and rigor.

FAQs

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

Use "it is not easy to specify" to introduce a concept or situation that lacks clear definition or is challenging to describe precisely. For example: "When it comes to the exact causes of climate change, "it is not easy to specify" the contributing factors".

What are some alternatives to "it is not easy to specify"?

You can use alternatives like "it is difficult to define", "it is hard to pinpoint", or "it is challenging to determine" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "it is not easy to specify" or "it is difficult to specify"?

Both "it is not easy to specify" and "it is difficult to specify" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on stylistic preference, though "difficult" may be perceived as slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "it is not easy to specify" and "it is not possible to specify"?

"It is not easy to specify" implies a challenge or difficulty in defining something, while "it is not possible to specify" suggests that it is entirely unfeasible or impossible to define it.