it is not easy to understand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is not easy to understand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a concept, idea, or text that may be complex or difficult for someone to grasp. Example: "The theory presented in the article is quite intricate, and it is not easy to understand without prior knowledge of the subject."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Kelly takes a side-swipe at JP Morgan Cazenove, which advised on the Britannia deal, saying "it is not easy to understand" how it came to the view that the due diligence undertaken by KPMG "exceeded that normally undertaken for listed companies," which is what the board minutes record the investment bank as having said.

The Guardian - Business

Now we have to face a new and largely unknown organization, with a loose system and hidden connections, so it is not easy to understand its internal functioning.

The New Yorker

Without identification of these TRPs, it is not easy to understand how a TF regulates its indirect targets.

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

It is not easy to understand why we have been in retreat from a communal acknowledgment of tragedy in our view of ourselves and the world we inhabit.

The New York Times

Privacy risks are very real for some "interconnected" toys but, unfortunately, it is not easy to understand privacy policies – even for a lawyer like me.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is not easy to understand why Carchemish, which controlled the Euphrates crossings, was allowed to retain its independence and Wassukkani, somewhere to the east on the headwaters of the Khābūr River, to remain untenanted.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

It's not easy to understand what will happen.

The Guardian - Film

"but it's not easy to understand, so many commentators haven't been focusing on it".

The New York Times

"It's not easy to understand this.

TechCrunch

Certainly the reasons for it were not easy to understand.

BBC

"Cryptography isn't easy and the concepts behind it are not easy to understand.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is not easy to understand", ensure the context clearly indicates what specifically is difficult to understand. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it is not easy to understand" as a vague statement without specifying what makes something difficult to understand. Instead, provide specific reasons or examples to support your claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is not easy to understand" functions as a subjective assessment of the difficulty associated with comprehending a particular subject, concept, or idea. Ludwig indicates this through various examples, highlighting its prevalent use in expressing challenges in comprehension.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Science

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it is not easy to understand" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression indicating difficulty in comprehending something. Ludwig's analysis, supported by real-world examples, shows that it's most commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While simple and widely applicable, clarity is key; specify what makes the subject difficult to grasp to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "it is difficult to comprehend" or "it is challenging to grasp" can add nuance, depending on the specific context. Overall, this phrase is a reliable way to acknowledge complexity, as confirmed by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is difficult to comprehend

Replaces "easy" with "difficult" and "understand" with "comprehend", emphasizing the difficulty.

it is challenging to grasp

Uses "challenging" instead of "not easy" and "grasp" instead of "understand", highlighting the demanding nature of comprehension.

it is hard to fathom

Substitutes "hard" for "not easy" and "fathom" for "understand", suggesting a deeper level of difficulty in understanding.

it is complex to decipher

Employs "complex" in place of "not easy" and "decipher" instead of "understand", indicating a complicated nature requiring interpretation.

it is not readily apparent

Focuses on the lack of immediate clarity rather than the difficulty in understanding, implying that the information is not obvious.

it is obscure to me

Indicates a personal lack of understanding, where "obscure" means unclear or vague to the speaker.

it eludes my understanding

Highlights that something escapes one's ability to understand, suggesting a more elusive quality.

it is beyond my ken

Replaces "understand" with "ken", implying that something is outside one's range of knowledge or understanding.

understanding it is an uphill battle

Uses a metaphorical expression to convey the struggle and difficulty in understanding something.

it's a tough nut to crack

Employs an idiomatic expression to describe something difficult to understand or solve.

FAQs

What does "it is not easy to understand" mean?

The phrase "it is not easy to understand" means that something is difficult to comprehend or grasp. It suggests that understanding requires effort or may be beyond someone's current knowledge.

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

You can use "it is not easy to understand" when explaining why a concept, process, or situation is complex. For example, "The quantum physics theory is quite intricate, and "it is not easy to understand" without a strong background in mathematics."

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

You can use alternatives like "it is difficult to comprehend", "it is challenging to grasp", or "it is hard to fathom" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "it is not easy to understand" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it is not easy to understand" is grammatically correct and follows standard English syntax. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples from reliable sources.