it was difficult to ascertain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was difficult to ascertain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing challenges in determining or discovering information or facts. Example: "During the investigation, it was difficult to ascertain the true motives behind the actions of the suspects."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

In some cases it was difficult to ascertain how or if the WA DOH programs had used results of BRFSS questions they had requested because the program staff had changed and there was little or no documentation to show that the data had been analyzed or used.

Environmental Health Perspectives

In the end, though, it was difficult to ascertain which players might have elevated their stock.

The New York Times - Sports

It was difficult to ascertain who was bidding--horse collectors gesture discreetly, to avoid arousing the competition.

The New Yorker

It was difficult to ascertain the precise toll in Jos, the scene of frequent religious violence over the past decade.

The New York Times

But several white-collar criminal defense lawyers said that it was difficult to ascertain Mr. Martoma's intentions in changing counsel.

The New York Times

Schumann's presence was dictated by his current anniversary ­celebrations, but it was difficult to ascertain any particular logic behind the rest of the programme.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Another team official, however, acknowledged it's difficult to ascertain what Rendon is thinking.

The Washington Post

It is difficult to ascertain from the volunteers which ones might seek such a role.

The New York Times

It is difficult to ascertain whether this strategy has been successful.

The New York Times - Sports

It is difficult to ascertain how many people are dead or have been rescued.

The New York Times

It is increasingly utilized in health professional education; however, it is difficult to ascertain effectiveness.

International Journal of Nursing Studies

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was difficult to ascertain", ensure that the reason for the difficulty is either explicitly stated or easily inferred from the context. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "it was difficult to ascertain" in situations where simpler phrases like "it was hard to tell" or "it was unclear" would suffice. The phrase is best suited for contexts where a more formal or technical tone is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was difficult to ascertain" functions as an impersonal construction expressing a challenge in determining or establishing something. This usage is supported by various examples in Ludwig, where it appears in contexts requiring careful investigation or analysis.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

56%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was difficult to ascertain" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to indicate a challenge in determining or establishing something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is acceptable in written English and suitable for various contexts. Its frequency is classified as common, primarily appearing in scientific and news-related domains. While several alternatives exist, such as "it was hard to figure out" or "it was challenging to determine", this phrase is frequently employed in formal and scientific writing. It’s best to state clearly what made ascertainment difficult. Overusing the phrase in simple, informal contexts may make your language sound unnatural.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was challenging to determine

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging", emphasizing the demanding nature of the task.

it was not easy to determine

Expresses the difficulty by stating the opposite – it was not easy.

it proved challenging to establish

Emphasizes the process of establishing something with an alternative to 'difficult'.

it was hard to figure out

Uses a more informal expression, "hard to figure out", to convey the difficulty.

determining that was complex

Highlights the complexity involved in determining something.

establishing that was problematic

Focuses on the problematic nature of establishing something instead of directly stating the difficulty.

it was unclear what

Indicates a lack of clarity, implying difficulty in understanding or confirming something.

the facts were elusive

Focuses on the elusiveness of the facts, making them hard to pin down.

the truth was hard to come by

Emphasizes the struggle to find the truth.

the situation was inscrutable

Focuses on the inscrutability of the situation, implying that it was difficult to understand.

FAQs

How can I use "it was difficult to ascertain" in a sentence?

You can use "it was difficult to ascertain" to express that something was not easy to determine or discover. For example, "Due to the limited evidence, "it was difficult to ascertain" the exact cause of the incident."

What's the difference between "it was difficult to ascertain" and "it was hard to determine"?

"It was difficult to ascertain" and "it was hard to determine" are similar, but "it was difficult to ascertain" is generally more formal and implies a more thorough or complex investigation was needed. "It was hard to determine" is more casual and can apply to simpler situations.

What can I say instead of "it was difficult to ascertain"?

You can use alternatives like "it was challenging to determine", "it was unclear", or "it was hard to figure out" depending on the context.

Is "it is difficult to ascertain" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it is difficult to ascertain" is grammatically correct. The tense (present vs. past) depends on whether you are referring to a current or past situation. "It was difficult to ascertain" refers to the past, while "it is difficult to ascertain" refers to the present.