it was difficult to predict

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was difficult to predict" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing situations or outcomes that are uncertain or hard to foresee. Example: "Given the unpredictable nature of the weather, it was difficult to predict the outcome of the outdoor event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The budget office cautioned, however, that there was considerable uncertainty in its estimates because it was difficult to predict when a "systemically important" financial firm might fail.

The New York Times

In its statement, Olympus said that it was difficult to predict the extent of penalties that might be imposed by British authorities and that any impact on its finances was unclear.

The New York Times

Toward the end of the year, Ceres should have been visible again, but after such a long time it was difficult to predict its exact position.

Wikipedia

It was difficult to predict what would occur.

The New York Times

Analysts said it was difficult to predict the outcome.

The New York Times

Police officials acknowledged that with so many people, it was difficult to predict traffic flow.

The New York Times

Lawyers said it was difficult to predict how successful his efforts might be.

The New York Times

But this flood was unusual and it was difficult to predict when it would subside.

The Guardian

And with so many players in contention, it was difficult to predict what would happen.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Miyahara said it was difficult to predict the outcome of the bluefin debate.

The New York Times

The Environment Agency said it was difficult to predict accurately at this stage exactly which businesses would be hit.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was difficult to predict", ensure the context clearly explains why the prediction was challenging. Providing specific reasons enhances clarity and adds valuable information for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "it was difficult to predict" as a standalone statement without further explanation. Instead, elaborate on the underlying factors contributing to the unpredictability, such as market volatility, unforeseen circumstances, or lack of historical data.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was difficult to predict" functions as an impersonal construction expressing a subjective assessment of the predictability of a situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is grammatically correct and widely used. This construction allows the speaker or writer to convey uncertainty or the lack of clear foresight.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was difficult to predict" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express uncertainty about future outcomes. As Ludwig AI states, its correctness is confirmed by the fact that it follows standard grammar rules and also by the numerous examples found across diverse sources. Its frequency across News & Media and scientific contexts underscores its relevance in discussing uncertain events and forecasting challenges. When using this phrase, providing context to explain the reasons behind the unpredictability enhances its impact and informativeness. For alternative phrasings, consider options like "it was hard to foresee" or "the outcome was uncertain" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was hard to foresee

Replaces "difficult" with "hard", indicating a similar level of challenge in predicting something.

it was challenging to anticipate

Substitutes "difficult" with "challenging" and "predict" with "anticipate", both conveying the struggle to foresee.

it was not easy to predict

Expresses the difficulty by negating easiness of prediction, a slightly more emphatic way to convey the same idea.

it was tough to call

Uses a more informal idiom "tough to call" which means "difficult to predict the outcome".

the outcome was uncertain

Shifts the focus to the uncertainty of the outcome rather than the difficulty of predicting it.

it was not possible to foresee

Emphasizes the impossibility of foreseeing the event, rather than just the difficulty.

it defied prediction

Presents the situation as actively resisting prediction.

the future was anyone's guess

An idiomatic way of saying the future was unpredictable.

the situation was too fluid to predict

Highlights the changing nature of the situation as the reason for unpredictability.

forecasting was unreliable

Focuses on the unreliability of any attempt to forecast or predict.

FAQs

What are some alternative phrases for "it was difficult to predict"?

You can use alternatives like "it was hard to foresee", "it was challenging to anticipate", or "the outcome was uncertain" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Here's an example: "Given the rapidly changing market conditions, "it was difficult to predict" consumer behavior."

Is "it was difficult to predict" formal or informal?

"It was difficult to predict" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, for more formal writing, you might consider alternatives like "it was challenging to anticipate".

What makes something difficult to predict?

Several factors can make something difficult to predict, including a lack of historical data, high volatility, complex interactions between variables, and unforeseen external events.