more difficult to grasp

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more difficult to grasp" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing concepts, ideas, or information that are challenging to understand or comprehend. Example: "The theory presented in the lecture was more difficult to grasp than I had anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Normally, with the increasing complexity of group structure and frequent collaboration needs, the existing interactions become more difficult to grasp and analyze.

Computers in Human Behavior

Their vivid, mosaiclike grids of blocky letters — so similar yet always different — seem eminently covetable, but their meanings are more difficult to grasp.

The New York Times - Arts

But the simple difference between a "Jew" and an "Israeli" is no more difficult to grasp than a Catholic and Italian.

Independent

We had to, I think, to break from Matt Smith, who is wonderful and I love, we had to make the Doctor a little more difficult to grasp.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But their significance, understood (and misunderstood) only within the simple framework of superpower rivalry and cold war risk a few years ago, is now far more difficult to grasp.

Harvard University

It's easy to track the plot points in "House" and rather more difficult to grasp why Mr. Obayashi tells the story the way he does, to gauge the significance of the gaudy colors, the old-fashioned techniques (he periodically irises up and down), the superimpositions and flurries of jump cuts.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The sheer size is difficult to grasp, but even more brain-numbing is the institution's balkanized method of organization: the photographs are spread across its 19 museums in 700 archives and special collections.

The New York Times - Arts

"But what has been missed or is really difficult to grasp is that Live in Peace is more than these coding classes.

TechCrunch

Birnie, a barber by trade, finds it difficult to grasp that the elite boys are not more hands-on with the preparation of their 'rocket ships'.

BBC

"It is difficult to grasp when someone is just not there any more.

BBC

While its true impact is difficult to grasp, a relevant portion of the patients felt more involved in their treatment due to the web portal.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When explaining complex topics, use "more difficult to grasp" to acknowledge the challenge without sounding condescending. For example, "While the concept may be "more difficult to grasp" initially, practical examples can help clarify its application."

Common error

Avoid using overly complex language when introducing a topic described as "more difficult to grasp". Simplify your explanations and provide clear, concise examples to aid understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more difficult to grasp" functions as a qualifier, specifically indicating a comparative degree of complexity or abstruseness. It modifies a noun or concept by expressing that it requires greater effort or skill to understand. Ludwig AI affirms this grammatical correctness and provides ample examples of its usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "more difficult to grasp" serves as a versatile tool for expressing comparative challenges in understanding various concepts. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently employed across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. While relatively formal, its neutral tone makes it adaptable for many communication scenarios. When using this phrase, prioritize clarity and provide simplified explanations to support comprehension. Alternatives such as "harder to comprehend" or "less easy to understand" can be considered for slight variations in tone or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harder to comprehend

Replaces "grasp" with "comprehend", focusing on understanding.

less easy to understand

Uses a double negative to express difficulty, changing the sentence structure.

more challenging to perceive

Substitutes "grasp" with "perceive", emphasizing sensory understanding.

tougher to get a handle on

Uses an idiomatic expression, making the phrase more informal.

more complicated to fathom

Replaces "grasp" with "fathom", suggesting a deeper level of understanding required.

more arduous to apprehend

Substitutes "difficult" with "arduous" and "grasp" with "apprehend", increasing formality.

increasingly impenetrable

Focuses on the quality of being impossible to understand.

more obscure to discern

Replaces "difficult" with "obscure" and "grasp" with "discern", highlighting a lack of clarity.

presents a greater cognitive load

Uses technical language related to cognitive effort.

requires more mental effort to process

Emphasizes the mental exertion needed for understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "more difficult to grasp" in a sentence?

You can use "more difficult to grasp" to describe concepts or ideas that require extra effort to understand. For example, "Quantum physics is often "more difficult to grasp" than classical mechanics."

What are some alternatives to "more difficult to grasp"?

Alternatives include "harder to comprehend", "less easy to understand", or "more challenging to perceive", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "more difficult to grasp"?

Yes, "more difficult to grasp" is grammatically correct. The structure "more + adjective + to + verb" is a standard construction in English.

What's the difference between "more difficult to grasp" and "difficult to grasp"?

"More difficult to grasp" implies a comparative degree of difficulty. It suggests something is harder to understand compared to something else, whereas "difficult to grasp" simply indicates that something is challenging to understand without a direct comparison.