more elusive than

USAGE SUMMARY

"more elusive than" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to talk about something that is difficult to identify, find, understand, etc. For example, "The cause of the illness was more elusive than we thought."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A simple genetic test, however, is more elusive than it seems.

The New York Times - Health

Is any art more elusive than choreography?

The New York Times - Arts

Depression is more elusive than Parkinson's.

The New York Times - Magazine

The middle ground appears more elusive than ever.

The Economist

The explanation may be more elusive than this simple logic.

The New York Times - Magazine

Peace seems more elusive than it did in 1978.

The New Yorker

Creating sustainable advantage is more elusive than ever.

Harvard Business Review

"I do think Kordell is more elusive than McNabb.

The New York Times - Sports

Except that it is even more elusive than that.

The New Yorker

Stable footing seemed more elusive than subpar scores.

The New York Times - Sports

But that dream house may be more elusive than it seems.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more elusive than", ensure you're comparing two distinct items or concepts. For instance, "Finding a solution was "more elusive than" initially anticipated".

Common error

Avoid using "more elusive than" when referring to concrete objects that can be easily located. "Elusive" is best suited for abstract concepts, feelings, or goals that are hard to define or achieve. Don't say "The key was "more elusive than" the lock", instead say "The answer was "more elusive than" the question".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more elusive than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun or concept by indicating that it possesses a quality (elusiveness) to a greater degree than something else. Ludwig AI, reinforces this through the provided examples demonstrating its use in contrasting levels of difficulty in attainment or understanding.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "more elusive than" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to compare the difficulty of finding, understanding, or achieving something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted and employed in various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using it, ensure a clear comparison is made between two distinct entities and the context involves something intangible or abstract. The phrase can be replaced by alternatives such as "harder to pin down" or "more difficult to grasp" depending on the specific nuance intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harder to pin down

Focuses on the difficulty of specifying or defining something.

more difficult to grasp

Emphasizes the intellectual challenge of understanding something.

more challenging to attain

Highlights the effort required to achieve a particular goal.

more remote

Implies something is less likely or less accessible.

more unattainable

Suggests something is simply not possible to reach or achieve.

more out of reach

Similar to "more unattainable", but with a slightly less absolute tone.

more subtle

Highlights the nuanced nature of what is being sought.

more evasive

Suggests an active effort to avoid being found or understood.

more mysterious

Emphasizes the unknown or unexplained nature of something.

more indefinable

Focuses on the inability to clearly define or describe something.

FAQs

How can I use "more elusive than" in a sentence?

Use "more elusive than" to describe something that is harder to find, achieve, or understand compared to something else. For example, "A clear explanation proved "more elusive than" expected".

What's a synonym for "more elusive than"?

Alternatives include "harder to pin down", "more difficult to grasp", or "more challenging to attain", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "more elusive than" in formal writing?

Yes, "more elusive than" is suitable for formal writing. It's often used in academic, journalistic, and professional contexts to describe complex or abstract concepts.

What makes something "more elusive than" something else?

Something is "more elusive than" something else when it's harder to define, achieve, find, or understand. This could be due to its complexity, subtlety, or the lack of available information.