not easy to decipher

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not easy to decipher" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that is difficult to understand or interpret, such as text, symbols, or messages. Example: "The ancient manuscript was filled with symbols that were not easy to decipher, leaving historians puzzled for years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"These are very complex environments that are not easy to decipher from a distance.

The Guardian

Overall, the nation shed 131,00 jobs in July". This morning's jobs report is not easy to decipher.

The New York Times

It looks like a formally simple, ballad-like poem, but it's not easy to decipher, or even to scan.

The Guardian - Books

Cisco's write-up of the idea blends the corporate jargon with hippie-speak and is thus not easy to decipher.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is not easy to decipher, and no one really has done that satisfactorily, up to this point, but it's something that one would want to keep in mind, as one thinks about the meaning of these still life paintings.

Yale University

No one is quite sure what was said and the blizzard of asterisks in news reports are not easy to decipher, but it appears that the phrase "Have that, you flash fuck" may have played some part.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

So the painting wasn't easy to decipher, but, on close inspection, not withstanding the damage, it still looked exceptionally beautiful, almost more so for being fragile and ghostly.

The New York Times - Arts

The artists' messages are not always easy to decipher.

The New York Times - Travel

The answer is not so easy to decipher.

The New York Times - Arts

We see some interesting things, which are not that easy to decipher.

Yale University

But this time, the committee members say, the evidence is not so easy to decipher.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing complex data or information, use "not easy to decipher" to acknowledge the effort required for understanding, but also consider adding context or explanation to aid comprehension.

Common error

Avoid using "not easy to decipher" without giving readers some clues or hints about what makes it difficult to understand. If something is "not easy to decipher", offer additional information or rephrase it to improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not easy to decipher" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something that is difficult to understand or interpret. Ludwig AI validates this usage, providing numerous examples across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not easy to decipher" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for describing something difficult to understand or interpret. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. While there are several alternatives, such as "difficult to understand" or "hard to interpret", the choice often depends on the specific nuance intended. When using the phrase, it's beneficial to provide context or additional information to assist the reader in understanding the complex subject matter, with the goal of facilitating clear communication and understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to understand

Replaces "not easy" with "difficult", maintaining similar meaning.

hard to interpret

Substitutes "decipher" with "interpret", conveying the same sense of decoding.

challenging to comprehend

Uses "challenging" instead of "not easy" and "comprehend" instead of "decipher", suggesting a demanding understanding process.

not straightforward to understand

Emphasizes the lack of simplicity in understanding something.

obscure and unclear

Highlights the lack of clarity, making understanding difficult.

requires careful analysis

Focuses on the need for meticulous examination to understand something.

presents interpretive difficulties

Specifically points out the challenges in interpretation.

not readily apparent

Suggests that the meaning is not immediately obvious.

demands close reading

Highlights the need for a detailed and attentive reading to grasp the meaning.

resistant to simple interpretation

Indicates that a basic understanding is not sufficient; a deeper analysis is required.

FAQs

What does "not easy to decipher" mean?

The phrase "not easy to decipher" means that something is difficult to understand or interpret. It implies that some effort or expertise is required to decode its meaning.

How can I use "not easy to decipher" in a sentence?

You can use "not easy to decipher" to describe anything from complex data to cryptic messages. For example: "The ancient text was "not easy to decipher", requiring a specialist's expertise."

What are some alternatives to "not easy to decipher"?

Some alternatives include "difficult to understand", "hard to interpret", or "challenging to comprehend". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "not easy to decipher" or "difficult to decipher"?

Both "not easy to decipher" and "difficult to decipher" are grammatically correct and convey essentially the same meaning. The choice often comes down to personal preference, though "difficult" may sound slightly more formal.