not easy to specify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not easy to specify" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that is difficult to define or clarify. Example: "The requirements for the project are not easy to specify, which makes planning challenging."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

They are not easy to specify because they have less to do with the reimagining of history than with whether history is reimagined in a way that respects the facts.

The New York Times

Famously, "The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life" states its premise with a line that engages "As You Like It": "All the world is not, of course, a stage, but the crucial ways in which it isn't are not easy to specify".

The New Yorker

It is not easy to specify any relation among unified contents or acts of experiencing (beyond their being unified) that is required for them to be unified.

SEP

Rather, we must measure the fairness of their gains against a normative baseline as to how much the parties ought to gain, and that baseline is not easy to specify.

SEP

In view of technical limitations and possible multiple steps necessary for "visible" LD formation, it is not easy to specify where in the process a particular factor(s) is involved.

Histochemistry and Cell Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

However, these costs are not always easy to specify.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

It is important to remark that it is not always easy to specify an adequate model in presence of time dependent covariate effects.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

The drawback is that it may not be quick and easy to specify the metadata since many biologists are unfamiliar with the CVs or ontologies used.

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

For example, it is not easy to automatically specify a single sequence identity for each molecule name that appears in the scientific literature.

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

That's easy to specify when they are close together.

MIT Technology Review

It may be easy to specify the car you want.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not easy to specify" when the difficulty arises from the inherent complexity or ambiguity of the subject matter, rather than a lack of information or effort.

Common error

Avoid using "not easy to specify" as a generic way to introduce a problem. Instead, be specific about the exact reasons why something is difficult to define or clarify. This makes your writing more precise and informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not easy to specify" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or concept by indicating that it lacks clear, readily definable characteristics. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not easy to specify" is used to express the difficulty in clearly defining something. As verified by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly science, news, and academic writing. While versatile, it's advisable to provide supporting context to enhance clarity. Consider alternatives like "difficult to define" or "challenging to articulate" for nuanced expression. Although "not easy to specify" is a valid expression, avoid overusing it as a filler; instead, pinpoint specific reasons for the lack of clarity to strengthen your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to define

Emphasizes the challenge in providing a clear definition.

hard to delineate

Highlights the struggle in setting precise boundaries or limits.

not straightforward to determine

Focuses on the complexity of establishing something definitively.

challenging to articulate

Highlights the difficulty in expressing something clearly and effectively.

difficult to ascertain

This emphasizes the problem of finding something out for certain.

tough to pin down

Emphasizes the elusiveness and resistance to precise identification.

not simple to determine

Stresses the lack of simplicity in establishing something.

complex to ascertain

Highlights the intricacy involved in finding something out for certain.

vague

This captures the idea that the thing in question is imprecise and ill-defined.

elusive

This indicates that something is hard to grasp or define.

FAQs

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

You can use "not easy to specify" when describing something that is difficult to define or clarify. For example, "The exact requirements for this project are "not easy to specify", making detailed planning a challenge."

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

Alternatives include "difficult to define", "hard to delineate", or "challenging to articulate" depending on the context.

Is "not easy to specify" formal or informal?

"Not easy to specify" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of your writing. Consider choosing a more precise alternative like "difficult to define" in highly formal settings.

What makes something "not easy to specify"?

Something might be "not easy to specify" due to its complexity, ambiguity, or abstract nature. It could also be because the criteria or boundaries are not clear or well-defined. For example, the exact point at which an artistic style becomes a new genre is often "not easy to specify".