not straightforward to explain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not straightforward to explain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a concept or situation that is complex or difficult to clarify. Example: "The reasons behind the decision are not straightforward to explain, as they involve multiple factors and considerations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

As the nanotube concentration increases the total area of P3HT SWNT junctions should increase so the saturation in the value of the low frequency capacitance is not straightforward to explain.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Some observations in the Leuven study are not straightforward to explain.

Plosone

Both effects are not straightforward to explain, but possibly they are related to age and gender differences in iron metabolism as demonstrated in humans and rats [ 55, 56].

BMC Veterinary Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It is not utterly straightforward to explain especially the large difference between the results from Ireland and Greece described in Sect.

SERIEs

Reduced values of Ho are, therefore, not as straightforward to explain as it may first seem.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The increase in relatedness and inbreeding with patch size, however, is not as straightforward to explain.

Evolutionary Applications

With a known velocity distribution, it is straightforward to explain the reading from the sensor.

International Journal of Coal Science & Technology

The discrepancies in death rates are probably relatively straightforward to explain.

BMJ Open

The win ratio method is both clinically meaningful and straightforward to explain.

Critical Care

"It's a straightforward ambition," Mr. de Crescenzo said, "but not straightforward to implement".

The New York Times

It's not straightforward to leave the euro".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "not straightforward to explain", ensure you follow up with a concise explanation of why it's complex. Providing context will increase clarity for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "not straightforward to explain" as a conversation ender. Always provide some level of detail about the complexities involved, even if a full explanation isn't possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not straightforward to explain" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies an implied noun (e.g., a concept, situation, or problem). It describes the quality of something being complex or difficult to clarify. As evidenced by Ludwig, this phrase signals that a more in-depth analysis or explanation is required.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not straightforward to explain" is a useful indicator of complexity, signaling that a deeper or more nuanced explanation is needed. As Ludwig's analysis shows, it appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts, indicating its versatility across different domains. While grammatically sound and acceptable, ensure you're providing context, not just stating the obvious. Alternatives such as "difficult to elucidate" or "hard to clarify" may offer subtle variations in meaning. This phrase, while useful, is not exceptionally common, so thoughtful use is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to elucidate

Emphasizes the effort required to make something clear and understandable.

hard to clarify

Highlights the challenge in making something less confusing or ambiguous.

complex to explicate

Focuses on the intricate nature of something that makes a detailed explanation necessary.

not easy to comprehend

Shifts the focus to the difficulty a person might have in understanding something.

challenging to interpret

Emphasizes the difficulty in assigning meaning or significance to something.

not simple to articulate

Highlights the difficulty in expressing something clearly and effectively in words.

obscure to render clear

Focuses on the initial lack of clarity and the effort needed to make it understandable.

intricate to unravel

Stresses the complexity and the need to disentangle something to understand it.

convoluted to simplify

Emphasizes the twisted or complicated nature of something and the need to make it simpler.

elusive to define

Focuses on the difficulty in establishing a clear and precise definition.

FAQs

What does "not straightforward to explain" mean?

The phrase "not straightforward to explain" signifies that a concept, situation, or idea is complex, multifaceted, or lacks a simple, easy-to-understand explanation. It implies that providing a clear and concise explanation is challenging due to various factors.

What are some alternatives to "not straightforward to explain"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult to elucidate", "hard to clarify", or "complex to explicate" depending on the context.

How can I use "not straightforward to explain" in a sentence?

You can use it to introduce a complex topic: "The economic impact of the new policy is not straightforward to explain, as it involves various interconnected factors." or to acknowledge difficulty: "While the theory seems simple, the practical application is not straightforward to explain."

Is it better to say "not straightforward to explain" or "difficult to explain"?

"Not straightforward to explain" and "difficult to explain" are very similar. "Not straightforward" implies that something is complex and lacks a direct or simple path to understanding, while "difficult" simply indicates that explaining it requires significant effort or skill. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.