tricky to ascertain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tricky to ascertain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is difficult to determine or figure out. Example: "The reasons behind the sudden market fluctuations can be tricky to ascertain without thorough analysis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It's always tricky to ascertain the effect outside groups have when they dabble in local and personal politics.

Huffington Post

If you're an emotional empath, highly sensitive, an emotionally deep person, or even co-dependent, it can be especially tricky to ascertain which fears are authentic, helpful intuitions and which are irrational.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

So both the government and Mr. Sadr have alternated hawkish statements and peace overtures, playing a tricky game of bluffs and counter-bluffs as each tries to ascertain the other's breaking point.

The New York Times

It wasn't all that hard for me to ascertain the primary aggressor on that call in San Diego, but discerning legal culpability can be a tricky proposition.

Huffington Post

score difficult to ascertain.

The New Yorker

The answers are not easy to ascertain.

The New York Times

We will continue to speak to the victims to ascertain what this ascertained.

The Guardian

Occasionally, Emil made phone calls to ascertain the progress.

The New Yorker

But what truth was there left to ascertain?

The New Yorker

That's what the investigation is attempting to ascertain".

The Guardian

Guardian Australia has been unable to ascertain their current whereabouts.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace "tricky to ascertain" with a simpler alternative, such as "difficult to determine", if you want to ensure your writing is easily understood by a broad audience.

Common error

Avoid using "tricky to ascertain" in situations where a simpler, more direct phrase would suffice. Overusing sophisticated language can make your writing sound pretentious. Simple questions don't need complex answers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tricky to ascertain" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying an implied noun (e.g., 'the truth,' 'the cause'). It describes the difficulty associated with discovering or establishing something. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it is usable in written English when discussing something that is difficult to determine or figure out.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tricky to ascertain" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe something that is difficult to determine or figure out. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English. While not extremely common, it finds its usage in news, wiki and scientific contexts. Alternatives like "difficult to determine" or "hard to figure out" are available for simpler contexts. Ensure clarity by specifying what makes the ascertainment difficult. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in simple, everyday situations to maintain a natural writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to determine

Replaces "tricky" with a more common synonym and maintains the infinitive structure.

hard to figure out

Uses more informal language while retaining the core meaning of difficulty in understanding.

challenging to establish

Emphasizes the difficulty in firmly establishing something as a fact.

not easy to determine

Uses a more direct and less nuanced way to express difficulty.

tough to figure out

Uses the synonym "tough" for "tricky" and "figure out" for "ascertain" to convey difficulty.

demanding to establish

Replaces "tricky" with "demanding" suggesting that establishing something requires much effort.

complicated to understand

Focuses on the complexity of understanding something as the reason for difficulty.

difficult to make out

Uses "make out" as a phrasal verb synonym for "ascertain", indicating difficulty in perceiving clearly.

abstruse to establish

Uses "abstruse" to describe something that's hard to comprehend, making it difficult to establish.

obscure to discern

Suggests something is hidden or unclear, making it hard to discern.

FAQs

What does "tricky to ascertain" mean?

The phrase "tricky to ascertain" means something is difficult or complicated to determine or find out. It implies a need for careful investigation or analysis.

How can I use "tricky to ascertain" in a sentence?

You might say, "The exact cause of the malfunction was "tricky to ascertain", requiring extensive testing".

What are some alternatives to "tricky to ascertain"?

Alternatives include "difficult to determine", "hard to figure out", or "challenging to establish".

Is "tricky to ascertain" formal or informal?

While "tricky" is somewhat informal, "ascertain" is more formal. The phrase as a whole is suitable for neutral to slightly formal contexts. In very informal settings, simpler phrases like "hard to know" might be better.