tricky to discern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tricky to discern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is difficult to understand or identify. Example: "The meaning behind the artist's abstract painting is tricky to discern, leaving viewers with various interpretations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

He ranged widely, making it tricky to discern a common thread.

The New Yorker

But making stuff up is different, and motivation is always tricky to discern.

The New York Times

When it comes to casting models, the line between "real" and "too real" can be tricky to discern.

The New Yorker

Thereafter it's a little tricky to discern much of anything from the fast-cutting montage that follows.

The Guardian - Film

It's tricky to discern not only whether past extreme weather have changed, but also whether human-caused global warming is a factor.

The Guardian

Standing before the life-size portrait in the West Gallery of the Frick Collection, the medical students even found it tricky to discern the subject's beret from the painting's dark background, though several noted his unusually long arms.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

They resort to trade barriers that are difficult for voters to discern and tricky for political opponents to attack.The burden of a tariff is easy to explain to the electorate: my opponent wants you to pay more for your milk and cars.

The Economist

If so that would mean that the economy is operating closer to potential using all available capital and labour than generally thought, and that there is less downward pressure on inflation than the Fed has assumed.Figuring out the gap between actual and potential output is tricky because potential, always hard to discern, is more uncertain than usual.

The Economist

All too aware of an important part we've played in history, frequently the evidence of our contributions is difficult to discern and even more tricky to interpret.

Huffington Post

Even if airlines attempted to prevent passengers from flying sick, it is tricky for airline personnel (and sometimes even medical personnel) to discern whether someone has symptoms of a common cold or a more serious respiratory disorder, such as pneumonia or influenza -- or even whether someone has chicken pox (which can look like acne).

Huffington Post

But a car can be a noisy environment, and a computer's ability to discern exactly what is said can be tricky.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tricky to discern", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is proving difficult to understand or identify. For example, "The subtle nuances of the author's writing style are tricky to discern for novice readers."

Common error

Avoid using "tricky to discern" in situations where simpler terms like "hard to see" or "difficult to understand" would suffice. Overusing complex phrasing can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tricky to discern" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating that something is difficult to perceive or understand. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

11%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tricky to discern" is a grammatically sound and usable expression indicating difficulty in understanding or perceiving something. Ludwig AI supports its validity. While not extremely common, it appears in diverse contexts, particularly news and media, and carries a neutral to slightly formal tone. It is recommended to use this phrase when conveying a genuine challenge in comprehension due to subtlety or complexity. Keep in mind that more straightforward alternatives might be suitable in certain formal contexts or simpler scenarios. Remember to consider the overall tone and your audience when including "tricky to discern" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to distinguish

Replaces "tricky" with "hard" and "discern" with "distinguish", focusing on the difficulty in telling things apart.

difficult to perceive

Substitutes "tricky" with "difficult" and "discern" with "perceive", highlighting the challenge in sensing or becoming aware of something.

challenging to understand

Replaces "tricky" with "challenging" and "discern" with "understand", emphasizing the mental effort required.

not easy to make out

Uses a more informal phrasing, indicating that something is not readily visible or audible.

obscure to identify

Employs "obscure" to suggest that something is hidden or not clear, making identification difficult.

subtle to detect

Suggests the difficulty lies in the faintness or delicacy of what needs to be noticed.

imprecise to determine

Focuses on the lack of exactness or clarity in figuring something out.

ambiguous to interpret

Highlights the multiple possible meanings, making interpretation difficult.

vague to ascertain

Implies a lack of clarity or definition, making it hard to confirm something.

indistinct to recognize

Suggests a lack of clear boundaries or features, making recognition difficult.

FAQs

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

Use "tricky to discern" when you want to express that something is difficult to understand or identify, often due to its complexity or subtlety. For example: "The motives behind his actions were "tricky to discern"."

What are some alternatives to "tricky to discern"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult to perceive", "hard to distinguish", or "challenging to understand" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "tricky to discern" in formal writing?

While "tricky to discern" is grammatically correct, consider your audience. In some formal contexts, phrases like "difficult to ascertain" or "hard to determine" might be more suitable.

What makes something "tricky to discern" versus simply "hard to see"?

"Tricky to discern" often implies a cognitive challenge, where understanding requires more than just visual clarity. It suggests that even with clear visibility, the meaning or nature of something remains elusive, unlike something merely "hard to see".