tricky to identify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tricky to identify" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that is difficult to recognize or determine. Example: "The symptoms of the illness can be tricky to identify, often leading to misdiagnosis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Abnormal uterine bleeding patterns

Harlequin ladybird identification

Candidate selection

Political environment impact

Job searching

Relationship patterns

Clothing design

Mummy artifact analysis

Secretome profiles

Anxiety recognition

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

AUB can be tricky to identify, because what's normal depends on a woman's reproductive age.

Harvard University

Harlequins can be tricky to identify but they are quite large (6-8mm) with red-brown legs and quite a rounded and domed shape.

The Guardian - Opinion

Without one, say hiring managers, it can be tricky to identify the best candidates through their CVs and other application materials alone.

Nature

It's tricky to identify the role that the broader political environment played in a candidate's victory or loss in a campaign.

The Washington Post

They discussed the importance of following up any contact with thank-you e-mails and handing out lots of business cards, though it's tricky to identify yourself when you have no job.

The New York Times

This pattern can be tricky to identify.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Fuels and oxidizers: These are a bit trickier to identify, but consider most, if not all, organic liquids and solids to be potential fuels for a fire.

Science Magazine

This was a particularly tricky badge to identify until we found this tweet in which it's more clearly identifiable.

The Washington Post

A quick spin in the pattern to demonstrate I knew how to operate the carburetor and I was cleared to fly! Ian and I set off wary of the weather but still determined to make it to Kill Devil Hills, NC. First flight airport (KFFA) is tricky airport to identify when heading from the north and west.

Forbes

In the best of times and most favorable of circumstances, it's tricky business to identify whether a person who is mentally ill might become violent, so that those in his path can be protected from potential harm and he can get the treatment he needs.

Los Angeles Times

It was surprisingly tricky to immediately identify the depth and breadth of information that should be included in the Learn-Its, so we adopted a "release early, release often" philosophy.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tricky to identify", ensure the context clearly indicates what is posing the challenge. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "tricky to identify" when simpler alternatives like "hard to see" or "difficult to find" suffice. Reserve it for scenarios where complexity genuinely exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tricky to identify" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes the quality of something being difficult to recognize or ascertain. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science & Research

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tricky to identify" is a valid and relatively uncommon phrase used to describe something that presents challenges in recognition or determination. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is grammatically correct and functions as an adjectival phrase. While applicable across various contexts, it appears most frequently in news and media, scientific research, and academic settings. For more formal contexts or to add emphasis, alternatives like "difficult to discern" or "challenging to pinpoint" may be suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to discern

Replaces "tricky" with "difficult" and "identify" with "discern", emphasizing the challenge in distinguishing something.

hard to recognize

Uses "hard" instead of "tricky" and "recognize" instead of "identify", making the phrase more straightforward.

challenging to pinpoint

Substitutes "tricky" with "challenging" and "identify" with "pinpoint", highlighting the effort needed for precise determination.

complex to determine

Replaces "tricky" with "complex" and "identify" with "determine", indicating a multifaceted assessment process.

not easily recognized

Expresses the difficulty using a passive construction, focusing on the object's lack of obviousness.

obscure to detect

Uses "obscure" and "detect" to convey a sense of hidden or subtle characteristics making identification difficult.

subtle to distinguish

Highlights the subtlety of the object being identified, making it hard to tell apart from others.

requires careful recognition

Shifts the focus to the need for thorough and attentive observation for successful identification.

demands thorough identification

Emphasizes the necessity of a comprehensive identification process due to inherent difficulties.

presents identification challenges

Frames the situation as a set of problems related to the identification process itself.

FAQs

What does "tricky to identify" mean?

The phrase "tricky to identify" means something is difficult to recognize or determine. It suggests a need for careful observation or analysis.

What can I say instead of "tricky to identify"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult to discern", "hard to recognize", or "challenging to pinpoint" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "tricky to identify" or "difficult to identify"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. "Difficult to identify" is more common and straightforward, while "tricky to identify" implies a subtle or deceptive quality making identification challenging.

How to use "tricky to identify" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "The subtle differences in the twins' behavior made the culprit very "tricky to identify"".