very difficult to accept

USAGE SUMMARY

"very difficult to accept" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is challenging to come to terms with or agree to. For example, "Many people found the new policy changes very difficult to accept."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

"This would be very difficult to accept".

The New York Times

"I find that very difficult to accept.

The Guardian

"I found it very difficult to accept my diagnosis".

The New York Times

"It's very difficult to accept, a very tough pill to swallow".

The New York Times - Sports

When you lose like that, it is very difficult to accept.

The Guardian - Sport

It is very difficult to accept that they were not aware of the harassment, bullying and intimidation complaint.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

For many innovative game developers who want to push boundaries, this is very difficult to admit or accept.

TechCrunch

"It was very difficult to have him accepted by the young people.

The New Yorker

This finding may be explained by a particular "ideological stubbornness" of the former migrants, who may find it difficult to accept the very existence of the independent Latvian state and to reconsider their role in it.

IZA Journal of Migration

It is difficult to accept".

BBC

"It's difficult to accept.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "very difficult to accept", consider the specific reason for the difficulty. Being precise about the source of the difficulty enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "very difficult to accept" repeatedly in situations where strong emotions are already evident. Vary your language to avoid sounding monotonous or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very difficult to accept" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying an implied noun. It expresses a strong degree of difficulty in agreeing with, understanding, or coming to terms with something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Huffington Post

3%

TechCrunch

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very difficult to accept" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express significant resistance or reluctance towards something. As Ludwig AI notes, this phrase sees frequent usage in news, scientific, and business contexts, reflecting its suitability for neutral and objective communication. While versatile, writers should be mindful of overuse and emotional contexts, instead opting for greater variety in expression. Consider using alternatives such as "challenging to embrace" or "hard to come to terms with" for added nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to come to terms with

Focuses on the emotional process of dealing with something difficult.

challenging to embrace

Emphasizes the active effort required to accept something.

not easy to swallow

Uses a more informal and figurative expression of difficulty.

tough to reconcile oneself to

Highlights the internal conflict involved in accepting something.

difficult to stomach

Similar to "not easy to swallow" but potentially stronger in negative connotation.

presents a significant obstacle to acceptance

Shifts the focus to the obstacle rather than the difficulty.

poses considerable acceptance hurdles

Similar to above but uses 'hurdles' metaphor.

not readily acceptable

More formal phrasing stressing the lack of immediate acceptance.

meets considerable resistance

Focuses on the external resistance that something faces.

difficult to be reconciled with

Similar to "tough to reconcile oneself to" but expresses a passive perspective.

FAQs

How can I use "very difficult to accept" in a sentence?

You can use "very difficult to accept" to express that something is challenging to agree with or come to terms with. For example, "The jury found the defendant's alibi very difficult to accept".

What are some alternatives to "very difficult to accept"?

Alternatives include "hard to come to terms with", "challenging to embrace", or "not easy to swallow", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "difficult to very accept"?

No, the correct phrasing is "very difficult to accept". The adverb "very" modifies the adjective "difficult", so it should precede it.

What is the difference between "difficult to accept" and "very difficult to accept"?

Adding "very" intensifies the degree of difficulty. "Difficult to accept" indicates a challenge in acceptance, while "very difficult to accept" suggests a significant or substantial challenge.