Hard to be understood vs hard to understand

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Hard to be understood' is used when referring to oneself or someone else being difficult for others to comprehend. 'Hard to understand' is used when describing something that is difficult for oneself to comprehend.

Last updated: April 03, 2024 • 209 views

Hard to be understood

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to oneself or someone else being difficult for others to comprehend.

This phrase is used when talking about a person or a concept that is challenging for others to grasp or comprehend.

Examples:

His accent is hard to be understood by people from other regions.
The professor's explanation was hard to be understood by the students.
The concept was hard to be understood by the general public.
Her emotions were hard to be understood by her friends.
The message was hard to be understood due to the poor audio quality.

Show examples from the web [+]

In those are some things hard to be understood, which the ignorant and unsettled twist, as they also do to the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
It is important to see depression as a proper disease, just like many other diseases that the human body can develop, even if symptoms are hard to be understood.
As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
They are a unique novelty, hard to be understood.
in which are some things hard to be understood,
FEELING IT... Can you see why sometimes we have found it hard to be understood through words? This FEELING you are FEELING... try to explain it in words to another.
It's so hard to be understood in life, and that's why, when you meet someone where you understand each other at that moment, you sort of want to hold on to it, you know?
It's so hard to be understood.

Alternatives:

difficult to comprehend
challenging to grasp
not easy to understand
tough to follow
complex to interpret

hard to understand

This phrase is correct and commonly used when describing something that is difficult for oneself to comprehend.

This phrase is used when talking about a concept, idea, or situation that is challenging for the speaker to grasp or comprehend.

Examples:

The scientific theory was hard to understand for the students.
The instructions were hard to understand without proper guidance.
The novel was hard to understand due to its complex plot.
The concept was hard to understand without prior knowledge.
The language used in the document was hard to understand for non-native speakers.

Show examples from the web [+]

It may be hard to understand, but obedience is the only path to happiness.
I suppose that that's hard to understand.
It's hard to understand why anyone chooses to kill herself.
I s'pose it's hard to understand how Smith managed that.
I find it hard to understand when I'm tied.
Death can be hard to understand.
That's not so hard to understand.
What is so hard to understand?
And that just was hard to understand.
I know it's probably hard to understand...
Danish is very hard to understand.
It's hard to understand if you're not an adult.
You heard's hard to understand because of the dentures she inherited.
It's actually not that hard to understand.
I guess that was too hard to understand.
Cons The interface isn't as easy or intuitive, and hard to understand.
It's not hard to understand the Netanyahu-Lieberman duo.
A sure success #Dolce&gabbanalovesnaples In Naples it is hard to understand what are the boundaries.
That is a beautiful picture but it is hard to understand.
It's not hard to understand why he started drinking again.

Alternatives:

difficult to comprehend
challenging to grasp
not easy to follow
tough to interpret
complex to make sense of

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