Difficult to maintain that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Difficult to maintain that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a challenging situation or argument that is hard to uphold or support. Example: "In light of the new evidence, it is difficult to maintain that the original conclusion was valid."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Is it difficult to maintain that kind of fitness and form all year?

The New York Times

The department recently hit a peak strength of 40,710 officers, but it has found it difficult to maintain that size because officers are retiring faster than new cadets are recruited.

The New York Times

The natural law tradition has undergone a considerable refinement in the 20th century, mainly because its classical, popular version faced an obvious objection about its core insight: it is just difficult to maintain that morally bad law is not law.

SEP

"As a small union, it can be difficult to maintain that viability," acknowledges Penman.

The Guardian

It also makes it more difficult to maintain that interception did not occur.There are other niggles.

The Economist

I was just 5 feet 8 and 175 pounds, and it was difficult to maintain that intensity over 100 games.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

The move that the central bank announced Wednesday would make it more difficult for China to maintain that policy.

The New York Times

Have you seen that kind of friendship endure in the literary world around you? How difficult is it to maintain that kind of bond?

The New Yorker

How difficult it must have been, to maintain that kind of a secret for so long and in the context of such a public life.

The New Yorker

This could mean code that's more difficult to maintain, code that takes longer to execute, or code written in an old language/framework that other developers don't want to use anymore.

TechCrunch

Many patients require more than one IOP-lowering drug [ 5] resulting in complex medication regimens that may be difficult to maintain and that can lead to non-compliance [ 6].

BMC Ophthalmology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to maintain that", ensure the context clearly defines what "that" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader. Consider rephrasing for clarity if necessary.

Common error

While grammatically sound, relying heavily on "difficult to maintain that" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your phrasing by using synonyms like "hard to sustain that" or "challenging to uphold that" for a more engaging style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to maintain that" functions as a qualifier, indicating a challenge or obstacle in sustaining a particular state, condition, or belief. Ludwig AI identifies its use in various contexts where sustaining something is not easily achievable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult to maintain that" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express the challenges associated with sustaining a particular condition or belief. Ludwig AI highlights its presence in news, science, and encyclopedia contexts. While its meaning is clear, overuse can lead to repetitive writing, making synonyms valuable. Its neutral register suits various writing styles, although formality should be considered based on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to sustain that

Emphasizes the effort required to keep something going.

challenging to uphold that

Highlights the difficulty in defending or supporting a specific claim or position.

tough to preserve that

Focuses on keeping something in its original state.

not easy to continue that

Indicates a lack of simplicity in ensuring something persists.

strenuous to keep that up

Highlights the demanding nature of maintaining something.

laborious to perpetuate that

Stresses the extensive effort required to continue something indefinitely.

complicated to prolong that

Focuses on the intricacy of extending the duration of something.

not straightforward to retain that

Highlights the lack of simplicity in keeping something.

taxing to carry on with that

Emphasizes the burdensome nature of continuing something.

demanding to prolong that

Highlights the high requirements to extend or maintain something.

FAQs

How can I use "difficult to maintain that" in a sentence?

You can use "difficult to maintain that" to express the challenge in sustaining a condition, belief, or standard. For example, "Given the limited resources, it is difficult to maintain that level of service."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to maintain that"?

Alternatives include "hard to sustain that", "challenging to uphold that", or "tough to preserve that", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "difficult to maintain that" or "hard to maintain that"?

Both "difficult to maintain that" and "hard to maintain that" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Difficult" is slightly more formal, while "hard" is more informal. Choose based on your audience and writing style.

What does it mean when something is "difficult to maintain that"?

When something is "difficult to maintain that", it means that it requires significant effort or resources to keep it in its current state or to continue it in the future. It suggests that there are challenges or obstacles that make it hard to sustain.