Difficult to monitor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Difficult to monitor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is challenging to observe or keep track of, such as a process, behavior, or situation. Example: "The project's progress has been difficult to monitor due to the lack of regular updates from the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it is difficult to monitor, police, and punish.

The New Yorker

Sea ice has always been difficult to monitor from space.

The Guardian

The park area is vast and difficult to monitor.

The New York Times - Arts

"It is difficult to monitor the situation all over Germany.

The Guardian

MIT labs are far flung and difficult to monitor centrally.

MIT Technology Review

From the vendor perspective, it's difficult to monitor".

The New York Times

Distributed computing is difficult to monitor and manage.

Configuring Citrix MetaFrame XP for Windows Including Feature Release 1

I concede that it can be difficult to monitor things from thousands of miles away.

The New York Times

In practice, moreover, the "opt out" provision would be difficult to monitor or enforce.

The New York Times

Tattoos can camouflage moles, however, making it difficult to monitor tattooed patients for skin cancer.

The Guardian

Yet this part of the lower stratosphere is difficult to monitor.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to monitor", clearly state why something is hard to track. Provide context for the challenge.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to monitor" as a standalone statement. Always specify what is proving hard to track or observe. For instance, instead of saying "The situation is difficult to monitor", specify "The patient's heart rate is difficult to monitor without specialized equipment."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to monitor" functions as an adjectival phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes a quality or characteristic related to the ease or feasibility of observation or tracking. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult to monitor" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the challenges in observing or tracking something. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. Analysis of usage examples reveals its prevalence across diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal business. While alternatives like "hard to track" and "challenging to oversee" exist, "difficult to monitor" remains a versatile and widely understood phrase. When using this phrase, it's best practice to clearly specify what is proving difficult to monitor and why.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Hard to track

Focuses on the challenge of following or tracing something.

Challenging to oversee

Emphasizes the difficulty in supervising or managing something.

Tough to keep tabs on

Highlights the effort required to maintain awareness of something.

Not easily observable

Focuses on the lack of visibility or clarity.

Elusive to detect

Emphasizes the difficulty in finding or noticing something.

Problematic to supervise

Highlights issues with the act of supervising.

Hard to keep an eye on

Focuses on the physical act of observation and vigilance.

Not straightforward to regulate

Emphasizes the difficulty in controlling or governing something.

Demanding to control

Highlights the high level of effort necessary for effective management.

Requires intensive surveillance

Emphasizes the need for significant resources for monitoring.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "difficult to monitor"?

You can use alternatives like "hard to track", "challenging to oversee", or "tough to keep tabs on" depending on the specific context.

What makes something "difficult to monitor"?

Something might be "difficult to monitor" due to its complexity, scale, inaccessibility, or the lack of appropriate tools or methods for observation. Specific context is key.

Is it ever correct to say "hard to monitor" instead of "difficult to monitor"?

Yes, "hard to track" and "difficult to monitor" are often interchangeable. "Difficult" suggests a higher degree of challenge, but "hard" is perfectly acceptable in most contexts.

How to use "difficult to monitor" in a formal context?

In formal writing, use "difficult to monitor" with specific and objective language. For example: "Adherence to the protocol was difficult to monitor due to limitations in data collection."