add difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

"add difficulty" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used when someone is trying to explain that an action or circumstance has made something more difficult. For example, "The exam became more difficult when the teacher added a bonus question."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Few of these coinages really help bring his ideas into focus; instead they simply add difficulty, and at times almost self-parody, to notions that could perhaps be better expressed in metaphor.

The New York Times - Books

This can add difficulty to the interpretation.

Insights into Imaging

This may actually add difficulty in the short term, but in a way that is productive for learning.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

In addition, the movement and flow of respirable dust are complicated in the underground environment and add difficulty to dust prevention.

Process Safety and Environmental Protection

Rapid transitions and simultaneous button presses were included to add difficulty to the gameplay and compensate for the missing buttons.

Wikipedia

If he is at first base when a first baseman fields a grounder, he will deliberately step onto the grass to add difficulty to the fielder's throw.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Compared with potentials, indefinite weights will add difficulties to the study of the Fučík spectra.

Boundary Value Problems

Firstly, our analysis considers costs and effectiveness of interventions, but it does not address health systems constraints that add difficulties to the actual implementation of the interventions.

British Medical Journal

add difficulties gradually and slowly: a general rule is that when the dog, once home, stops being as tired as usual but only appears satisfied and still ready to go, it is time to add duration/speed.

WikiHow

She began adding difficulty on the fly, but could not get away with it cleanly.

The New York Times - Sports

When you're expanding faster than you're being paid, hiring staff, finding an office and managing stock can take on added difficulty.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "add difficulty", ensure the context clearly identifies what is becoming more difficult and why. Specificity will make your writing more precise and impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "add difficulty" in contexts where the source of the difficulty isn't clear. Ambiguity can confuse readers and weaken your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "add difficulty" functions as a verb phrase that describes the action of making something more challenging or complex. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and relevance across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "add difficulty" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the process of making something more challenging. Ludwig AI confirms this, highlighting examples from science, news, and general reference sources. While not exceedingly common, it is appropriately used in contexts where the intent is to explain how an action or element increases the level of challenge. When using this phrase, ensure the context is clear, and consider related alternatives for nuance, such as "complicate matters" or "heighten the challenge".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make harder

Directly expresses making something more difficult.

escalate the difficulty

Highlights a gradual increase in the degree of challenge.

heighten the challenge

Emphasizes amplifying the existing sense of difficulty.

complicate matters

Shifts focus to making something intricate or involved.

increase complexity

Highlights augmenting the intricate nature of something.

present more obstacles

Indicates introducing additional barriers.

intensify the rigor

Focuses on strengthening or increasing the strictness.

raise the bar

Focuses on elevating standards or expectations.

toughen up the process

Focuses on making a procedure more resilient and difficult.

set a higher standard

Emphasizes establishing an elevated benchmark.

FAQs

How can I use "add difficulty" in a sentence?

You can use "add difficulty" to describe how something makes a task, situation, or game more challenging. For example, "Rapid transitions and simultaneous button presses were included to "add difficulty" to the gameplay and compensate for the missing buttons."

What are some alternatives to "add difficulty"?

Some alternatives to "add difficulty" include "complicate matters", "heighten the challenge", or "make harder" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "add difficulty" or "increase difficulty"?

Both "add difficulty" and "increase difficulty" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably in many contexts. The choice often depends on stylistic preference or the specific nuance you want to emphasize. "Increase difficulty" might suggest a gradual change, while "add difficulty" can imply a specific new element creating the challenge.

What's the difference between "add difficulty" and "added difficulty"?

"Add difficulty" is a verb phrase indicating an action of making something more difficult. "Added difficulty" is a noun phrase referring to a difficulty that has been newly introduced. For instance, "The new rules add difficulty" versus "The added difficulty made the task nearly impossible."