an increasingly difficult problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an increasingly difficult problem" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation or issue that is becoming more challenging over time. Example: "As technology evolves, cybersecurity has become an increasingly difficult problem for organizations to manage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Drones are becoming an increasingly difficult problem.

The Guardian - Tech

Noise and component failure is an increasingly difficult problem in modern electronic design.

Biosystems

By and large you're trying to push back the tide, an increasingly difficult problem for the Kremlin".

Independent

The Green Berets have stepped in to deal with an increasingly difficult problem for the Saudi military.

The New York Times

But he alluded to her record as a disappearing diva in other houses, saying her cancellations have become "an increasingly difficult problem for us".

The New York Times - Arts

In this scenario, the Gene Wiki would be used as a crowdsourced method to identify the most relevant scientific literature [ 32], an increasingly difficult problem based on the rapid growth of PubMed.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Those officials say the Pentagon's handling of the headquarters staffing matter reflects serious flaws in how the administration is tackling the increasingly difficult problem of providing security and stability in Iraq.

The New York Times

As filter operating frequencies approach higher and higher frequencies, their response begins to change in unpredictable ways, presenting the designer with an increasingly difficult design problem.

Op Amps for Everyone

The disposal of fly ash poses increasingly difficult problems for many urbanized regions.

Construction and Building Materials

Under such conditions it was inevitable that the Ottoman government could not meet the increasingly difficult problems that plagued the empire in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the late nineteen-fifties, Phil Graham's health and behavior also presented increasingly difficult problems — problems that might have been solved with medication, if he had not refused it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an increasingly difficult problem", ensure the context clearly establishes the initial state or past condition that makes the problem's escalation evident. This provides a stronger sense of the issue's growing challenge.

Common error

Avoid using "an increasingly difficult problem" for minor inconveniences. Reserve it for situations where the difficulty genuinely escalates over time, not just for describing something that's always been challenging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an increasingly difficult problem" functions as a noun phrase, where "increasingly difficult" modifies the noun "problem". It describes a situation or issue that is growing in complexity or severity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an increasingly difficult problem" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a situation that is becoming more challenging over time. As validated by Ludwig, it's suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedic content. When using the phrase, it's best to highlight the escalation of the problem and avoid overstating its severity. Alternatives such as "a mounting challenge" or "a growing concern" can be used to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a progressively harder issue

Replaces "increasingly difficult" with "progressively harder", focusing on the gradual increase in difficulty.

a steadily worsening predicament

Substitutes "problem" with "predicament" and emphasizes the deteriorating nature of the situation.

a mounting challenge

Replaces "difficult problem" with "mounting challenge", highlighting the growing scale of the difficulty.

a growing concern

Shifts the focus to the increasing level of worry or anxiety associated with the problem.

an escalating crisis

Emphasizes the rapid and intensifying nature of the problem, framing it as a crisis.

a compounding complexity

Highlights the increasing intricacy and interconnectedness of the problem's elements.

a deepening dilemma

Focuses on the entrenchment and lack of easy solutions to the problem.

a worsening situation

Broadly describes the problem as deteriorating over time.

an ever-growing struggle

Emphasizes the continuous and persistent effort required to deal with the problem.

a continuously complex issue

Uses "continuously complex issue" to highlight the ongoing and multifaceted nature of the problem.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "an increasingly difficult problem"?

You can use alternatives like "a mounting challenge", "a growing concern", or "a progressively harder issue" depending on the specific context.

How do I use "an increasingly difficult problem" in a sentence?

Use it to describe a situation where a problem is becoming more challenging over time. For example, "As technology evolves, cybersecurity has become "an increasingly difficult problem" for organizations to manage."

What makes a problem "an increasingly difficult problem"?

It's a problem that escalates in complexity or severity over time, requiring more effort or resources to address compared to its initial state. The problem is not just difficult but is demonstrably getting harder.

Is it appropriate to use "an increasingly difficult problem" in formal writing?

Yes, it is suitable for formal writing. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and used in reputable sources like news articles, academic papers, and business reports.