are difficult to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are difficult to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that poses a challenge or is hard to accomplish. Example: "These math problems are difficult to solve without a calculator."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are difficult to like.

The New York Times - Books

They are difficult to discipline.

Independent

Poems are difficult to silence.

The New Yorker

Details are difficult to obtain.

The Economist

Biographies are difficult to classify.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But reputations are difficult to change.

The New York Times

Housing markets are difficult to short.

The Economist

Yet the issues are difficult to separate.

Independent

Precise numbers are difficult to gauge.

The New York Times

These paintings are difficult to categorize.

The New York Times - Arts

The rules are difficult to enforce.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a complex issue, use "are difficult to" to highlight the challenges involved in understanding or resolving it. For example: "These economic models are difficult to interpret due to the number of variables involved."

Common error

Avoid overusing passive constructions with "are difficult to", as it can make your writing sound vague. Instead of "Solutions are difficult to find", consider a more direct approach: "Finding solutions is difficult."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are difficult to" primarily functions as a copular verb phrase that links a subject to a predicate adjective, indicating that the subject possesses the quality of being challenging or not easily accomplished. Ludwig examples show its use across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

22%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are difficult to" is a versatile and common expression used to convey the presence of challenges or complexities across various domains. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.

Analysis of Ludwig's examples reveals that "are difficult to" is frequently employed in News & Media and Science. When writing, it's advisable to avoid overuse of passive voice to maintain a direct and engaging tone. Alternatives such as "are challenging to" or "are hard to" can offer slight variations in meaning and tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are challenging to

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging", implying a stimulating difficulty.

are hard to

Uses "hard" as a simpler synonym for "difficult".

are tough to

Employs "tough" to suggest a resilient and demanding difficulty.

are complex to

Indicates the difficulty arises from intricate details and interconnectedness.

are problematic to

Suggests the difficulty is due to potential issues or complications.

are arduous to

Highlights the effort and strain involved in overcoming the difficulty.

are tricky to

Implies a need for cunning or skill to navigate the difficulty.

are laborious to

Focuses on the time and energy required to manage the difficulty.

are awkward to

Suggests the difficulty comes from a lack of smoothness or grace.

are troublesome to

Highlights the inconvenience and annoyance caused by the difficulty.

FAQs

How do I use "are difficult to" in a sentence?

Use "are difficult to" to describe something challenging or complex. For instance, "These concepts are difficult to grasp without prior knowledge."

What can I say instead of "are difficult to"?

You can use alternatives like "are challenging to", "are hard to", or "are complex to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "are difficult to"?

It's appropriate when you want to express that something requires significant effort, skill, or understanding. For example, "These negotiations are difficult to navigate due to conflicting interests."

What's the difference between "are difficult to" and "are hard to"?

While both convey a sense of challenge, "are difficult to" can imply a more nuanced or complex obstacle, whereas "are hard to" is generally simpler and more direct.