are difficult to locate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are difficult to locate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing items, information, or resources that are hard to find or identify. Example: "The rare species of bird are difficult to locate in the dense forest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Many spammers are difficult to locate and to prosecute.

The Economist

I am grateful as the stairs leading up  to her top floor are difficult to locate.

Independent

The zurkhaneh pits are difficult to locate but ask a local or guide to get you a ringside seat.

The Guardian - Travel

Comprehensive child care services are difficult to locate, and fully financed family and medical leave is still controversial.

The New York Times

And, to this day, I find a lot of inspiration in stories that are difficult to locate on a comedy-tragedy scale.

The New Yorker

One reason they are difficult to locate is that they were not part of a bundle that rods are usually kept in.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

"She was difficult to locate".

The New York Times

"She has been difficult to locate and her assets have been impossible to locate," he said.

The New York Times

Theatergoers complained that the coupons were difficult to locate, but that was precisely the point.

The New York Times

The songs are short and uniformly excellent, so it's difficult to locate a focal point.

The New Yorker

Where do we find him?" "He may be difficult to locate.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts or intangible items that are not physically locatable, consider using stronger synonyms like "untraceable" or "undetectable" instead of "difficult to locate".

Common error

In everyday conversation, simpler phrases like "hard to find" or "not easy to spot" may sound more natural than "difficult to locate". Reserve the latter for more formal or technical writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are difficult to locate" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase indicating the challenge or obstacle in finding or pinpointing something. It modifies a noun, specifying that the noun possesses the quality of being hard to find. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

29%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are difficult to locate" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe the challenge of finding something, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While suitable for various contexts, it tends to appear more frequently in formal writing, particularly in scientific, news, and encyclopedic sources. For everyday conversation, consider using simpler alternatives like "are hard to find". Be mindful of the context and audience when choosing between "are difficult to locate" and its synonyms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are hard to find

Focuses on the general difficulty of finding something.

are challenging to discover

Highlights the effort required in uncovering something.

are not easily found

Emphasizes the lack of ease in the process of finding.

are tough to pinpoint

Suggests difficulty in precisely identifying or specifying something.

are elusive

Implies that something is evasive or tends to escape detection.

are obscure

Indicates that something is not well-known or is hidden from view.

are hard to detect

Focuses on the difficulty of perceiving or noticing something.

are difficult to identify

Emphasizes the challenge of recognizing or distinguishing something.

are like looking for a needle in a haystack

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey extreme difficulty in finding something.

present a locating challenge

Formal rephrasing, highlighting that locating is a challenge.

FAQs

How can I use "are difficult to locate" in a sentence?

Use "are difficult to locate" to describe something that is not easy to find or identify. For example, "The historical documents "are difficult to locate" due to poor record-keeping".

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

You can use alternatives like "are hard to find", "are challenging to discover", or "are not easily found" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "are difficult to locate" or "are hard to find"?

"Are difficult to locate" is more formal and might be preferable in technical or academic writing, while "are hard to find" is suitable for general use. The best choice depends on the desired tone and audience.

When should I use "difficult to locate" versus "difficult to identify"?

Use "difficult to locate" when something's physical position or digital location is hard to determine. Use "difficult to identify" when it's hard to recognize or distinguish something, regardless of its location.