are difficult to solve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are difficult to solve" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing problems, puzzles, or challenges that require significant effort or skill to find a solution. Example: "The mathematical equations presented in the exam are difficult to solve without a calculator."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

The challenges we faced in our pilot project are difficult to solve.

The Guardian

It is priceless, because it acknowledges that most problems are difficult to solve and that governments can no longer pull levers and get results.

The Guardian - Opinion

In a strange interview with China Daily published today, he sounded less than contrite, saying the "problem involves character and cultural differences, which are difficult to solve through counseling".

The New Yorker

There are technological solutions for the resulting problems of solid wastes and air and water pollution, but the political and economic problems of how the costs will be distributed are difficult to solve.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although issues of publication bias are difficult to solve overnight, researchers can improve the reliability of their research by adopting well-established (but often ignored) scientific principles: We can consider statistical power in the design of our studies, and in the interpretation of our results.

The Guardian

They are difficult to solve exactly.

Computers & Operations Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

It is difficult to solve in practice.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The last problem seems to be difficult to solve analytically.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

However, it is difficult to solve the fractional differential equations.

Advances in Difference Equations

The problem is difficult to solve for the traditional cryptography.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

Note that it is difficult to solve (9) directly.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "are difficult to solve", ensure that the context clearly identifies the specific problems being referenced. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the communication.

Common error

Avoid using "are difficult to solve" as a blanket statement without specifying the nature or scope of the problems. Providing context or examples enhances clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are difficult to solve" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun, describing the inherent challenging nature of problems or issues. It highlights the complexity and effort required to find a resolution. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

18%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are difficult to solve" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe problems requiring significant effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, it frequently appears in various contexts, especially in science and news media. While alternatives like "are hard to resolve" or "are challenging to address" exist, this phrase clearly conveys the complexity and potential challenges in finding solutions. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the problems and avoiding overgeneralizations. Its frequency and wide usage underscore its effectiveness in communicating the challenging nature of certain issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are hard to resolve

This alternative replaces "difficult" with "hard" and "solve" with "resolve", resulting in a slightly less formal tone.

are challenging to address

This alternative uses "challenging" instead of "difficult" and "address" instead of "solve", suggesting a task that requires effort and skill.

are tough to solve

This option replaces "difficult" with "tough", conveying a sense of resilience needed to overcome the problem.

are not easy to solve

This expresses the difficulty by negating the ease of solving the problem, adding a subtle emphasis.

present a challenge to solve

This restructures the sentence to focus on the challenge the problems pose, rather than their inherent difficulty.

are problematic to resolve

It uses "problematic" to describe difficulty, framing the issues as inherently causing problems during resolution.

are complex to work out

It uses "complex" and "work out" shifting focus to the intricate nature of the problem and the effort needed.

are intricate to solve

This replaces "difficult" with "intricate", highlighting the complex and detailed nature of the problems.

are resistant to solutions

This emphasizes that the problems actively resist being solved, adding a layer of resistance.

pose significant solving obstacles

The rephrasing highlights the obstacles that impede the solving process, shifting the focus from difficulty to barriers.

FAQs

What does "are difficult to solve" mean?

The phrase "are difficult to solve" indicates that certain problems or issues require significant effort, skill, or resources to resolve. It suggests that finding a solution is not straightforward.

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

You can use alternatives like "are hard to resolve", "are challenging to address", or "are tough to solve" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "are difficult to solve"?

It's suitable when describing problems in academic, professional, or everyday contexts where the process of finding a solution is expected to be complex or demanding.

How does the phrase "are difficult to solve" differ from "are impossible to solve"?

"Are difficult to solve" implies that a solution is possible but requires significant effort, whereas "are impossible to solve" suggests that no solution exists, regardless of the effort applied.