as difficult as possible for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as difficult as possible for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation or task that is intentionally made challenging for someone or something. Example: "The teacher designed the exam to be as difficult as possible for the students to test their limits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"They're trying to make it as difficult as possible for the CEFC".

The Guardian

And, starting here, Haaland is considering making life as difficult as possible for a hated enemy.

The Guardian - Sport

Congress had being making life as difficult as possible for Mr Castañeda even before last week.

The Economist

Once the islanders were in Britain, it was made as difficult as possible for them to return home.

The Guardian

I want the guys to make it as difficult as possible for the coaches to select that team".

The Guardian - Sport

"They are obviously trying to make life as difficult as possible for him," says Father Lawson's lawyer.

The Guardian

Mr. Menem has made it clear that he intends to make life as difficult as possible for the new president.

The New York Times

The only way to stem my gluttony, I've discovered, is to make things as difficult as possible for myself.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"They're making it as difficult as possible for people to arrive here," said Greg Ó Ceallaigh, an immigration lawyer.

Independent

Republicans, facing a difficult election year and bitter about their minority status, have chosen to make things as difficult as possible for Democrats.

The New York Times

Since the shootings at Virginia Tech a year ago, our school has made it as difficult as possible for students to put guns in their films.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as difficult as possible for", ensure the context clearly identifies who or what is facing the difficulty. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid vagueness by explicitly stating who or what is experiencing the difficulty. For example, instead of saying "they made it as difficult as possible", specify "they made it "as difficult as possible for" the refugees".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as difficult as possible for" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, often 'make', to indicate the degree of difficulty being imposed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as difficult as possible for" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe actions intended to create challenges or obstacles for a specific target. Ludwig AI validates its frequent appearance across diverse contexts, mainly news and media, and business communications. While often negative, its intent can be strategic in competitive settings. When employing this phrase, clarity is crucial; explicitly state who or what is experiencing the difficulty to avoid ambiguity. Remember, while "as difficult as possible for" seeks to complicate, careful and precise writing should always aim to clarify.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to make it challenging for

Focuses on making something challenging, emphasizing the level of difficulty created.

to create obstacles for

Highlights the act of placing obstacles, emphasizing the impediment aspect.

to set hurdles for

Similar to creating obstacles, but with a connotation of specific challenges that need to be overcome.

to complicate matters for

Emphasizes the act of making things more complex for someone or something.

to present challenges for

Highlights the act of presenting difficulties, stressing the aspect of confronting challenges.

to impede the progress of

Focuses on hindering or slowing down the advancement of something.

to obstruct the path of

Highlights the act of blocking or hindering someone's or something's progress.

to make life hard for

A more informal way of saying to make things difficult.

to disadvantage someone

Focuses on putting someone in an unfavorable position.

to put someone at a disadvantage

Similar to disadvantaging, but with an explicit mention of being in a less favorable position.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "as difficult as possible for"?

You can use alternatives like "to make it "challenging for"", "to create "obstacles for"", or "to "complicate matters for"" depending on the context.

What does it mean to make something "as difficult as possible for" someone?

It means to intentionally create conditions or obstacles that make it very hard for that person or entity to achieve a goal or succeed in a task.

Is it always negative to make things "as difficult as possible for" someone?

While often negative, it can also be used strategically in competitive situations, like sports or business, where increasing the difficulty for opponents is a legitimate tactic. For example, "We have to make it "as difficult as possible for" Arsenal and score a goal".

Which is correct, "as difficult as possible for" or "as easy as possible for"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have opposite meanings. "As difficult as possible for" implies intentionally making something hard, while "as "as easy as possible for"" implies intentionally making something simple or convenient.