be difficult to avoid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be difficult to avoid" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations, behaviors, or outcomes that are challenging to evade or escape from. Example: "In a crowded city, noise pollution can be difficult to avoid, especially during rush hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If we don't, it will be difficult to avoid setbacks".

The New York Times

Then it may be difficult to avoid a recession".

The New York Times

Kentridge will be difficult to avoid in London this autumn.

The Guardian - Books

These occur often and can be difficult to avoid.

The Guardian - Opinion

"With cuts of this magnitude," Mr. Hook said, "it'll be difficult to avoid having an impact".

The New York Times

But it will be difficult to avoid one if spending shortfalls continue.

The Economist

But those can be difficult to avoid, and doing so may affect a person's quality of life.

Harvard University

A fuel tax, unlike a Tobin tax, would also be difficult to avoid, even if levied only in Europe.

The Economist

This suggests that significant variation in analysis of complex data may be difficult to avoid, even by experts with honest intentions.

University of California, Berkeley

At the senior level, Tory members of the cabinet have concluded that it will be difficult to avoid some kind of election arrangement with the Lib Dems.

The Guardian

In fact, we find that it will be difficult to avoid supply shortages even under a slow 1%/ year worldwide nuclear energy phase-out scenario up to 2025.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "be difficult to avoid", ensure that the context clearly establishes what specific action or outcome is hard to prevent or evade. Providing concrete examples enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "be difficult to avoid" when the situation is merely inconvenient or slightly challenging. Reserve it for scenarios where evasion is genuinely arduous or improbable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be difficult to avoid" functions as a predicate adjective phrase. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It modifies a noun or pronoun by describing something that presents a challenge to evade or prevent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

38%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be difficult to avoid" is a versatile expression used to describe situations or outcomes that are challenging to prevent or evade. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and wide usage make it suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports and scientific articles to everyday conversations. While alternatives like "be hard to evade" or "be challenging to circumvent" exist, it's important to select the most appropriate synonym based on the specific nuance you intend to convey. When using this phrase, clarity and avoiding overstatement are key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be hard to evade

Emphasizes the challenge in escaping or dodging something.

be challenging to circumvent

Highlights the complexity of finding a way around something.

be tough to prevent

Focuses on the difficulty in stopping something from happening.

be almost impossible to sidestep

Suggests that directly confronting the issue is the only feasible approach.

be practically unavoidable

Indicates a high likelihood of occurrence, making avoidance nearly impossible.

be scarcely escapable

Underscores the slim chances of getting away from the situation.

be barely avertable

Focuses on narrowly succeeding at preventing an event from taking place.

be substantially inescapable

Highlights the significant degree to which something cannot be avoided.

be virtually unpreventable

Indicates that preventing something is close to impossible in practical terms.

be largely insurmountable to evade

Highlights the extreme difficulty of evading a particular outcome due to overwhelming obstacles.

FAQs

How can I use "be difficult to avoid" in a sentence?

Use "be difficult to avoid" to describe situations or outcomes that are challenging to evade. For example: "In a crowded city, noise pollution can "be difficult to avoid", especially during rush hour".

What are some alternatives to "be difficult to avoid"?

You can use alternatives like "be hard to evade", "be challenging to circumvent", or "be tough to prevent" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "be difficult to avoid"?

It is appropriate when discussing situations or outcomes that present genuine obstacles to evasion, emphasizing that averting them is significantly challenging. Avoid using this phrase for trivial matters or simple inconveniences.

Is "be difficult to avoid" formal or informal?

The phrase ""be difficult to avoid"" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness largely depends on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the communication.