be difficult to obtain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be difficult to obtain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is hard to acquire or achieve. Example: "The rare artifact is known to be difficult to obtain due to its limited availability."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Points will be difficult to obtain on the road.

The New York Times - Sports

However, exact data can often be difficult to obtain.

International Journal of Approximate Reasoning

But such measurements could be difficult to obtain if SARS re-emerged in poor countries.

The New York Times

But federal funding even for educational programs can be difficult to obtain.

The New York Times - Sports

Without a certain profit stream, experts say, financing for the projects will be difficult to obtain.

The New York Times

The scientific method can be expensive, and data can be difficult to obtain.

The New York Times

Statistical certainty can be difficult to obtain after major bomb attacks.

The New York Times

Additionally, FDA clearance for trials could be difficult to obtain since marijuana is a controlled substance.

Yale University

Early imprints: Material published prior to 1900 may be difficult to obtain on loan.

Princeton University

But, he wrote, "a basic planning principle is that a variance should be difficult to obtain".

The New York Times

Other species may be difficult to obtain in the first place.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about abstract concepts or data, "be difficult to obtain" is a suitable expression to highlight the challenges in acquiring accurate or reliable information. For example, "Reliable data on long-term effects can be difficult to obtain".

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of the passive construction "be difficult to obtain" can make your writing sound less direct. Consider rephrasing to an active voice construction such as, "Obtaining X is difficult" to improve clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be difficult to obtain" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically serving as a complement to a verb or adjective. As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes a state or condition of something not being easily accessible or achievable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

32%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be difficult to obtain" is a versatile phrase used to describe the challenges in acquiring or achieving something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used. Its register ranges from neutral to formal, making it suitable for various contexts, particularly in science, news, and academic writing. When using this phrase, consider the context and whether a more direct, active voice construction might improve clarity. Remember that while "be difficult to obtain" is correct, alternatives such as "be hard to get" or "be challenging to acquire" may be more appropriate depending on your audience and the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be hard to get

This alternative uses simpler vocabulary to convey the same meaning of something being not easy to obtain.

be challenging to acquire

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging" and "obtain" with "acquire", maintaining a similar level of formality.

be tough to secure

Uses more informal terms like "tough" and "secure", suggesting a slightly less formal register.

prove hard to come by

Employs the idiom "come by", indicating something is not readily available.

be problematic to procure

Replaces "difficult" with "problematic" and "obtain" with "procure", increasing the formality.

be arduous to attain

Replaces "difficult" and "obtain" with more sophisticated synonyms, "arduous" and "attain", respectively.

be not easy to come by

Expresses the difficulty in obtaining something using a more descriptive and less direct tone.

be a struggle to secure

Uses "struggle" to emphasize the effort required in obtaining something.

pose difficulties in acquisition

Shifts the sentence structure to focus on the difficulties of acquisition rather than the act of obtaining.

present a challenge to acquire

Highlights the challenging aspect of acquiring something.

FAQs

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

You can use "be difficult to obtain" to describe something that is not easily accessible or achievable. For instance, "High-resolution satellite imagery can be difficult to obtain due to cost and licensing restrictions".

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

Alternatives include "be hard to get", "be challenging to acquire", or "be tough to secure" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "be difficult to obtain" or "is difficult to obtain"?

Both "be difficult to obtain" and "is difficult to obtain" are grammatically correct, but their usage depends on the sentence structure. "Be difficult to obtain" is typically used in infinitive or subjunctive clauses, while "is difficult to obtain" is used in declarative sentences.

What makes something "be difficult to obtain"?

Something might "be difficult to obtain" due to various factors such as limited availability, high cost, strict regulations, or complex procedures. Each context will have unique reasons influencing the difficulty.