be made difficult by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be made difficult by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is complicated or challenging due to certain factors or circumstances. Example: "The project timeline may be made difficult by unforeseen delays in the supply chain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Yet proving infringement can be made difficult by the complexity -some say opacity - of the copyright law.

The New York Times

The task of establishing facts about new technology may be made difficult by the lack of an adequate sample or other reliable data on the effects of new technology.

Columbia University

UN talks on how to implement the Paris agreement will take place next month in Poland but progress may be made difficult by the withdrawal of the US and the anti-Paris stance taken by Brazil's new president, Jair Bolsonaro.

The Guardian

United are aware any move to sign Alderweireld will be made difficult by the tough negotiating skills of Daniel Levy, especially as the Tottenham chairman will not wish to sell a prime asset to a direct rival.

The Guardian - Sport

Translations could also be made difficult by existence of homonyms in the source language.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

But Saumi says his job will be made difficult by Albion's financial problems.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Planning is made difficult by state budget uncertainties.

The New York Times

However, evaluations of their performance are made difficult by differences across patients and devices.

Chest

Its application is made difficult by the complex structure of these errors.

Journal of Statistical Planning and Inference

This is made difficult by process nonlinearities, complex dynamics and tight manipulated variable saturation constraints.

Control Engineering Practice

Access from the sea is made difficult by the surf and by a long submarine sandbar.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be made difficult by", ensure that the subject causing the difficulty is clearly identified to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "be made difficult by" with an unspecified or unclear subject. Always specify what exactly is causing the difficulty to avoid confusing the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be made difficult by" functions as a passive construction used to indicate that an action or process is complicated or obstructed by a particular factor. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable phrase in written English. The examples show its role in attributing difficulty.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be made difficult by" is a grammatically sound and relatively common construction used to express that something is complicated or hindered by a specific factor. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for use in English. It is most frequently encountered in news, scientific, and encyclopedia contexts, indicating a formal to neutral register. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure that the cause of the difficulty is clearly identified. Consider alternatives such as "be hindered by" or "be complicated by" for stylistic variation. While the phrase itself is correct, careful attention to sentence structure and context will maximize its effectiveness in conveying the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be hindered by

Uses a different verb to convey the sense of being obstructed.

be complicated by

Emphasizes the increase in complexity as a result of something.

be hampered by

Suggests a restriction or impediment to progress.

be impeded by

Focuses on the obstruction of movement or progress.

face challenges due to

Highlights the challenges encountered as a result of something.

encounter obstacles because of

Stresses the presence of obstacles that arise from a cause.

suffer setbacks due to

Indicates negative consequences or delays caused by something.

be undermined by

Suggests a weakening or erosion of something's effectiveness.

be adversely affected by

Focuses on the negative impact or influence of something.

struggle as a result of

Highlights the effort and difficulty experienced due to something.

FAQs

How can I use "be made difficult by" in a sentence?

You can use "be made difficult by" to describe how certain factors complicate a task or situation. For instance, "The project timeline "be made difficult by" unforeseen delays."

What are some alternatives to "be made difficult by"?

Alternatives include phrases like "be hindered by", "be complicated by", or "face challenges due to" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "be made difficult by"?

While "be made difficult by" is in the passive voice, it's often appropriate when the focus is on the action being affected rather than the actor causing the difficulty. However, consider using the active voice for a more direct and concise statement if the actor is important.

What's the difference between "be made difficult by" and "be impossible by"?

"Be made difficult by" implies that something is still possible but more challenging, whereas "be impossible by" suggests that something is completely unattainable due to certain factors.