become more difficult to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become more difficult to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation or task that is increasingly challenging or complex over time. Example: "As the project progressed, it became more difficult to meet the deadlines due to unforeseen complications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So it has become more difficult to detect.

The New York Times

It may become more difficult to raise money, she said.

The New York Times

"It will become more difficult to communicate between the players.

The Guardian - Sport

The arguments for making sacrifices to protect the coal industry will become more difficult to sustain.

The New Yorker

But with each passing week, cuts for this fiscal year become more difficult to carry out.

The New York Times

Since the nineties, though, it's become more difficult to define the aesthetic of a particular decade.

The New Yorker

He tells me that it has become more difficult to deliver bad news.

The New York Times

It consequently has become more difficult to ascribe medical accomplishments to particular individuals.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Did it become more difficult to find characters you wanted to play?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Yet, Woods rarely beats himself, which is why he has become more difficult to beat.

The New York Times - Sports

It will become more difficult to open new restaurants, because the banks are not lending".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Specify the area where things become more difficult. For instance, "It will "become more difficult to implement" the policy" is more informative than just saying "It will "become more difficult to"".

Common error

Avoid using "become more difficult to" without specifying the object or action affected. Saying simply "things become more difficult" lacks clarity; instead, clarify "tasks have "become more difficult to" do".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become more difficult to" functions as a verbal phrase that indicates a change in the level of difficulty associated with a particular task, action, or situation. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "become more difficult to" is a versatile phrase used to describe an increasing level of challenge or complexity. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and very common across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedic content. The phrase serves to express that something is progressively becoming harder to achieve. For alternatives, consider phrases like "grow increasingly challenging to" or "become harder to". When using "become more difficult to", make sure to specify what is becoming more difficult, in order to avoid vagueness. Overall, this phrase is a reliable way to express increasing difficulty in numerous situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become harder to

A more direct and simpler way to express the same idea.

grow increasingly challenging to

Emphasizes a gradual increase in difficulty.

be more of a struggle to

Focuses on the effort required due to increasing difficulty.

prove more troublesome to

Highlights the problematic aspect of increasing difficulty.

pose a greater challenge for

Emphasizes the challenge aspect rather than just difficulty.

present more of an obstacle to

Focuses on the hindering effect of increased difficulty.

start to be an uphill battle to

Suggests a prolonged and strenuous effort is required.

becoming increasingly problematic for

Highlights the problematic aspect of the action

present greater complications for

Emphasizes the complex and intricate nature of the increasing difficulty.

turn into a greater ordeal to

Implies a negative and unpleasant experience due to difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "become more difficult to" in a sentence?

You can use "become more difficult to" to describe a gradual increase in complexity or challenge. For example, "As the project progressed, it "become more difficult to" manage the increasing number of tasks".

What are some alternatives to "become more difficult to"?

Some alternatives include "grow increasingly challenging to", "become harder to", or "prove more troublesome to", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "becomes more difficult to"?

Yes, "becomes more difficult to" is grammatically correct when used with a singular subject. For example, "It becomes more difficult to maintain focus when there are many distractions".

What is the difference between "become more difficult to" and "is more difficult to"?

"Become more difficult to" implies a change over time, suggesting that something is progressively increasing in difficulty. "Is more difficult to" simply states that something is currently challenging, without necessarily implying a change or progression.