becomes difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "becomes difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or task that is increasingly challenging or hard to manage over time. Example: "As the project progressed, it becomes difficult to meet the deadlines due to unforeseen complications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Gambling becomes difficult.

The New Yorker

It becomes difficult.

The New York Times

Comparison shopping becomes difficult.

The New York Times

It becomes difficult to maintain faith.

The New Yorker

That's where it becomes difficult".

The New York Times

When markets dry up, price discovery becomes difficult.

The Economist

But as bond yields rise, servicing that debt becomes difficult.

The Economist

The math becomes difficult, but the Yankees believe in it.

The New York Times

That's when it becomes difficult all of a sudden.

The New York Times

The balance between hope and resignation becomes difficult to strike.

The Guardian - Books

It becomes difficult to decipher what style and dressy is".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "becomes difficult" to describe a process or situation that gradually increases in complexity or challenge. This implies a change over time, rather than an inherent difficulty from the start.

Common error

Avoid using "becomes difficult" to describe something that is inherently difficult from the beginning. Instead, use adjectives like "challenging", "complex", or "intricate" to describe static difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "becomes difficult" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of a subject as it transitions to being more challenging. Ludwig AI provides examples showing its use in various contexts, such as gambling or maintaining faith.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "becomes difficult" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to describe a transition to a more challenging state. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. When writing, ensure you're describing a process that gradually increases in difficulty, and consider synonyms like "grows challenging" or "turns tough" for variety. By understanding its function and purpose, you can effectively incorporate the phrase "becomes difficult" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grows challenging

Focuses on the increasing level of challenge.

turns tough

Emphasizes the increasing severity and hardship.

gets harder

Highlights the increasing effort required.

evolves into a struggle

Suggests a gradual transformation into a difficult situation.

progresses to be complicated

Emphasizes the increasing complexity of the situation.

develops into a problem

Focuses on the emergence of a problematic situation.

descends into chaos

Highlights the degradation into a state of disorder.

deteriorates into a crisis

Implies a worsening situation leading to a critical point.

morphs into a hardship

Suggests a transformation into a state of difficulty and suffering.

escalates to be unmanageable

Highlights the increasing scale and lack of control.

FAQs

How can I use "becomes difficult" in a sentence?

You can use "becomes difficult" to describe a situation or task that is progressively challenging over time. For example: "As the project continued, it "becomes difficult" to meet the deadlines".

What are some alternatives to "becomes difficult"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "grows challenging", "turns tough", or "gets harder".

Is it better to say "it is difficult" or "it becomes difficult"?

Say "it is difficult" when describing a state that's always been challenging. Use "it "becomes difficult"" when a situation progressively increases in difficulty over time.

When is it inappropriate to use "becomes difficult"?

Avoid using ""becomes difficult"" when describing something that's inherently challenging from the outset. In such cases, other adjectives can be more appropriate.