becomes difficult at times

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "becomes difficult at times" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or task that is not consistently easy and may present challenges occasionally. Example: "Learning a new language can be exciting, but it becomes difficult at times when trying to grasp complex grammar rules."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I imagine that helps, too. A. It helps, and it becomes difficult at times, too.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

With the play of muscles as he knotted and looped his limbs, shifting through positions, it became difficult at times to separate reality from illusion.

The New York Times - Arts

You're like, 'That's unbelievable.' " It has become difficult at times to distinguish among domain-name speculation, cybersquatting and outright theft.

The New York Times

There was a lack of cohesion in our play and it became difficult at times.

BBC

Borrowing will become difficult, at least at affordable rates.

Huffington Post

To fulfill the requisites of DOT, the patient often has to compromise with his personal, family and social obligations which at times becomes difficult to sustain and leads to treatment interruption.

Plosone

At times it becomes difficult to tell where pastime ends and serious mathematics begins.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At times it becomes difficult not to feel as Inez does, eavesdropping on Tuffy as he entertains his friends with plans for an imaginary Cap'n Crunch movie.

The New York Times - Books

As leader, he has focused most on those issues around which all can rally: infrastructure, industrial policy and apprenticeships, for example.But things become difficult for him at times, like this, when the different groups disagree.

The Economist

The delayed transition into ease may become difficult to bear at times, but just remember that Allah would never put you in a situation that you cannot handle.

Huffington Post

Commonly, when using a simpler design for a time series experiment, it becomes difficult to relate the gene expression differences at the different time points to each other.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "becomes difficult at times" to acknowledge that something isn't consistently easy but faces occasional challenges. This provides a balanced and realistic perspective, avoiding extremes.

Common error

Avoid using "becomes difficult at times" when a situation is consistently challenging. This phrase is best suited for scenarios with intermittent, not constant, difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "becomes difficult at times" functions as a qualifier, indicating that a situation or task doesn't consistently present challenges but experiences periods of increased difficulty. It conveys a nuanced perspective, acknowledging both ease and hardship. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

21%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "becomes difficult at times" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe situations that are not consistently easy but face occasional challenges. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Predominantly found in news, media, and scientific contexts, it offers a balanced and realistic assessment. When using this phrase, ensure the situation genuinely presents intermittent challenges rather than constant struggles. Alternatives like "is sometimes challenging" or "presents occasional difficulties" can be considered for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is sometimes challenging

Replaces "becomes difficult at times" with a more concise and common expression.

is not always easy

Offers a simpler and more direct way of expressing the idea.

presents occasional difficulties

Swaps "becomes" with "presents" and rearranges the sentence structure slightly.

occasionally poses challenges

This alternative uses stronger vocabulary implying a more significant obstacle.

can be tough sometimes

Uses informal language to convey a similar meaning.

experiences periods of difficulty

Focuses on the cyclical nature of the difficulty, highlighting that it comes and goes.

occasionally proves arduous

Employs a more formal and intense term ("arduous") to describe the difficulty.

has its trying moments

This alternative uses metaphorical language.

proves problematic from time to time

Substitutes "difficult" with "problematic", suggesting the presence of specific issues or obstacles.

runs into snags now and then

Uses the informal term "snags" for difficulties. It is an idiom.

FAQs

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

You can use "becomes difficult at times" to describe a task or situation that is not always easy. For example: "Learning a new language "becomes difficult at times" when trying to grasp complex grammar rules".

What are some alternatives to "becomes difficult at times"?

Alternatives include "is sometimes challenging", "presents occasional difficulties", or "can be tough sometimes", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "becomes difficult at times"?

Use "becomes difficult at times" when you want to indicate that something is generally manageable, but occasionally presents challenges. This phrase is not suitable for describing situations that are consistently hard.

What is the difference between "becomes difficult at times" and "is always difficult"?

"Becomes difficult at times" suggests intermittent difficulty, while "is always difficult" indicates consistent challenge. The first implies that the situation is manageable most of the time, while the second suggests a constant struggle.