becoming ever more difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "becoming ever more difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or task that is increasingly challenging over time. Example: "As the project progresses, it is becoming ever more difficult to meet the deadlines set by management."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Over all, however, Mr. Magen feels integration is becoming ever more difficult.

The New York Times

"The global situation surrounding Japan is becoming ever more difficult," Mr Abe said in a televised press conference.

Independent

"The global situation surrounding Japan is becoming ever more difficult," Mr. Abe said in a televised press conference last night.

Independent

In his case, it began with everyday routines and activities – like tying shoelaces – becoming ever more difficult.

The Guardian - Opinion

It seems that to write, or even to say, anything else about Iran is becoming ever more difficult - irrelevant, even.

The Guardian - Opinion

After all, it is becoming ever more difficult to think of a country that would like to see its currency appreciate.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Online privacy is becoming ever more important and ever more difficult to achieve.

University of California, Berkeley

In a world which is becoming ever more challenging and difficult to cover, it is essential that we in traditional media organisations do not succumb to fear and cave in.

The Guardian

There's a great scene where they go to the doughnut store; the camera switches and gives you control of Mae's paws as she grabs and eats doughnut after doughnut, her limbs becoming ever more shaky and difficult to control.

The Guardian - Tech

Cricket's task becomes ever more difficult.

The Guardian - Sport

It is bad news for Colonel Mohamed Abdali, head of the interior ministry's counter-narcotics police team in Helmand, whose already difficult job is becoming ever more challenging.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a trend or a process that is getting tougher over time, use "becoming ever more difficult" to highlight the increasing challenge.

Common error

While "becoming ever more difficult" is appropriate, avoid piling on further intensifiers. Phrases like "becoming extremely ever more difficult" are redundant and weaken your writing. Choose your intensifiers carefully.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "becoming ever more difficult" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically modifying a noun or clause to indicate a progressive increase in the level of difficulty. This is supported by the examples provided by Ludwig, where it describes situations in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

23%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "becoming ever more difficult" is a grammatically correct and commonly used way to describe a situation that is progressively increasing in difficulty. Ludwig confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's important to avoid redundancy by not adding excessive intensifiers. Consider related phrases like "growing increasingly challenging" for similar meanings, and be mindful of your audience when choosing the most appropriate alternative. The frequency of its usage positions this phrase as a valuable tool in describing escalating challenges.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

growing increasingly challenging

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging" and uses "increasingly" instead of "ever more", maintaining a similar level of formality.

becoming progressively harder

Substitutes "ever more difficult" with "progressively harder", slightly reducing formality.

becoming increasingly problematic

Replaces "difficult" with "problematic", shifting the focus to the problematic nature of the situation.

posing greater and greater challenges

Uses a different structure, focusing on the challenges being posed rather than the state of becoming.

presenting escalating difficulties

Emphasizes the escalating nature of the difficulties, using a more formal tone.

growing ever more complex

Replaces "difficult" with "complex", focusing on the increase in complexity rather than difficulty.

turning into a tougher task

Adopts a more informal tone, using "tougher task" instead of "difficult".

becoming a greater struggle

Emphasizes the effort required by using the word "struggle".

morphing into a more uphill battle

Uses the metaphor of an uphill battle to describe increasing difficulty.

progressing into a greater hardship

Replaces "difficult" with "hardship", emphasizing the severity of the situation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "becoming ever more difficult" to sound more formal?

Consider using phrases like "increasingly challenging" or "presenting escalating difficulties" for a more formal tone.

What are some alternatives to "becoming ever more difficult" in informal writing?

In less formal contexts, you might prefer phrases such as "turning into a tougher task" or "becoming a greater struggle".

Is "becoming ever more difficult" grammatically correct?

Yes, "becoming ever more difficult" is grammatically sound. The phrase adheres to standard English grammar rules, as confirmed by Ludwig.

What's the difference between "becoming ever more difficult" and "becoming more and more difficult"?

Both phrases convey the same meaning, but "becoming ever more difficult" might be perceived as slightly more emphatic or formal than "becoming more and more difficult".