becoming increasingly difficult to

USAGE SUMMARY

"becoming increasingly difficult to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It often implies that something that has been relatively easy is becoming more and more challenging over time. For example, "It is becoming increasingly difficult to find good-quality affordable housing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

College is becoming increasingly difficult to afford.

University of California, Berkeley

However, the apprenticeship model is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain.

The New Yorker

But that is becoming increasingly difficult to ensure.

The New York Times

But global treaties are becoming increasingly difficult to conclude.

The New York Times

Is it becoming increasingly difficult to do your job?

The Guardian - Film

The reality, however, is becoming increasingly difficult to deny.

The New York Times - Food

Marseille's struggles are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

The Guardian - Sport

It's a self-image that is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain.

The Economist

The evidence of Trent Bridge suggests that it is becoming increasingly difficult to make rulings.

Independent

It is becoming increasingly difficult to see what Syriza's tactics have achieved.

The Economist

But it's becoming increasingly difficult to make such arrangements online, in advance.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "becoming increasingly difficult to" to clearly express a gradual increase in the level of challenge or complexity associated with a task, situation, or goal. For instance, "Becoming increasingly difficult to ignore, the evidence mounted against the defendant."

Common error

While "becoming increasingly difficult to" emphasizes the growth of difficulty, avoid adding redundant intensifiers like "very" or "extremely". Instead of saying "becoming very increasingly difficult to", stick to the core phrase for clearer communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "becoming increasingly difficult to" functions as a verbal phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a progressive increase in the level of difficulty associated with a particular action or state. Ludwig's examples show a wide range of subjects that can be qualified in this way.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

25%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "becoming increasingly difficult to" is a versatile phrase used to describe a gradual increase in challenge or complexity. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely used. Predominantly found in News & Media and scientific contexts, this phrase effectively conveys a sense of growing concern or a worsening situation. When using "becoming increasingly difficult to", ensure it accurately reflects a gradual change, avoid redundant intensifiers, and consider the alternatives provided to refine your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

growing more challenging to

Focuses on the escalating difficulty rather than a specific degree.

getting harder to

Emphasizes the increase in difficulty in a more colloquial manner.

proving more troublesome to

Highlights the increasing problems or annoyance associated with something.

presenting a greater challenge to

Shifts the focus to the challenge itself becoming more significant.

turning into a greater struggle to

Implies a more intense effort is now required.

becoming more problematic to

Emphasizes that problems are increasing.

posing more of an obstacle to

Highlights the obstructive nature of the increasing difficulty.

becoming less feasible to

Focuses on the decreasing practicality or possibility of something.

growing more complicated to

Highlights that increasing complexity causes the difficulty.

becoming increasingly unsustainable to

Emphasizes the growing inability to maintain or continue something.

FAQs

How can I use "becoming increasingly difficult to" in a sentence?

You can use "becoming increasingly difficult to" to describe a situation where something is progressively getting harder. For instance, "It is "becoming increasingly difficult to" ignore the effects of climate change".

What are some alternatives to "becoming increasingly difficult to"?

Alternatives include "growing more challenging to", "getting harder to", or "proving more troublesome to" depending on the specific context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "becoming increasingly difficult to"?

While grammatically correct, ensure that the phrase accurately reflects a gradual increase in difficulty. If the difficulty appeared suddenly, a phrase like "suddenly difficult" might be more appropriate. Overusing it can also make your writing sound repetitive.

What's the difference between "becoming increasingly difficult to" and "is difficult"?

"Is difficult" describes a current state of difficulty, while "becoming increasingly difficult to" indicates a change over time. For example, "Solving this problem is difficult" versus "Solving this problem is "becoming increasingly difficult to" due to new regulations".