becoming increasingly more difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'becoming increasingly more difficult' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a situation that is getting harder or more challenging. For example, "The math problems have been becoming increasingly more difficult as the school year progresses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Being on all sides of a deal is becoming increasingly more difficult.

The New York Times

Regardless of your thoughts on Man of Steel, it's becoming increasingly more difficult to evade the excitement surrounding its follow-up Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Independent

"It's becoming increasingly more difficult for the North to commit to providing resources, so more South-South cooperation is inevitable," said Geoffrey Wahungu, head of the Kenyan delegation to the summit.

The New York Times

But analysts said the difference was that the new generation was becoming increasingly easy to use, while becoming increasingly more difficult to police, possibly forcing record companies to sue individual users, a daunting, if not impossible task.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, in a nation of more than 300 million people, it is becoming increasingly more difficult to produce enough wholesome food for everyone, especially as we start using our agricultural prowess to fuel our monstrous fleet of S.U.V.'s.

The New York Times

But it is becoming increasingly more difficult to do that.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"Resources are becoming constrained, and that means many of the things we have been doing are going to become increasingly more difficult".

BBC

The illegal knock-off industry is growing, becoming increasingly more sophisticated and difficult to police.

Huffington Post

Clearly, design is becoming increasingly more relevant to people.

The New York Times

"But that goal is now becoming increasingly more likely".

Forbes

Salons are becoming increasingly more flexible.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "becoming increasingly more difficult", ensure the context clearly establishes what is causing the increased difficulty. Be specific about the factors contributing to the challenge.

Common error

Avoid using "becoming increasingly more difficult" for situations that are only slightly challenging. Reserve this phrase for scenarios where the difficulty is genuinely and noticeably escalating.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "becoming increasingly more difficult" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. According to Ludwig, it's used to describe a situation or task that is progressively getting harder. Examples show its application across various contexts, highlighting its versatility.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

27%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "becoming increasingly more difficult" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a situation that is growing progressively harder or more challenging. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is versatile and suitable for various contexts, primarily found in News & Media and Scientific sources. While some might consider it slightly redundant, it effectively emphasizes the escalating nature of the difficulty. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity about the factors contributing to the increasing challenge and avoid overusing it in simplistic situations. By understanding its function and purpose, writers can effectively use "becoming increasingly more difficult" to convey a nuanced sense of escalating complexity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

growing progressively harder

Replaces "increasingly more difficult" with synonyms, emphasizing gradual intensification.

getting steadily tougher

Substitutes "becoming" and "difficult" for alternatives that convey a sense of increasing challenge.

proving ever more challenging

Emphasizes the aspect of something "proving" to be difficult over time.

turning gradually problematic

Highlights the emergence of problems alongside increasing difficulty.

presenting mounting obstacles

Focuses on the obstacles that are accumulating, leading to increased difficulty.

evolving into a greater challenge

Highlights the evolution of a situation into a more significant challenge.

becoming considerably more complex

Shifts the focus from difficulty to the increasing complexity of a situation.

gaining in arduousness

A more formal substitution, emphasizing the increasing laboriousness of something.

progressively intensifying in severity

Emphasizes the increasing severity or intensity of the difficulty.

becoming a greater struggle

Focuses on the effort required, highlighting the increasing struggle involved.

FAQs

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

You can use "becoming increasingly more difficult" to describe a situation that is growing harder or more challenging over time. For example, "Finding qualified candidates is "becoming increasingly more difficult" for tech companies".

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

Alternatives include phrases like "growing progressively harder", "getting steadily tougher", or "proving ever more challenging depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "becoming increasingly more difficult"?

While some may view it as slightly redundant, the phrase "becoming increasingly more difficult" is commonly used and understood. It emphasizes the gradual increase in difficulty.

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

The phrase "becoming increasingly more difficult" emphasizes the intensifying nature of the difficulty, suggesting a gradual but noticeable escalation, compared to just "becoming more difficult" which simply indicates a change in difficulty.