becoming more difficult to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "becoming more difficult to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation or task that is increasingly challenging or hard to manage. Example: "As the project progresses, it is becoming more difficult to meet the deadlines set by the client."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But aid is now becoming more difficult to count on.

The New Yorker

It's becoming more difficult to get a following".

The New York Times

The consequences are becoming more difficult to ignore.

The Guardian

Software kernel implementation on a single processor is becoming more difficult to satisfy those constraints.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

With station wagons becoming more difficult to find in decent condition, he had better hurry up.

The New York Times

But it was becoming more difficult to go on with life as usual.

The New Yorker

There are now so many of them that it is becoming more difficult to stand out.

The New York Times - Arts

"It's becoming more difficult to get any work produced," Mr. Daisey said.

The New York Times

But it was becoming more difficult to stay silent, he said.

The New York Times

Mr. Holmes of Suffield Academy agrees that old attitudes are becoming more difficult to maintain.

The New York Times

Consumers and homecare agencies report that it is becoming more difficult to recruit and retain homecare workers.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "becoming more difficult to" with stronger verbs like 'deteriorating' or 'hindering' to convey urgency or intensity, if appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "becoming more difficult to" without specifying what is becoming more difficult. For example, instead of saying 'It's becoming more difficult to', specify 'It's becoming more difficult to secure funding' to provide context and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "becoming more difficult to" functions as a descriptor, indicating a trend of increasing challenge or complexity. Ludwig examples show its use across diverse subjects, from accessing resources to maintaining relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "becoming more difficult to" is a versatile expression used to describe a trend of increasing challenges or complexity. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business writing.

Ludwig’s analysis reveals that it serves to highlight growing challenges associated with specific actions or situations, often foreshadowing potential problems. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what exactly is facing increased difficulty and consider stronger verbs to convey urgency. By understanding its function, purpose, and typical usage, you can effectively use "becoming more difficult to" in your own writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increasingly challenging to

Focuses on the increasing level of challenge.

growing harder to

Emphasizes the gradual increase in difficulty.

progressively harder to

Similar to 'growing harder to', but with more emphasis on progressive change.

getting tougher to

Uses a more informal term for 'difficult'.

proving more troublesome to

Highlights the problematic nature of the increasing difficulty.

posing greater challenges to

Shifts the focus to the challenges presented.

less straightforward to

Indicates a decrease in simplicity or directness.

more complicated to

Highlights increasing complexity.

becoming unwieldy to

Suggests that something is becoming difficult to manage or control.

becoming onerous to

Highlights the increasing burden or oppressiveness.

FAQs

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

You can use "becoming more difficult to" to describe a process, task, or situation that is increasingly challenging. For example, "As resources dwindle, it's "becoming more difficult to" maintain the current level of service".

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

Alternatives include "increasingly challenging to", "growing harder to", or "getting tougher to", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is there a subtle difference between "become more difficult to" and "becoming more difficult to"?

"Become more difficult to" suggests a completed transition to a state of difficulty, while "becoming more difficult to" emphasizes the ongoing process of increasing difficulty. The latter is suitable for situations where the difficulty is still evolving.

When should I use "becoming more difficult to" versus "become more difficult to"?

Use "becoming more difficult to" when describing an ongoing change or trend. Use "become more difficult to" when the change has largely already occurred. Consider the context: 'Finding affordable housing is "becoming more difficult to"' (ongoing trend) versus 'After the policy change, managing the budget will "become more difficult to"' (future consequence).