challenging to scale

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "challenging to scale" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing difficulties in expanding or increasing the size or capacity of a project, system, or process. Example: "The current infrastructure is challenging to scale, which limits our ability to accommodate more users."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

However, particle based pharmaceuticals are complex and thus challenging to scale up.

Biomaterials

Of these, propulsion has been challenging to scale down, given the stringent physical constraints associated with space thrusters.

MEMS for Automotive and Aerospace Applications

Buzatu said it was challenging to scale up her system, but she successfully created a model with eight panels that move and fold in response to electrical signals.

Princeton University

Topics include distributed and parallel algorithms for: Optimization, Numerical Linear Algebra, Machine Learning, Graph analysis, Streaming algorithms, and other problems that are challenging to scale on a commodity cluster.

Stanford University

It's challenging to scale where someone might use it once a decade.

TechCrunch

Still, while Boon + Gable is finding its footing in its hometown, that may be challenging to scale to places where time is not necessarily more valuable than money.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

For Kirsty, this means being challenged to scale a 100m cliff face and then bed down on a metre-wide canvas platform suspended above the Atlantic.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It's also given an opening to a lot of small businesses that would have been challenged to scale nationally, he says, noting that 30% of all the Snapdeal sellers are sole-trader female entrepreneurs who work from home.

TechCrunch

Furthermore, pumped-storage hydroelectricity and compressed air energy storage are challenging to scale-down, while batteries are challenging to scale-up.

Applied Energy

''Microhydro is a challenge to scale up,'' said Jamal Saghir, the World Bank's director for energy, transport and water.

The New York Times

It is a challenge to scale the streaming capacity up and down in near-realtime.

Journal of Cloud Computing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "challenging to scale", ensure you clearly identify what is facing the scaling challenge. Providing context enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "challenging to scale" without specifying the specific factors contributing to the difficulty. Vague statements weaken your argument. For instance, instead of saying "The business model is challenging to scale", specify which aspects pose the challenge, such as "The business model is "challenging to scale" due to high customer acquisition costs".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "challenging to scale" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an implied noun (e.g., 'the process'). It describes something that presents difficulties when trying to increase its size, capacity, or reach. Ludwig provides examples showing its common use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "challenging to scale" is a versatile phrase used to describe the difficulties encountered when trying to expand something. As shown by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse fields, including science, news, and academia. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's crucial to provide context when using the phrase to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "difficult to expand" or "hard to grow" can be used depending on the context. Remember to specify the factors contributing to the scaling difficulty for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to expand

Focuses on the difficulty of expanding something.

hard to grow

Emphasizes the struggle with increasing in size.

tough to scale up

Highlights the difficulty in scaling upwards specifically.

faces scaling challenges

Shifts the focus to the challenges encountered when trying to scale.

scaling is problematic

Directly states that scaling is a problem.

expansion is difficult

Highlights the difficulty in the expansion process.

scaling is complex

Emphasizes the complexity of the scaling process.

growth is unsustainable

Suggests that growth cannot be maintained at the current rate.

scaling is unsustainable

Suggests that scaling cannot be maintained at the current rate.

presents scaling obstacles

Indicates the presence of obstacles in the path of scaling.

FAQs

What does "challenging to scale" mean?

The phrase "challenging to scale" refers to the difficulties encountered when attempting to expand a system, process, or business to accommodate increased demand or size. It implies that significant obstacles or complexities are involved in achieving sustainable growth.

When should I use the phrase "challenging to scale"?

Use "challenging to scale" when describing a situation where increasing the capacity or reach of something is proving difficult or problematic. This is common in discussions about business growth, technological development, and resource management.

What are some alternatives to "challenging to scale"?

You can use alternatives such as "difficult to expand", "hard to grow", or "tough to scale up", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "challenging to scale" grammatically correct?

Yes, "challenging to scale" is grammatically correct and widely accepted in formal and informal contexts. It follows standard English grammar rules and is commonly used in professional writing and conversation.