challenging to source

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "challenging to source" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing difficulties in obtaining or finding specific items, information, or resources. Example: "The materials needed for the project are challenging to source, which may delay our timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In addition, teachers also find it challenging to source suitable videos, in spite of copious online offerings (Ash, 2012).

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Most CPDP approaches require both source and target projects to be represented by the same set of metrics as for homogeneous transfer learning though this becomes a limitation as it may be challenging to find source projects which are characterized by the exact same set of metrics as one's new target project.

Journal of Big Data

It is challenging to quantify sources of CMC.

Advances in Space Research

This homogeneity made it challenging to determine potential source populations from the East Coast for the introduced West Coast populations even when explored across larger potential source areas (Canada, US North of Cape Cod, and South of Cape Cod).

Plosone

It is challenging to differentiate both sources contributing to the accuracy of genomic selection as their effects are intermingled [ 14].

BMC Genomics

This was also an issue where immunization information was recorded more than once (i.e., in charts as well as a registry); when neither are consistently updated, it is challenging to identify the best source of accurate patient information [ 31, 33].

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

3 However, the long-term use of levodopa is limited by treatment-emergent motor fluctuations and dyskinesias that can be both challenging to manage and a significant source of disability for patients.

Clinical interventions in aging

Our approach provides efficient rendering of complex soundscapes which would be challenging to model using discrete point sources and traditional virtual acoustics techniques.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Furthermore, variations that are associated with cancer are currently available from diverse databases that use different workflows, and it is challenging to compare results from different sources.

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

Cells were challenged to forage sources that appeared at distances of 200, 5000, or 1000 μm away (columns from left to right).

eLife

(A ) Cells with various phenotypes were challenged to forage a source presented at varying distances, r 0 from 75 μm to 3 mm.

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "challenging to source", specify what makes it difficult. Is it scarcity, cost, regulations, or something else? This provides more context and clarity for your audience.

Common error

Avoid vague sentences by specifying who finds it "challenging to source". Instead of "It is challenging to source", write "Researchers find it challenging to source high-quality data".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "challenging to source" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive, describing the difficulty associated with obtaining or finding something. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates that the process of sourcing is not straightforward.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "challenging to source" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that conveys the difficulty in finding or obtaining specific items or resources. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness across various contexts. While not extremely common, it is prevalent in science, news, and business domains. To enhance clarity, specifying the reasons for the challenge is recommended, and avoiding passive voice can make your writing more impactful. Alternatives such as "difficult to find" or "hard to obtain" can be used for similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to find

Emphasizes the difficulty in locating something.

hard to obtain

Focuses on the effort required to get something.

tough to procure

Highlights the complexity in acquiring something.

problematic to acquire

Indicates potential issues in the acquisition process.

not easy to come by

Implies scarcity or limited availability.

demanding to secure

Stresses the high level of effort needed to secure something.

a struggle to locate

Highlights the effort and persistence required for location.

presents sourcing difficulties

Shifts the focus to the difficulties encountered during the sourcing process.

poses procurement challenges

Emphasizes the challenges involved in the procurement process.

creates sourcing obstacles

Highlights the obstacles faced during sourcing.

FAQs

What does "challenging to source" mean?

The phrase "challenging to source" means that something is difficult to find, obtain, or acquire, often due to scarcity, logistical issues, or other complexities.

What can I say instead of "challenging to source"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult to find", "hard to obtain", or "tough to procure" depending on the specific context.

In what contexts is "challenging to source" commonly used?

"Challenging to source" is often used in contexts related to supply chains, resource management, academic research, and news reporting when discussing difficulties in obtaining specific items or information.

Is "challenging to source" formal or informal?

The phrase "challenging to source" is suitable for both formal and professional contexts, but may be replaced with simpler alternatives like "difficult to find" in more informal settings.