continues to be difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "continues to be difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing situation or challenge that remains hard to deal with or understand. Example: "Despite our efforts to improve the process, it continues to be difficult to meet the deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

He went on: "The market continues to be difficult, there is no question.

The Guardian

"It continues to be dangerous, it continues to be difficult," he said.

The New York Times - Magazine

Yet OMB review continues to be difficult to follow, raising concerns about improper influence and corruption.

The Washington Post

While nearly everyone here said the change had revitalized the college, the shift continues to be difficult.

The New York Times

Despite the high rents, demand remains strong in part because it continues to be difficult to obtain a mortgage.

The New York Times

A perfect cappuccino remains the supreme coffee experience but getting one's hands on one continues to be difficult.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Relations with Russia continued to be difficult.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Their financial circumstances continue to be difficult.

Independent

Packages continue to be difficult to use correctly.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This will continue to be difficult for Beta given Wall Street's demand for quarterly results.

Selecting the Right Manufacturing Improvement Tools What Tool? When?

"This is where the budgetary tradeoffs will continue to be difficult.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "continues to be difficult", ensure the context clearly establishes what the subject is and why it is difficult. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "continues to be difficult" as a standalone statement. Always provide specific details about the subject and the reasons for the difficulty to ensure the sentence is informative and clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "continues to be difficult" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically serving as a predicate adjective within a sentence. As Ludwig AI points out, it indicates an ongoing state of challenge or complexity. It often modifies a subject, explaining the subject's enduring hardship.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

38%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "continues to be difficult" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe ongoing challenges. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Science. While versatile, it's important to provide clear context to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "remains challenging" or "is still proving tough" can add nuance. Overusing the phrase without sufficient context is a common pitfall. Ensure clarity by specifying what is difficult and why.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remains challenging

Replaces "continues to be" with "remains", offering a more concise alternative.

remains problematic

Replaces 'difficult' with a synonym 'problematic' and "continues to be" with "remains".

persists in being hard

Uses "persists in being" to emphasize the ongoing nature of the difficulty.

is an ongoing challenge

Presents the difficulty as an ongoing challenge, focusing on the long-term nature.

is still proving tough

Employs "is still proving" to highlight the enduring challenge.

has remained arduous

Substitutes "difficult" with "arduous" for a more formal tone and "continues to be" with "has remained".

has not gotten easier

Indicates that the difficulty has remained constant over time.

has been consistently tough

Highlights the consistency of the difficulty over a period of time.

endures as a struggle

Frames the difficulty as an ongoing struggle or effort.

shows no signs of easing

Indicates that the difficult situation is not likely to improve soon.

FAQs

How can I use "continues to be difficult" in a sentence?

Use "continues to be difficult" to describe an ongoing challenge or situation that has not improved over time. For example, "Despite the new strategies, marketing the product "continues to be difficult"."

What are some alternatives to "continues to be difficult"?

You can use alternatives like "remains challenging", "persists in being hard", or "is still proving tough" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "continues to remain difficult"?

Yes, saying "continues to remain difficult" can be redundant because "continue" and "remain" have similar meanings in this context. It's better to use either ""continues to be difficult"" or "remains difficult".

What is the difference between "continues to be difficult" and "used to be difficult"?

"Continues to be difficult" implies that something is currently challenging and has been so for some time. "Used to be difficult" indicates that something was challenging in the past but is no longer so.