difficult plan

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult plan" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a plan that is challenging to execute or understand. Example: "The team is working on a difficult plan to improve the company's financial situation, but they are confident in their strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

And I don't quite know how, it's gonna be a difficult strategy that needs to be pursued, and a difficult plan.

Forbes

If the book you are reading is difficult, plan on taking 2 to 3 times longer than you might read a novel.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

When the world's biggest wind company, Vestas, closed its UK factory in 2009, the chief executive, Ditlev Engel, said the difficult planning laws were a key reason.

The Guardian

Paul Jones, the president of One&Only Resorts, said of the terrain: "There are some pretty steep contours, which makes for a difficult planning process, but the difficulty brings with it a lot of drama.

The New York Times

He said Wales has been at a disadvantage in not having control over energy tariffs but there was now a political will to make difficult planning decisions which could be unpopular.

BBC

In September 2014, Harvard University's Business School published a case study on the release strategy of the album which examines its difficult planning and execution, as well as its short-term and long-term impact.

Wikipedia

More generally, one could argue that set shifting of WCST resembles a difficult planning paradigm including components of mental and online planning.

BMC Psychiatry

Task condition [ F 1,186) = 71.414; P < 0.001] and difficulty [ F 2,372) = 47.9.3; P < 0.001] effects were significant with a significant interaction between condition and difficulty [ F 2,370) = 16.473; P < 0.001] confirming that more difficult planning items were less likely to be completed.

Brain

Furthermore, it is difficult to plan a study design able to take into account all the potential confounders and effect modifiers of a plan's effectiveness.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

This lack of information makes it difficult to plan rational and feasible interventions and/or design suitably powered trials to evaluate protective strategies.

Bone and Joint Research

Health-care costs are increasingly difficult to plan for.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult plan", specify the nature of the difficulty. Is it complex, costly, or politically sensitive? Adding detail enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult plan" as a vague descriptor. Instead of saying "The project faces a difficult plan", explain why the plan is difficult. For example, "The project faces a plan hampered by logistical challenges and funding constraints."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult plan" primarily functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "difficult" modifies the noun "plan". It describes the characteristics of the plan, indicating it is challenging or problematic. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult plan" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase to describe a challenging scheme or course of action. As stated by Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. While not overly common, it appears across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. To enhance clarity, specify the nature of the difficulty when using this phrase. Consider alternatives like "challenging plan" or "complex plan" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging plan

Emphasizes the demanding nature of the plan, suggesting it requires effort and skill.

complex plan

Highlights the intricate structure and many elements of the plan.

complicated plan

Suggests the plan is tangled and hard to understand or follow.

problematic plan

Indicates the plan has potential issues or drawbacks that need to be addressed.

troublesome plan

Implies the plan is likely to cause difficulties or annoyance.

arduous plan

Stresses the effort and difficulty involved in carrying out the plan.

demanding plan

Highlights the high expectations and requirements of the plan.

intricate plan

Focuses on the detailed and elaborate nature of the plan.

unwieldy plan

Suggests the plan is cumbersome and difficult to manage.

ambitious plan

While not necessarily difficult, it implies a large scale and therefore potential challenges.

FAQs

How can I use "difficult plan" in a sentence?

You can use "difficult plan" to describe a scheme or course of action that presents significant challenges. For instance, "Implementing the new regulations will require a "difficult plan" due to the many stakeholders involved".

What are some alternatives to "difficult plan"?

Consider using alternatives such as "challenging plan", "complex plan", or "complicated plan" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes a plan "difficult"?

A plan can be considered "difficult" due to various factors, including resource constraints, intricate logistics, conflicting objectives, or political opposition.

Is "difficult plan" the same as "impossible plan"?

No, a ""difficult plan"" implies challenges that can potentially be overcome, whereas an "impossible plan" suggests that success is unattainable regardless of effort.