difficult to abolish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to abolish" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that is hard to eliminate or remove, often in a social, political, or institutional context. Example: "The tradition has become so ingrained in our culture that it is difficult to abolish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

So any political leader will find it difficult to abolish such statues," Mr. Jaswal said.

The New York Times

"It was politically easy to create new agencies and difficult to abolish old ones, even when their functions had all but evaporated," the report says.

The New York Times

"But the bears are private property and it is difficult to abolish the practice overnight".

BBC

And any Republican president would find it difficult to abolish a system that has mostly been implemented by states.

Huffington Post

Once maternal fee exemption was there, it was difficult to abolish because of wide popular support and later outcry over maternal mortality and international agenda such as the MDGs.

Health Research Policy and Systems

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The basic design problems are not difficult to solve: abolish most or all of the 88 reliefs from the tax, lower the threshold – perhaps even to the level of the average house price – and halve the punitive 40% rate.

The Guardian - Opinion

In a party that has all too often seemed rudderless, he has repeatedly interceded on difficult decisions, like whether to abolish highway tolls or the gasoline tax.

The New York Times

The revenue from such taxes is extremely hard to estimate because, like Labour's pledge to abolish non-domicile tax status, it is difficult to predict how taxpayers may change their behaviour as a result.

The Guardian

Yet winning agreement to abolish the death penalty proved more difficult than stamping out slavery.

The Economist

"The logistics are complex and difficult to keep secure," he said in urging Israel to abolish the program.

The New York Times

The use of estimation of immediate nucleation permits us to abolish the unknown ζ, thus eluding a difficult technique of balancing the entering physical flux of indium particles by their nucleation-mediated droplet [137].

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Make sure that the noun you're trying to abolish is properly described with the correct adjective to convey the most precise meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to abolish" when "impossible to abolish" is more accurate. Exaggerating the difficulty can weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to abolish" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase modifying an implied or stated noun. It expresses the degree of challenge or resistance associated with eliminating something. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to abolish" is a grammatically sound and usable expression signifying that something presents considerable challenges when attempting to eliminate it. Ludwig AI confirms this, and the phrase appears in contexts like news and media and scientific articles. While not frequently encountered, its use is appropriate in professional, formal, and neutral registers. Consider factors contributing to this difficulty, and avoid overstating its impossibility, which will lend strength and precision to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to eliminate

Emphasizes the level of effort required for removal.

challenging to eradicate

Highlights the complexity of completely getting rid of something.

tough to eradicate

Uses a more informal term ('tough') to describe the difficulty.

not easy to eliminate

States the difficulty directly using a negative construction.

complex to abolish

Focuses on the intricate nature of the abolishment process.

problematic to eliminate

Suggests that eliminating the thing in question poses specific issues.

it is not simple to abolish

Lengthens the phrase while retaining its core meaning.

removal is difficult

Shifts the focus to the act of removal itself.

abolition is difficult

Turns the verb into a noun, emphasizing the difficulty of the overall process.

resistant to abolishment

Highlights the resistance encountered when attempting to abolish something.

FAQs

How can I use "difficult to abolish" in a sentence?

You can use "difficult to abolish" to describe a law, tradition, or system that is challenging to eliminate due to various factors like public support or deeply ingrained practices. For instance, "The deeply entrenched tradition is "difficult to abolish" despite its outdated nature".

What are some alternatives to "difficult to abolish"?

Alternatives include "hard to eliminate", "challenging to eradicate", or "tough to eradicate". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

What makes something "difficult to abolish"?

Something can be "difficult to abolish" due to strong public support, legal protections, historical significance, or deeply ingrained cultural practices. The phrase emphasizes the presence of significant obstacles to its removal.

Is there a difference between "difficult to abolish" and "impossible to abolish"?

Yes, "difficult to abolish" suggests that while challenging, abolishment is still possible. "Impossible to abolish" implies that there are insurmountable barriers, making removal completely unachievable. Consider the degree of difficulty when choosing the phrase.