difficult to adapt to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to adapt to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing challenges or obstacles related to adjusting to new situations, environments, or changes. Example: "Many employees find the new software difficult to adapt to, which has led to a decrease in productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was difficult to adapt to life without running.

The New York Times

Cucinelli, too, found it difficult to adapt to city life.

The New Yorker

What in the culture was difficult to adapt to?

Harvard Business Review

"It's difficult to adapt to this work and hard to be away from your family".

The Guardian - Tech

I found the lack of structure difficult to adapt to because school is all about structure.

The Guardian

Although imposing, these have been difficult to adapt to the needs of modern administration.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Nevertheless, the design of this transducer may be difficult to adapt to some specific problems.

Ultrasonics

Most techniques available for such kind of analyses are inconvenient and difficult to adapt to micro-method format.

Geoderma

"He is a fantastic player and has potential, but has found it difficult to adapt to the situation.

Independent

However, the technology uses an established modelling process, which makes it very difficult to adapt to changing product requirements.

Advanced Engineering Informatics

Though the model would probably be more difficult to adapt to poorer communities, the organization is poised to show others how to do what it has done.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to adapt to", clearly specify what is causing the difficulty. For example, instead of saying "It's difficult to adapt to", specify "It's difficult to adapt to the new work environment".

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to adapt to" as a vague statement. Always provide context to clarify the source or cause of the difficulty. For example, avoid simply stating "life is difficult to adapt to"; instead, specify which aspects of life pose challenges.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to adapt to" functions as an adjective phrase describing the level of challenge associated with adjusting to a new situation, environment, or condition. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a grammatically correct expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

34%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult to adapt to" is a versatile phrase used to describe challenges in adjusting to new environments, situations, or conditions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts. To ensure clarity, it is best practice to specify the source of difficulty when using this phrase. Alternatives such as "hard to adjust to" or "challenging to acclimate to" can be used to add variety to your writing. By providing context and avoiding overgeneralizations, you can effectively communicate the challenges associated with adaptation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to adjust to

Uses "hard" instead of "difficult", implying a similar level of challenge in adapting.

challenging to acclimate to

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging" and "adapt" with "acclimate", both indicating a struggle in getting used to something.

struggling to adjust to

Emphasizes the effort and difficulty involved in the adaptation process.

finding it hard to cope with

Focuses on the emotional and mental difficulty of dealing with new circumstances.

having trouble adjusting to

Indicates a problem or difficulty in the process of adapting.

not easily adjusting to

Highlights the lack of ease in the adaptation process.

facing difficulties in adapting to

Explicitly mentions the presence of difficulties during adaptation.

having a tough time adapting to

Uses "tough time" to convey the difficulty experienced during adaptation.

ill-suited for

Focuses on the lack of compatibility with the new environment, implying difficulty in adaptation.

unaccustomed to

Highlights the unfamiliarity with the new situation, leading to adaptation challenges.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to adapt to" to describe challenges in adjusting to something new. For example, "New employees often find the company culture "difficult to adapt to"".

What are some alternatives to "difficult to adapt to"?

Alternatives include "hard to adjust to", "challenging to acclimate to", or "struggling to adjust to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "difficult to adapt to" or "difficult adapting to"?

"Difficult to adapt to" is generally preferred because it maintains a more formal and complete grammatical structure. "Difficult adapting to" is less common but can be acceptable in informal contexts.

What makes something "difficult to adapt to"?

Something can be "difficult to adapt to" due to various factors such as unfamiliarity, complexity, significant changes from previous experiences, or personal limitations in flexibility or skills.