difficult to adjust to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'difficult to adjust to' is perfectly correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe situations that require a lot of adjustment or adaptation, and the process of doing so is difficult. For example, "Moving to a new city is often difficult to adjust to, but the effort is often worth it in the end."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

She said it would be difficult to adjust to less.

The New York Times

It's difficult to adjust to a normal life after war.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was very difficult to adjust to life here initially.

The New Yorker

It is very difficult to adjust to a new life.

The Guardian

That kind of fame is very difficult to adjust to.

The New York Times

Mark, she says, is finding it particularly difficult to adjust to the changes.

The Guardian - Money

He nevertheless seemed to find some aspects of the digital-download revolution difficult to adjust to.

The New Yorker

But he also admitted that the system was difficult to adjust to.

The New York Times - Sports

Has anyone found it difficult to adjust to reading detached Arabic?

The New Yorker

It's hardly surprising if some find that shift difficult to adjust to.

The Guardian - Opinion

Often it is difficult to adjust to such a complex challenge.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "difficult to adjust to", ensure that the subject requiring adjustment is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify what is "difficult to adjust to", such as "the new work environment" or "the change in routine".

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions after "adjust". The correct form is "adjust to". Using prepositions like "adjust with" or "adjust at" is grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to adjust to" functions as an adjective phrase describing the degree of effort required to adapt or acclimate to a new situation, environment, or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult to adjust to" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the challenges of adapting to new circumstances. Ludwig AI affirms its validity, and its prevalence across diverse sources like news outlets, academic papers, and general-interest articles underscores its versatility. While it maintains a neutral register, it's crucial to ensure clarity by explicitly stating what is "difficult to adjust to". When seeking alternatives, consider options like "hard to get used to" or "challenging to adapt to", depending on the desired tone and nuance. Avoiding prepositional errors, particularly using "with" instead of "to", is also essential for maintaining grammatical accuracy. In summary, "difficult to adjust to" serves as a valuable tool for expressing the complexities of adaptation in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to get used to

Replaces "difficult" with "hard" and uses "get used to" instead of "adjust to" for a more informal tone.

challenging to adapt to

Substitutes "difficult" with "challenging" and "adjust" with "adapt", maintaining a similar level of formality.

tough to become accustomed to

Uses "tough" in place of "difficult" and "become accustomed to" to convey a similar meaning with slightly different vocabulary.

not easy to adapt to

Expresses difficulty by negating "easy", offering a more understated way to convey the same concept.

requires significant adaptation

Shifts the focus to the requirement of adaptation, implying difficulty through the need for a significant change.

presents adjustment issues

Highlights the existence of issues related to adjustment, indirectly suggesting difficulty.

poses adaptation challenges

Similar to "presents adjustment issues" but uses "adaptation challenges" for a slightly different nuance.

is a struggle to assimilate into

Emphasizes the effort required for assimilation, implying a challenging adjustment process.

demands considerable acclimatization

Focuses on the demand for acclimatization, highlighting the intensity of the required adjustment.

necessitates a major shift

Indicates that a significant change is needed, suggesting the difficulty of the adjustment process.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to adjust to" to describe a situation or environment that requires significant adaptation. For example, "Moving to a new country can be "difficult to adjust to" because of cultural differences."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "difficult to adjust to"?

Some alternatives include "hard to get used to", "challenging to adapt to", or "tough to become accustomed to". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is it correct to say "difficult to adjust with" instead of "difficult to adjust to"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "adjust" in this context is "to". "Difficult to adjust with" is grammatically incorrect. Always use ""difficult to adjust to"".

What makes something "difficult to adjust to"?

Things that are ""difficult to adjust to"" often involve significant changes in routine, environment, or expectations. This can include moving to a new place, starting a new job, or dealing with a major life event.