difficult to arouse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'difficult to arouse' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something or someone that is not easily aroused or motivated. For example, "The team was difficult to arouse and had difficulty getting motivated for the competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Sedation was scored according to the following scale (1 = alert; 2 = calm; 3 = drowsy; 4 = sleeping, easily arousable; 5 = sleeping, difficult to arouse) and the need for urethral catheterization (defined as absence of spontaneous voiding 8 h after surgery and urine volume at catheterization of >400 ml) was recorded.

BMC Anesthesiology

It's not difficult to arouse nationalist passions.

The Guardian

Sedated Difficult to arouse but awakens to verbal stimuli or gentle shaking, follows simple commands but drifts off again.

Annals of Intensive Care

This is defined as restlessness, lethargy, being difficult to arouse or displaying altered environmental perception [ 26].

BMC Geriatrics

Although initially alert and oriented, within 4 h she became difficult to arouse and was not following commands.

Emerging Microbes and Infections

The Bromage Sedation Scale is 0 – awake, 1 – occasionally drowsy, easily rouseable, 2 – frequently drowsy, easily rouseable, 3 – somnolent, difficult to arouse and S – normal sleep.

Critical Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The French interest in these markets is far too small to have any radical influence on France's political, economic and emotional objections to the free trade area.There is a danger, too, that such pressure might make agreement still more difficult to reach by arousing ill feeling amongst the Six.

The Economist

Scores on the BARS range from 1 to 7, where 1 = difficult or unable to arouse, 2 = asleep but responds normally to verbal or physical contact, 3 = drowsy, appears sedated, 4 = quiet and awake (normal level of activity), 5 = signs of overt (physical or verbal) activity, calms down with instructions, 6 = extremely or continuously active, not requiring restraint, and 7 = violent, requires restraint.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

When Pearl found it difficult to find accommodation without arousing suspicion as a single woman, she spent her first three months sleeping on unheated, overcrowded trains.

Independent

It is not difficult to appreciate the anger aroused by the idea of Evans pulling on the red and white stripes of Sheffield United and trotting out again in front of cheering fans.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some alarms require 2 steps to shut off, making it more difficult to turn it off without arousing.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In non-medical contexts, consider alternatives like "hard to motivate" or "difficult to excite" to better suit the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to arouse" when you simply mean someone lacks interest or enthusiasm. This phrase implies a reduced level of consciousness or responsiveness, not just a lack of motivation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to arouse" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase used to modify a noun, indicating a state of reduced responsiveness or alertness. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's often used in medical contexts to describe a patient's level of consciousness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to arouse" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase primarily employed to describe a state of reduced responsiveness or alertness. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is prevalent in scientific and medical contexts, though it can also appear in news and media. While "difficult to arouse" effectively conveys a clinical state, it's essential to consider alternative phrases like "hard to stimulate" or "challenging to motivate" in other contexts to avoid misinterpretations and maintain clarity. The phrase is not overly common, but authoritative sources do use it, lending to its credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to stimulate

This alternative shifts the focus from arousal to general stimulation, implying a lack of responsiveness.

not easily provoked

This alternative emphasizes the difficulty in provoking a reaction, especially anger or irritation.

unresponsive to stimuli

This phrase highlights a lack of reaction to external or internal stimuli, often in a medical or psychological context.

resistant to activation

This alternative suggests a barrier or impediment to becoming active or energized.

challenging to motivate

This phrase emphasizes the difficulty in inspiring someone to take action or feel enthusiastic.

lethargic and unresponsive

Highlights both lack of energy and lack of response.

inert and hard to move

Suggests a static state that's difficult to change.

sluggish to awaken

Specifically refers to difficulty in waking up or becoming alert.

slow to react

Emphasizes the delayed response rather than complete unresponsiveness.

difficult to excite

Focuses on the lack of emotional or enthusiastic response.

FAQs

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

You might say, "The patient was "difficult to arouse" even with strong stimuli" to describe a medical condition. Alternatively, "It's "difficult to arouse" nationalist passions these days" in a political context.

What are some synonyms for "difficult to arouse"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "hard to stimulate", "unresponsive to stimuli", or "challenging to motivate".

Is it appropriate to use "difficult to arouse" in casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "difficult to arouse" is often used in more formal or medical contexts. In casual conversation, consider using less clinical alternatives, such as "hard to excite" or "challenging to motivate".

What's the difference between "difficult to arouse" and "impossible to arouse"?

"Difficult to arouse" implies that it takes significant effort or stimuli to elicit a response, while "impossible to arouse" suggests that no amount of stimulation will result in a response.