difficult to attain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to attain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase in a sentence to describe something that is not easily achieved or obtained, either due to the effort or cost required. For example, "A higher education is becoming increasingly difficult to attain due to the rising cost of tuition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Social mobility was everything but was quite difficult to attain.

The Guardian

Transparency and accountability are not that difficult to attain.

The New York Times

The other requirement, margin justification, proved more difficult to attain.

Britannica

But certainly, without focus, career success will be much more difficult to attain.

Harvard Business Review

However, such economies, difficult to attain in many businesses, are particularly elusive in food retailing.

Harvard Business Review

Agreement proved difficult to attain and meanwhile the internal political situation in Portugal deteriorated.

Britannica

But he conceded it would be difficult to attain that goal.

The New York Times

This equilibrium is difficult to attain and even more difficult to change.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It no longer seemed difficult to attain, the result of years of introspection or disciplined practice.

Princeton University

That's a.624 pace, and it's admittedly difficult to attain, even in a less challenging division.

The New York Times - Sports

"This means that social mobility has gotten rarer – the 'American Dream' is increasingly difficult to attain".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts or goals, use "difficult to attain" to convey the level of effort, resources, or complexity involved in achieving them.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to attain" when simpler phrases like "hard to get" or "challenging" would suffice. Overusing formal language in everyday contexts can make your writing sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to attain" functions as an adjective phrase describing a noun, indicating the degree of challenge or effort required to achieve or acquire something. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a common and acceptable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

31%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to attain" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to convey the challenges associated with achieving a goal or acquiring something of value. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. While it's essential for writers to be mindful of the contexts in which they use the phrase, opting for simpler expressions in informal situations, "difficult to attain" remains a powerful tool for communicating the effort and complexity involved in reaching particular objectives. Related alternatives include "hard to achieve" and "challenging to reach".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to achieve

Replaces "attain" with "achieve", focusing on the act of accomplishing a goal.

challenging to reach

Substitutes "difficult" with "challenging" and "attain" with "reach", highlighting the effort needed.

tough to accomplish

Uses "tough" instead of "difficult" and "accomplish" instead of "attain", emphasizing the arduous nature of the task.

not easily achieved

Expresses the difficulty by stating that the goal is "not easily achieved".

requires significant effort

Shifts the focus to the effort required, implying that it's not a simple task.

presents a considerable challenge

Highlights the presence of a substantial obstacle.

hard to come by

Focuses on the scarcity or rarity of something, making it difficult to acquire.

not readily available

Emphasizes the lack of immediate accessibility.

elusive to obtain

Replaces "difficult" with "elusive" and "attain" with "obtain", suggesting something is hard to catch or find.

demands great persistence

Highlights the need for continuous and determined effort.

FAQs

What does "difficult to attain" mean?

The phrase "difficult to attain" means something is not easily achieved or obtained. It suggests that significant effort, resources, or skill are required to reach a particular goal or outcome.

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

You can use "difficult to attain" to describe goals, qualities, or resources that are challenging to acquire. For example, "A work-life balance can be "hard to achieve" in demanding professions."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to attain"?

Some alternatives to "difficult to attain" include "hard to achieve", "challenging to reach", or "tough to accomplish". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "difficult to attain" or "difficult to obtain"?

While both "difficult to attain" and "difficult to obtain" are grammatically correct, "attain" often implies a higher degree of effort or a more abstract goal than "obtain". Choose the word that best reflects the nature of what is being acquired.