difficult to bear

USAGE SUMMARY

'difficult to bear' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is hard to tolerate or endure. For example, "Having to work two jobs to make ends meet was difficult to bear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Of all things difficult to bear,.

The New Yorker

"It is difficult to bear," he acknowledged.

The New York Times

They must have found the spectacle very difficult to bear.

The Guardian

At first these interludes were difficult to bear.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She will remember the crowd forever, she said, even though the moment was difficult to bear.

The New York Times - Sports

She's unrelentingly sincere, and maybe that sincerity makes her difficult to bear.

The New York Times - Magazine

Moreover, they have legitimate grievances that can make intolerance more difficult to bear.

The Economist

Herzen now found Bakunin's financial and political irresponsibility difficult to bear.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For cricket fans, a tough Ashes series might be making the festive season difficult to bear.

The Guardian - Sport

But today his loss -- which was so unnecessary -- is difficult to bear.

The New York Times

Even the greatest of patriots find the sacrifice difficult to bear.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the emotional impact on your audience when using "difficult to bear", as it can evoke strong feelings of empathy or sympathy.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "difficult to bear" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for more natural alternatives like "hard to deal with" or "tough to handle" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "difficult to bear" is as a predicative adjective phrase. It describes a state or condition that is challenging to endure. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult to bear" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to articulate the challenging nature of enduring something unpleasant. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and appropriate for use in written English. While versatile, it's most prevalent in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral to professional register. When aiming for a more informal tone, consider alternatives like "hard to deal with" or "tough to handle". Remember to consider your audience and context when choosing this phrase to ensure the most effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to endure

Emphasizes the challenge of enduring something unpleasant.

tough to tolerate

Focuses on the struggle to accept or permit something.

challenging to withstand

Highlights the difficulty in resisting or opposing something.

unpleasant to experience

Stresses the negative nature of the experience.

hard to stomach

Implies something is offensive or morally objectionable.

trying to put up with

Suggests an ongoing effort to manage something frustrating.

onerous to cope with

Emphasizes the burdensome nature of dealing with something.

a struggle to accept

Focuses on the internal conflict of accepting something.

taxing to deal with

Highlights the draining effect of handling something.

not easy to handle

A general expression to describe an issue that is challenging to overcome.

FAQs

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

The phrase "difficult to bear" is used to describe something that is hard to tolerate or endure. For example, "The loss of her family was "difficult to bear"."

What can I say instead of "difficult to bear"?

You can use alternatives like "hard to endure", "tough to tolerate", or "challenging to withstand" depending on the context.

Is "difficult to bear" formal or informal?

The phrase "difficult to bear" is generally considered more formal. In informal contexts, phrases like "hard to deal with" or "tough to handle" might be more appropriate.

What makes something "difficult to bear"?

Something becomes "difficult to bear" when it causes significant emotional or mental distress, making it hard to tolerate or endure. This could be due to loss, hardship, or other challenging circumstances.