difficult to change

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to change" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something which is challenging to alter, adjust, or alter in any way. For example, "The traffic laws in this country are difficult to change, so they have remained the same for many years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's difficult to change that".

Independent

But reputations are difficult to change.

The New York Times

It is difficult to change ethics law.

The New York Times

And that is very difficult to change.

The Economist

Laws are difficult to change.

Columbia University

'So it's difficult to change.

The Guardian

"It would be difficult to change now.

The Guardian

"I think it's difficult to change personality.

The Guardian

"It's difficult to change institutions," Lurigio said.

The Guardian

Moreover, perceptions are difficult to change.

The New York Times

Therefore it is difficult to change.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to change", consider the specific aspect that makes it challenging. Be precise: is it due to complexity, resistance, or inherent properties?

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to change" when "impossible to change" is more accurate. Overstating the difficulty can undermine your argument if the context suggests genuine impossibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to change" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes a quality of something, indicating that it is not easily altered or modified. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showcasing its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

25%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to change" is a versatile and common expression used to describe the challenges associated with alteration or modification. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various domains, including news, academia, and science. While alternatives like "hard to modify" and "challenging to alter" exist, "difficult to change" provides a clear and direct way to convey the sense of resistance or complexity involved. When using this phrase, consider the specific reasons behind the difficulty to add precision to your writing. Avoid overstating the level of difficulty to maintain credibility. Finally, Ludwig's examples highlight the phrase's widespread use and contextual adaptability, solidifying its status as a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to modify

Focuses on the challenge in altering something, similar to the original phrase but uses "hard" instead of "difficult".

challenging to alter

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging" and "change" with "alter", conveying a similar level of complexity.

not easy to transform

Emphasizes the lack of ease in transformation, highlighting the effort required.

resistant to modification

Highlights the inherent resistance to being changed, implying an active opposition to alteration.

unlikely to be reformed

Suggests a low probability of successful reformation, emphasizing the entrenched nature of the subject.

tough to reshape

Uses "tough" to describe the effort needed and "reshape" for change, implying a need for significant alteration.

a struggle to convert

Indicates that converting the object of change will be a significant effort.

intractable to amend

Highlights the unmanageable nature of amending something, suggesting a high level of resistance.

not susceptible to change

Emphasizes the lack of openness or vulnerability to change, suggesting a fixed state.

implausible to adjust

Suggests an improbability that it will adjust, emphasizing the unlikeliness of the modification.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to change" to describe something that requires significant effort or faces resistance when altered. For example, "Company culture is "difficult to change" without strong leadership support".

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

Alternatives include "hard to modify", "challenging to alter", or "resistant to modification", each carrying a slightly different nuance.

Is it correct to say "difficult to changing" instead of "difficult to change"?

No, the correct form is "difficult to change". The infinitive form of the verb (to + base form) should be used after "difficult to".

What makes something "difficult to change"?

Factors can include deeply ingrained habits, complex systems, strong resistance, or inherent properties that make alteration challenging.