difficult to contain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to contain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is hard to control, manage, or limit, often in contexts involving emotions, situations, or physical substances. Example: "The excitement in the room was so intense that it felt almost difficult to contain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sports

General Discussions

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But digital information is difficult to contain.

The New Yorker

They are difficult to contain.

The Guardian - Sport

Hugely difficult to contain at his best.

The Guardian - Sport

He'll be extremely difficult to contain.

The Guardian - Sport

After that, the virus becomes much more difficult to contain.

The New Yorker

The problem is difficult to contain, experts say.

The New York Times

Those events, which appear random, will be difficult to contain.

The New Yorker

They're the best side we've seen, difficult to contain".

The Guardian - Sport

It would be very, very difficult to contain an oil spill," Cahoon said.

The Guardian

Benfica are difficult to contain and a real threat on the counter-attack".

The Guardian - Sport

Burrow's electrifying speed off the mark makes him difficult to contain.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts such as emotions or political movements, use "difficult to contain" to emphasize their pervasive or uncontrollable nature. For example: "The wave of enthusiasm was difficult to contain."

Common error

While versatile, using "difficult to contain" in very informal or casual settings might sound overly formal. Consider simpler alternatives like "hard to handle" or "tough to manage" for everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to contain" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a quality of being hard to control or limit. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is commonly used in various contexts to describe challenges in managing different situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Sports

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

8%

Academia

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to contain" is a versatile and grammatically correct expression used to describe something challenging to control or limit. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently across diverse contexts, from news reports and scientific articles to sports commentaries and general discussions. The analysis reveals that while it's suitable for neutral and formal registers, simpler alternatives might be preferred in very casual settings. Consider using related phrases like "hard to control" or "challenging to restrain" based on the specific context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to control

Replaces "difficult" with "hard", emphasizing the challenge in managing or restraining something.

challenging to restrain

Substitutes "difficult" with "challenging" and "contain" with "restrain", focusing on the effort required to hold something back.

tough to manage

Uses "tough" instead of "difficult" and "manage" for "contain", highlighting the difficulty in handling a situation or entity.

not easily restrained

Emphasizes the lack of ease in preventing something from exceeding limits.

hard to keep under control

Adds the element of "keeping under control", specifying the ongoing effort needed.

difficult to suppress

Focuses on the act of suppressing or holding back, which is a specific type of containing.

challenging to keep in check

Highlights the challenge involved in keeping something under control or monitoring it effectively.

not simple to restrict

Replaces "difficult" with "not simple", conveying the same meaning with a different tone, and "contain" with "restrict".

hard to keep within bounds

Uses the idiom "within bounds" to suggest difficulty in maintaining limitations or constraints.

difficult to subdue

Emphasizes the challenge in bringing something under control by force or authority.

FAQs

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

Use "difficult to contain" to describe something that is hard to control or limit. For example, "The spread of misinformation online is becoming increasingly "difficult to contain"".

What are some alternatives to saying "difficult to contain"?

You can use phrases like "hard to control", "challenging to restrain", or "tough to manage" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "hard to contain" or "difficult to contain"?

Both "hard to contain" and "difficult to contain" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Difficult to contain" might be perceived as slightly more formal, while "hard to contain" is more casual.

Can "difficult to contain" be used to describe both physical and abstract things?

Yes, "difficult to contain" can describe both physical things, like an oil spill, and abstract things, like emotions or information. The key is that it refers to something challenging to control or limit.