difficult to control

USAGE SUMMARY

"difficult to control" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is challenging to manage or influence. For example, "Getting the kids to do their homework is difficult to control."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's difficult to control.

The Guardian

And artists are notoriously difficult to control.

The New York Times - Arts

Very difficult to control injuries".

The New York Times - Sports

It was very difficult to control them".

The New York Times

The mosquito is difficult to control.

The New York Times - Tech

It's hard work and difficult to control...

The New York Times - Books

The process can be difficult to control.

The Guardian

Many find it difficult to control their behavior.

Harvard University

6) Sound and light are difficult to control.

University of California, Berkeley

As a result, this species is often difficult to control.

Cornell University

Why have the attacks been so difficult to control?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to control", consider the specific aspect of control that is challenging. For instance, is it the behavior, the spread, or the quality? Being specific enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to control" as a vague descriptor. Instead of saying, "The situation is difficult to control", specify which elements are proving challenging to manage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to control" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something that presents challenges in management, regulation, or influence. It expresses a state of being where achieving a desired level of control is problematic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult to control" is a versatile descriptor used to convey challenges in managing, regulating, or influencing something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Occurring frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts, it maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse communication settings. When employing this phrase, consider specifying which aspect of control is challenging to enhance clarity. Remember, being precise avoids vagueness and strengthens your message. Explore the related phrases to find nuances that better fit your specific communication needs. Ludwig’s examples provide valuable insights into how this phrase is used across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to manage

Emphasizes the effort required for managing something, focusing on the act of management.

challenging to regulate

Highlights the difficulties in setting and enforcing rules or standards.

tough to handle

Focuses on the practical aspects of dealing with something problematic.

unwieldy to manipulate

Implies that something is difficult to move or influence effectively.

problematic to oversee

Stresses the issues in supervising or monitoring something properly.

not easily governed

Highlights the inherent resistance to being governed or controlled.

resistant to influence

Focuses on the object's inherent property of being hard to change

out of hand

Implies a situation has escalated beyond control

beyond control

Suggests that something is no longer manageable at all.

difficult to contain

Emphasizes the challenge of keeping something within set limits.

FAQs

What does "difficult to control" mean?

The phrase "difficult to control" describes something that is challenging to manage, regulate, or influence. It indicates a lack of ease in maintaining a desired state or outcome.

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

You can use "difficult to control" to describe various situations. For example: "The spread of misinformation is "difficult to control"", or "His emotions were "difficult to control" after the loss".

What are some alternatives to "difficult to control"?

Alternatives include "hard to manage", "challenging to regulate", or "tough to handle" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "difficult to control" or "impossible to control"?

The choice depends on the situation. "Difficult to control" implies a challenge in managing something, while "impossible to control" suggests that it is completely unmanageable. Use the phrase that accurately reflects the degree of control possible.