difficult to cross

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to cross" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that poses a challenge or obstacle to crossing, such as a road, river, or barrier. Example: "The river was swollen from the recent rains, making it difficult to cross without a bridge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Maybe it is difficult to cross this particular cultural barrier.

The Guardian - Books

The lack of full interoperability between mobile systems means that borders are still difficult to cross.

The Economist

Its fighters may find it more difficult to cross the Syrian-Turkish border, though even this is uncertain.

Independent

It is especially useful in the case of African staples that have narrow gene pools or are slow-growing or difficult to cross.

The Guardian

The eurosceptic politician said the UK should step up intrusive checks on cars and lorries to make it more difficult to cross borders.

Independent

"There's been some preconceived notions around hockey in general that there's a small but passionate fan base, and that it was very difficult to cross the chasm from this small, hardcore group to the popular culture," Leonsis said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Firstly, evidence may be available from only one source, making it difficult to cross-check the information's reliability.

Health Research Policy and Systems

Moreover, in comparison with Tim10, Tim9 is more difficult to cross-link to AAC, although it can be detected following modification of Tim9 sequence [ 30].

Bioscience Reports

Furthermore, it is often difficult to cross-reference previous results because each experiment focused on a subset of these questions in a different experimental preparation.

Cerebral Cortex

Commission/taskforce membership is difficult to cross-reference with grant recipients because there are no central repositories of active group rosters for comparison with author lists.

Environmental Health Perspectives

"Besides, that is a difficult border to cross".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to cross" to describe abstract concepts, ensure the metaphor is clear and appropriate. For example, "The cultural divide was difficult to cross" works if the context clearly establishes the cultural differences as a barrier.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to cross" when a simpler word like "inconvenient" or "challenging" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to cross" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun (physical location or abstract concept) by describing the degree of effort or challenge required to traverse it. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

25%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to cross" is a grammatically correct and usable adjective phrase that describes obstacles to physical or metaphorical passage. Ludwig AI confirms this. It is used across various contexts, including news, science, and general discourse, with a neutral register suitable for most writing situations. While not exceptionally common, it effectively conveys a sense of challenge and impedance. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly establishes the nature of the obstacle and that a simpler alternative wouldn't be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to get across

This emphasizes the effort required to move or communicate something effectively.

challenging to traverse

This alternative highlights the complexity and demanding nature of the crossing.

not easy to pass

This phrase suggests that there are obstacles or barriers preventing easy passage.

presents a barrier

This emphasizes the impeding quality of the thing that is difficult to cross.

poses an obstacle

This highlights the challenge that the feature presents.

hard to navigate

This highlights the challenge in finding a route.

tough to get through

This suggests a struggle to overcome an obstacle or barrier.

impedes passage

This focuses on the action of hindering or obstructing movement.

obstructs crossing

This is a more formal way of saying something blocks or hinders crossing.

presents difficulties for crossing

This explicitly states that the challenges are related to the act of crossing.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to cross" to describe anything that presents a significant obstacle to movement or progress, such as "The border was "difficult to cross" due to heightened security" or "The gap between theory and practice can be "difficult to cross"".

What are some alternatives to "difficult to cross"?

Alternatives include "hard to get across", "challenging to traverse", or "not easy to pass", depending on the specific context.

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

Both "difficult to cross" and "hard to cross" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Difficult" is slightly more formal than "hard", but the choice depends on the tone and context of your writing.

Can "difficult to cross" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "difficult to cross" can be used metaphorically to describe non-physical barriers. For example, "The cultural divide was "difficult to cross"", meaning the differences between the cultures created a significant obstacle to understanding or communication.