difficult to do

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to do" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is challenging or complicated. For example, "Programming is difficult to do without any prior experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's difficult to do.

The New Yorker

"That's exceptionally difficult to do.

The New York Times - Sports

"That's pretty difficult to do".

The New York Times - Sports

It's very difficult to do".

The New York Times

Difficult to do.

The New York Times

"The mushrooms are very difficult to do".

The New Yorker

And it's not difficult to do.

The New Yorker

"But it's difficult to do perfectly".

The New York Times - Tech

Nonetheless, it's difficult to do nothing.

The New Yorker

Difficult to do, you might say.

The Economist

It's very difficult to do this".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "difficult to do" when you want to express that a task requires significant effort, skill, or resources. Be specific about why it's difficult to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to do" as a vague statement. Instead, elaborate on what makes it difficult. For example, instead of saying "The project is difficult to do", specify "The project is difficult to do because it requires advanced technical skills and coordination across multiple departments."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to do" functions as an adjective phrase that describes a task, action, or concept as challenging or complex. It typically follows a verb like "is", "was", or "seems", as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples. It also used to qualify why it is difficult.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

20%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult to do" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe tasks or concepts that present a significant challenge. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. The phrase sees frequent use across diverse fields, including News & Media, Academia and Science. When using "difficult to do", ensure that you provide sufficient context to clarify what makes the task challenging. Consider alternatives such as "challenging to execute" or "not easy to manage" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to accomplish

Focuses on the act of completing or achieving something.

challenging to execute

Emphasizes the difficulty in carrying out a plan or task effectively.

not easy to manage

Highlights the complexity in controlling or handling a situation.

requires considerable effort

Stresses the amount of work needed.

demands significant skill

Focuses on the level of expertise required.

presents a major obstacle

Highlights the obstructive nature of the challenge.

poses a tough problem

Emphasizes the problematic nature of the challenge.

not a walk in the park

An idiomatic expression indicating that something is not simple or easy.

no picnic

A more concise idiomatic expression meaning something is unpleasant or difficult.

tough nut to crack

An idiomatic expression suggesting a difficult problem to solve.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to do" to describe tasks, actions, or concepts that are challenging or require significant effort. For example, "Balancing work and personal life is "difficult to do"".

What are some alternatives to "difficult to do"?

Alternatives include "hard to accomplish", "challenging to execute", or "not easy to manage", depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "difficult to do" or "hard to do"?

"Difficult to do" and "hard to do" are often interchangeable. However, "difficult to do" might be perceived as slightly more formal than "hard to do", though both are acceptable in most contexts.

When should I use "difficult to do" versus "impossible to do"?

Use "difficult to do" when something is challenging but achievable with effort. Use "impossible to do" when something is completely unachievable under current circumstances. The difference lies in whether the task is potentially feasible or entirely out of reach.