difficult to endure

USAGE SUMMARY

"difficult to endure" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is very challenging or exasperating to experience. For example, "The heat was so intense it was difficult to endure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Yet for parents few common afflictions of infancy may be as difficult to endure.

The New Yorker

With less sympathetic actors, Whiplash would have been difficult to endure.

Independent

And the limos and V.I.P. seating and private beach parties cannot be too difficult to endure.

The New York Times - Health

None of these measures have been difficult to endure, says Tracey.

The Guardian

"I realised, well, it would be a little tedious, but it wouldn't be difficult to endure".

The Guardian

Just as an evening of aimless movement is difficult to endure, too much order can kill a dance.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

These results, the team suggests, might help explain why torture is so difficult to endure--knowing that harm is intentional makes it even more painful.

Science Magazine

That prophetic observation is in the O.E.D. under the sense of hard, meaning "difficult to bear or endure," but the time is singular; we're looking for hard times, stretching the length of economic discomfort.

The New York Times

As I mentioned before, being raped is a difficult experience to endure and the recovery from this traumatic event is just as difficult.

Huffington Post

DAVE ITZKOFF: That was, at times, a difficult show to endure, but over all it's hard to be too upset with all the rewards distributed.

The New York Times

"It was a difficult thing to endure," said Wilshaw, who underwent major heart surgery in 2015.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "difficult to endure" when you want to emphasize the burdensome nature of an experience, highlighting the effort and resilience required to withstand it.

Common error

While "difficult to endure" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation where simpler alternatives like "tough" or "hard" might sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to endure" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something that is challenging or unpleasant to experience. As indicated by Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly used in a variety of contexts to express the severity of a situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult to endure" is a frequently used phrase that describes something challenging or unpleasant to experience. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and versatile, appearing most commonly in news and media, followed by scientific contexts. When writing, use "difficult to endure" to emphasize the demanding nature of a situation and avoid overusing it in casual settings where simpler language might suffice. Consider alternatives like "hard to stomach" or "tough to get through" to vary your phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging to put up with

Emphasizes the difficulty in tolerating or accepting something; a more interpersonal connotation is possible.

tough to get through

Focuses on the process of overcoming a challenge, highlighting the effort required.

taxing to withstand

Highlights the depleting nature of the experience, emphasizing its demand on one's resources.

grueling to withstand

Suggests a physically or mentally exhausting challenge, emphasizing the strain on one's endurance.

hard to stomach

Emphasizes the unpleasantness to the point of causing revulsion; focuses on emotional or moral difficulty rather than physical.

unpleasant to experience

Focuses directly on the negative sensory or emotional aspects of the situation.

exasperating to tolerate

Emphasizes the irritating or frustrating nature of the experience; suggests loss of patience.

trying to persevere through

Highlights ongoing effort and resilience when faced with hardship; puts emphasis on trying.

formidable to bear

Highlights the weight or burden of the experience, suggesting a significant emotional load.

distressing to live through

Focuses on the emotional pain and suffering involved, emphasizing the impact on one's well-being.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to endure" to describe situations or experiences that are hard to bear or withstand. For example, "The pain was so intense it was "difficult to endure"".

What are some alternatives to "difficult to endure"?

Some alternatives to "difficult to endure" include "hard to stomach", "tough to get through", or "challenging to put up with", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "difficult to endure" or "hard to endure"?

Both "difficult to endure" and "hard to endure" are grammatically correct and similar in meaning. "Difficult to endure" might be perceived as slightly more formal, while "hard to endure" is more common in everyday speech.

What makes something "difficult to endure"?

Something is "difficult to endure" when it presents significant challenges, whether physical, emotional, or mental, that require considerable strength and resilience to overcome.