difficult to exceed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to exceed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is challenging to surpass or go beyond in quality, performance, or achievement. Example: "The athlete's record was so impressive that it was deemed difficult to exceed by future competitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Chris Paul, David Lee and Deron Williams were all taken after him and it has permanently yet somewhat unjustly affixed expectancies to his game that were fairly difficult to exceed.

The Washington Post

It could be difficult to exceed 2015's 2.71 million due to the challenges companies have finding people with the right skills.

Forbes

Due to the increased maximum adhesion torque, the torque difference between two wheels is more difficult to exceed the maximum adhesion torque, which causes that both wheels cannot rotate independently, and thus express more features of the conventional wheelset.

Journal of Modern Transportation

Since the SIR of the DL transmission is difficult to exceed T d as the distance between a covered member and its leader increases, the average maximum distance between a covered member and its leader decreases as T d increases.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Note that the maximum concentration for CsA in water is about 50 μM so that value would actually be difficult to exceed.

BMC Systems Biology

With such small windows, data varied greatly and therefore the significance thresholds that were set in the simulations without selection were so high that it was extremely difficult to exceed them.

Genetics, Selection, Evolution

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Many neuroscientists are particularly worried that the use of tDCS by children and young adults could affect their long-term neural development.Some of these concerns can be addressed by manufacturing tDCS devices to make it difficult, or impossible, to exceed recommended currents or to apply the electrodes incorrectly.

The Economist

Previous studies have also reported that it is difficult for individuals to exceed the recommended treatment thresholds even with markedly elevated risk factors.

BMC Women's Health

But it may be difficult for Mr. Yang to exceed shareholders' hopes and send the stock much higher.

The New York Times

Tenants like Mr. Svingen, who signed a nine-year lease in 2003, are also protected by Belgian laws that make it difficult for rent increases to exceed the rate of inflation.

The New York Times

Despite that, most pollsters say it will be difficult for the party to exceed the threshold of 5 percent of total votes needed to enter Parliament in September, although few are ruling out the possibility.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "difficult to exceed", ensure the context clearly defines what specific aspect is challenging to surpass, such as a record, a standard, or expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to exceed" without specifying what is being measured or compared. Instead of saying "It's difficult to exceed", provide context: "It's difficult to exceed last year's sales figures."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to exceed" functions as an adjective phrase that describes the challenging nature of surpassing a specific standard or achievement. It is used to express that something is hard to improve upon or go beyond, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to exceed" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe something challenging to surpass. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase finds application across diverse domains, notably science and news media. When employing this phrase, it's essential to clearly define what you're referring to and what is being measured or compared. While alternatives like "hard to surpass" or "challenging to outdo" exist, "difficult to exceed" maintains its value, particularly in contexts that require a neutral tone. By following best practices, you can ensure effective communication and avoid common errors, enhancing the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to surpass

Focuses on the difficulty of outdoing something.

challenging to outdo

Highlights the competitive aspect of exceeding a certain level.

difficult to beat

Emphasizes the competitive aspect and the struggle to surpass a specific target or achievement.

tough to top

Emphasizes the high quality or level that has been set, making it hard to improve.

unlikely to be surpassed

Highlights the low probability of something being exceeded.

unlikely to be outdone

Focuses on the improbability of someone improving upon a previous performance or accomplishment.

a high bar to clear

Uses a metaphor to describe a challenging level of achievement that is difficult to exceed.

a tough act to follow

Emphasizes the difficulty of maintaining the same level of success or quality after a previous achievement.

hard to improve upon

Highlights the difficulty of making something better than it already is.

sets a high standard

Focuses on the establishment of a high benchmark that others will find it difficult to exceed.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to exceed" to describe a benchmark, target or standard that is challenging to surpass. For example: "The athlete's record is "difficult to exceed"."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to exceed"?

Alternatives include "hard to surpass", "challenging to outdo", or "tough to top" depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to use "difficult to exceed" or "hard to exceed"?

"Difficult to exceed" and "hard to exceed" are generally interchangeable. The choice often depends on stylistic preference, although "difficult" may sound slightly more formal than "hard".

What does it mean when something is described as "difficult to exceed"?

It means that a particular level, achievement, or standard is so high or well-established that it is unlikely or challenging for others to surpass it. It implies a significant degree of difficulty in improving upon or exceeding the current status.