difficult to find

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "difficult to find" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are referring to an item or information that is hard to locate. For example, "The part I need for my car repair is difficult to find."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It had been difficult to find.

The New Yorker

Alas, it proved difficult to find.

Independent

It was proving difficult to find.

The New York Times - Travel

"It was difficult to find the motivation.

The New York Times - Sports

It was difficult to find a place.

The New York Times

They're far too difficult to find.

Independent

"It is difficult to find the money.

The Guardian

They're sometimes difficult to find.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

It's even difficult to find a moment.

Huffington Post

They're still too difficult to find, however.

Huffington Post

It's difficult to find Vietnamese-speaking teachers.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to find", consider specifying why something is hard to find. Is it rare, hidden, or complex? Providing context enhances clarity.

Common error

Don't simply state that something is "difficult to find" without providing any additional information. Explain what makes it difficult to find, or the context in which the search is taking place.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to find" typically functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating that the noun is not easy to locate or obtain. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

25%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to find" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is hard to locate or obtain. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and widely applicable in English writing. The expression appears frequently in news media, scientific articles, and wiki content, indicating a neutral register. When using the phrase, consider specifying why the item is difficult to locate, and avoid vague statements. Alternatives such as "hard to locate" or "challenging to discover" can provide similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to locate

Focuses specifically on the challenge of physically locating something.

challenging to discover

Emphasizes the effort required in uncovering or revealing something.

hard to come across

Similar to "not easy to come by" but focuses on chance encounters.

not easy to come by

Highlights the scarcity or rarity of something.

not readily available

Focuses on the immediate accessibility of something.

elusive

Describes something that tends to evade or escape.

rare

Highlights the infrequency of finding something.

a challenge to unearth

Emphasizes the effort of finding something that is hidden or buried.

scarce

Indicates a limited availability or supply.

in short supply

Highlights the lack of abundance.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to find" to describe something that is not easy to locate or obtain. For example, "Authentic vintage clothing can be "difficult to find"."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to find"?

Alternatives to "difficult to find" include "hard to locate", "challenging to discover", or "not easy to come by", depending on the specific context.

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

"Difficult to find" and "hard to find" are often interchangeable. "Difficult" is slightly more formal than "hard", but both are grammatically correct and widely understood.

What makes something "difficult to find"?

Something might be "difficult to find" due to its scarcity, obscurity, complexity, or being hidden or misplaced. The specific reason depends on the context.