difficult to fulfill

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to fulfill" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a task, requirement, or expectation that is challenging to meet or accomplish. Example: "The project has several requirements that are difficult to fulfill, making it a complex undertaking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But such big promises can be difficult to fulfill.

The New York Times - Books

Expectations of a full-fledged circus might be difficult to fulfill, even without the judge's restrictions.

The New York Times - Arts

Without cluster munitions it becomes more difficult to fulfill our security guarantees to others.

The Guardian

They say it is increasingly difficult to fulfill their duty to rehouse homeless people locally because of high rents.

The Guardian

"Tell me what happens," he whispered on his way out, a request that proved difficult to fulfill.

The New York Times

But even that modest goal may be difficult to fulfill, said Steve Grover, a company vice president.

The New York Times

The insider-trading lawsuit may only make his quest for the baseball team more difficult to fulfill.

The New York Times

I appreciated their thoughtfulness, but at the same time found it increasingly difficult to fulfill my desire to be independent and self-reliant.

The New York Times

Being a populist helped elicit a warm response; he adopted positions difficult to fulfill, like saying Egyptians should have the legal right to eat meat daily.

The New York Times

In response to daily Republican attacks, the White House defends every feature of the law, potentially creating expectations that will be difficult to fulfill in the near future.

The New York Times

But the criteria will be difficult to fulfill: while research universities often hunt for presidents who are leaders in their academic field, solid administrators and aggressive fund-raisers, Yeshiva is also searching for an expert in Judaic thought.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "difficult to fulfill", ensure that the subject is clearly defined. For example, instead of saying "It is difficult to fulfill", specify what is difficult to fulfill, such as "The project requirements are difficult to fulfill".

Common error

While "difficult to fulfill" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "challenging to meet" or "hard to achieve" to add nuance and sophistication to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to fulfill" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It typically describes a task, goal, promise, or expectation that presents significant challenges in its completion. Ludwig's examples show that it is often used to express concerns about the feasibility of achieving something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to fulfill" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes tasks or expectations that are challenging to meet. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its usage spans various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings, and is generally considered to be neutral to formal in register. While acceptable, overuse should be avoided by incorporating synonyms like "hard to achieve" or "challenging to meet" for variety. Understanding the nuances of this phrase and its alternatives enhances writing clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to achieve

Emphasizes the level of effort required for attainment.

challenging to meet

Highlights the difficulty in satisfying a specific requirement or expectation.

difficult to attain

Focuses on the obstacles to reaching a certain level or standard.

tough to accomplish

Focuses on the complexity of completing a task.

unlikely to realize

Suggests a low probability of something becoming a reality.

impractical to implement

Indicates that a plan or idea is not feasible in practice.

onerous to satisfy

Highlights the burdensome nature of fulfilling a condition.

formidable to execute

Emphasizes the significant challenges in carrying out a plan.

strenuous to bring about

Highlights the demanding work involved in causing something to happen.

daunting to bring to fruition

Focuses on the intimidating aspect of completing a long and complex task.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to fulfill" to describe goals, expectations, or requirements that are challenging to achieve. For example: "The company's ambitious targets are proving "difficult to fulfill"".

What are some alternatives to "difficult to fulfill"?

Some alternatives include "hard to achieve", "challenging to meet", or "tough to accomplish", depending on the context.

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

Both "difficult to fulfill" and "hard to fulfill" are grammatically correct. "Difficult" is slightly more formal than "hard", but the choice depends on the overall tone of your writing. If you need to sound more professional use the first, otherwise use the second.

What makes a promise or expectation "difficult to fulfill"?

Promises or expectations can be "difficult to fulfill" due to unforeseen circumstances, lack of resources, or unrealistic initial assessments. It implies that meeting the obligation is challenging but not necessarily impossible.