difficult to gain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to gain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is hard to obtain or achieve. Example: "Trust is often difficult to gain, especially after a betrayal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Previously, it was difficult to gain nationwide distribution.

The New York Times

This was apparent when I arrived as it was very difficult to gain entry.

The Guardian

Did you find it difficult to gain access to the places you visited?

The New Yorker

The alliance will find it difficult to gain ground and breach the Taliban front.

The New York Times

Several legal experts said it would be difficult to gain Anderson's freedom through a Grumbles motion.

The New York Times - Sports

Far left movements are traditionally more internationalist, finding it difficult to gain traction.

The Guardian - Opinion

As with many sectors it is very difficult to gain a position without experience.

The Guardian

If you lose good standing, it will be very difficult to gain admission to another college.

University of California, Berkeley

"It is often very difficult to gain consensus on the numbers of casualties in Iraq.

The Washington Post

It must be difficult to gain access to a venue like this.

The Guardian - Sport

We wanted to hear the perspectives of rank-and-file officials, a view that is difficult to gain from afar.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to gain", ensure the context clearly indicates what is difficult to acquire or achieve. For instance, specify whether it's "difficult to gain trust", "difficult to gain access", or "difficult to gain support".

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to gain" in overly general statements without specifying what is difficult to achieve. For example, instead of saying "Success is difficult to gain", specify "Sustainable success is difficult to gain without a clear strategy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to gain" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying an implied noun. It commonly precedes a noun phrase indicating what is challenging to acquire, achieve, or obtain. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and widely usable across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to gain" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe the challenges involved in acquiring or achieving something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usability. It finds frequent use in news, scientific, and academic contexts, reflecting its role in objective discussions of various challenges. While alternatives like "hard to acquire" or "challenging to obtain" exist, "difficult to gain" provides a direct and effective way to convey the effort required to obtain a particular outcome. Remember to specify what exactly is "difficult to gain" to avoid broad or unclear statements. The examples showcase its wide applicability across diverse domains, proving it a valuable addition to your writing toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to acquire

Emphasizes the effort needed for acquisition, shifting focus from the gaining process to the result of acquiring.

challenging to obtain

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging" and "gain" with "obtain", highlighting the demanding nature of the process.

not easy to come by

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the scarcity or rarity of something.

tough to secure

Focuses on the effort and competition involved in obtaining something, suggesting a sense of protection or guarding.

requires effort to achieve

Shifts the focus to the necessary exertion for achieving a desired outcome.

presents obstacles to acquiring

Highlights the barriers and impediments involved in the acquisition process.

not readily available

Emphasizes the limited availability or accessibility of something.

demands considerable work to attain

Stresses the significant amount of effort required for attainment.

involves a struggle to obtain

Highlights the conflict and effort involved in getting something.

poses a challenge to secure

Emphasizes the demanding nature of ensuring something is obtained and protected.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to gain" to describe something that is challenging to acquire or achieve, such as "It is difficult to gain the public's trust after a scandal".

What are some alternatives to "difficult to gain"?

Alternatives include phrases like "hard to acquire", "challenging to obtain", or "not easy to come by", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct: "difficult to gain access" or "difficult to have access"?

"Difficult to gain access" is generally more concise and idiomatic. While "difficult to have access" isn't incorrect, it's less commonly used. Prefer "difficult to gain access" for a more natural phrasing.

What's the difference between "difficult to gain" and "hard to achieve"?

While similar, "difficult to gain" often implies acquiring something tangible or intangible, like support or knowledge. "Hard to achieve" /s/hard+to+achieve focuses more on accomplishing a specific goal or outcome.