difficult to get hold of

USAGE SUMMARY

'difficult to get hold of' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is hard to obtain or acquire, such as rare items or hard-to-find people. For example, "The filmmaker's early works are difficult to get hold of, as they were only released on VHS."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

"It can be difficult to get hold of reliable information anywhere," said Cunliffe-Jones.

The Guardian

Once they leave school they are quite difficult to get hold of".

The Guardian

Was it difficult to get hold of pop music in Poland when you were growing up?

The Guardian - Music

Data about article processing charges is much more difficult to get hold of.

The Guardian

Bodywrap can be difficult to get hold of outside the US, but try Shapewear.co.uk and eBay and Amazon.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"She's very difficult to get hold of," Detective Inspector Martin Pasmore, of Essex police, told a preliminary hearing.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Or as Williams himself explained: "The most difficult thing to get hold of, in studying any past period is this felt sense of the quality of life at any particular place and time; a sense of the ways in which the particular activities combined into a way of thinking and living".

The Guardian - Books

Red tape means it is sometimes difficult for patients to get hold of drugs, and so they seek unlicensed products through unofficial channels.

The Telegraph

Money held in asset protection trusts can elude creditors because federal bankruptcy law exempts assets governed by "applicable nonbankruptcy law". Intended to preserve rights to property under state law, the exemption makes it difficult for creditors to get hold of assets that they would not be able to seize through a nonbankruptcy proceeding in state court.

The New York Times

"It's a fantastic coaching team and as you try to progress, the most difficult thing is to get hold of a good coaching team.

BBC

This made it difficult for him to get hold of his original artwork, and excluded him from any profits Hulton made from the huge range of Dan Dare and Eagle merchandise it licensed.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to get hold of" to describe people, ensure the context clarifies whether it refers to physical unavailability or unresponsiveness.

Common error

Avoid phrasing that obscures who is experiencing the difficulty. Instead of "Information is difficult to get hold of", specify: "Researchers find it difficult to get hold of this information."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to get hold of" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe its accessibility. It expresses the degree of effort or challenge required to obtain or contact something or someone. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s a valid and commonly used expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Lifestyle

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to get hold of" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that is not easily accessible or obtainable. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment, providing ample evidence of its use in various reliable sources. While suitable for general use, awareness of context and potential overuse of passive voice can enhance writing clarity. Consider alternatives like "hard to come by" or "elusive" for variety. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase serves to convey the challenge or obstacle in acquiring something or contacting someone, adding valuable nuance to descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to come by

Replaces "difficult to get" with "hard to come", focusing on the challenge of acquisition.

not easily accessible

Highlights the lack of easy access, rather than direct difficulty in obtaining.

elusive

Similar to 'scarce', focuses on the quality of being hard to find or catch.

challenging to acquire

Replaces 'get hold of' with the more formal 'acquire', emphasizing the difficulty.

not readily obtainable

More formal, emphasizes the lack of ease in obtaining something.

scarce

Simplifies the phrase to a single adjective implying rarity and limited availability.

tough to secure

Replaces 'get hold of' with 'secure', suggesting a competition or effort is needed.

rarely available

Focuses on the infrequency of availability.

hard to track down

Specifically relates to difficulties in finding someone or something that is being searched for.

in short supply

Emphasizes that there isn't much of something, making it hard to obtain.

FAQs

What does "difficult to get hold of" mean?

The phrase "difficult to get hold of" means something is hard to obtain, acquire, or contact. It implies an obstacle or challenge in accessing the thing or person in question.

What can I say instead of "difficult to get hold of"?

You can use alternatives like "hard to come by", "scarce", or "elusive" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "difficult to get hold of"?

Yes, "difficult to get hold of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples of its use in reputable sources.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "difficult to get hold of"?

It's appropriate when you want to describe something or someone that is not easily accessible or obtainable, whether due to scarcity, logistical challenges, or other obstacles.