difficult to happen

USAGE SUMMARY

You can use the phrase "difficult to happen" in written English.
For example, "It was difficult to happen, but I finally achieved my dream of owning my own home."

✓ Grammatically correct

When describing events or situations with a low probability of occurring

In scientific contexts to discuss phenomena that are unlikely under certain conditions

In news reports when quoting someone expressing doubt about an event

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

When asked on Friday if there was any chance Schweinsteiger could play for United at all this season, Mourinho said: "I think it's very difficult to happen.

The Guardian - Sport

"The question is: is the UK ready to accept or encourage greater integration of the eurozone or is the UK distrustful of that and will it create obstacles and make it more difficult to happen?" The Financial Times (subscription) says the Lib Dems are pushing for Hong Kong-style regulations relating to bankers' bonuses.

The Guardian

"The majority of egg freezing requests are because someone wants to preserve their fertility so they feel as though if it is a few years before they meet the person they want to have a child with, and perhaps their fertility has declined to an extent where that might be more difficult to happen, at least they have got some fertility frozen in time," he said.

The Guardian

However, in grids permanently executing jobs, it is difficult to happen.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

When I'm feeling the way I feel between tournaments I find that very difficult to happen.

BBC

It is speculated that the direct bonding of Zn and O on SiO2 seems to be difficult to happen.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Asked whether the plan would be difficult to make happen, Musk said: "Yeah, absolutely, no problem".

Independent

And though it may be controversial to admit, and difficult to see happen, bureaucracy must be swept aside.

HuffPost

However, I would learn that trials are in fact incredibly difficult to make happen.

Human Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics

The EU can only hope to make it more difficult for fraud to happen.

The Economist

"That's where the difficult negotiations need to happen, costings need to be bottomed out".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "difficult to happen" when you want to express that an event or situation is unlikely or faces significant obstacles. This phrasing works well in both formal and informal contexts, providing a clear indication of improbability.

Common error

While "difficult to happen" is generally acceptable, avoid using it excessively in highly formal or academic writing where more sophisticated vocabulary might be preferred. Opt for alternatives like "unlikely to occur" or "improbable" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to happen" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an implied event or situation. It expresses a low probability or significant challenge associated with the occurrence of that event. Ludwig shows various examples across multiple contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult to happen" is a grammatically correct and relatively common expression used to convey that an event or situation faces significant challenges or has a low probability of occurring. As confirmed by Ludwig, it appears across various contexts, including news, science, and formal communication, indicating its versatility. While the phrase is widely acceptable, it is advisable to use it judiciously in highly formal writing, opting for more sophisticated alternatives where appropriate. Its function is primarily to express doubt or skepticism, tempering expectations and acknowledging potential obstacles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unlikely to occur

Focuses on the low probability of something taking place.

improbable event

Highlights the unlikelihood of a specific event.

hard to come about

Emphasizes the effort or challenges involved in something happening.

unlikely to materialize

Suggests that something is unlikely to become a reality.

slim chance of happening

Indicates a very low probability of occurrence.

remote possibility

Highlights the distance or improbability of an event.

scarcely possible

Emphasizes the rarity of the event occurring.

not easily achieved

Focuses on the difficulty in attaining a particular outcome.

faces significant hurdles

Highlights the obstacles preventing an event from occurring.

presents considerable challenges

Focuses on the difficulties and obstacles involved.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to happen" to describe events or situations that are unlikely or face significant obstacles. For example, "Given the current economic climate, a rapid recovery is "difficult to happen"".

What are some alternatives to "difficult to happen"?

Alternatives include "unlikely to occur", "improbable event", or "hard to come about" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "difficult to happen" grammatically correct?

Yes, "difficult to happen" is grammatically correct. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability, and it is used in various reputable sources. However, be mindful of the formality level required by your writing context.

When should I avoid using "difficult to happen"?

While generally acceptable, avoid overusing "difficult to happen" in extremely formal or academic writing. More sophisticated alternatives like "unlikely to materialize" or "presents considerable challenges" might be more appropriate in those contexts.