difficult to keep up

USAGE SUMMARY

'difficult to keep up' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express an inability to follow the pace of something or keep up with someone/something. For example, "The fast-paced conversation made it difficult to keep up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Is it sometimes difficult to keep up with what is acceptable language?

Huffington Post

Many are unemployed because of health reasons, so find it difficult to keep up with bills.

The Guardian

It's difficult to keep up with the accelerated rate of change in digital advertising.

Forbes

Sometimes it's so difficult to keep up.

The Times

"More and more, it's difficult to keep up with technology.

The New York Times - Sports

Does going abroad make it difficult to keep up your Princeton friendships?

Princeton University

MOST people find it difficult to keep up with Danny Hillis's imaginative leaps.

The Economist

If you're not close to that market it's difficult to keep up".

The New York Times

She said she found it difficult to keep up with demand.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Nonetheless, it isn't that difficult to keep up with the news of new edicts and administrative developments.

Forbes

Travelling a lot also made it difficult to keep up with the project meetings and with the data collection for the project.

BMC Women's Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "difficult to keep up with" when referring to a specific person, group, or thing that is moving or changing quickly.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to keep up" without specifying what is challenging to follow. Always clarify the object, whether it's 'the pace', 'the changes', or 'the workload'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to keep up" functions as an adjectival phrase describing the challenge of maintaining pace with something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used, implying a struggle to stay current or informed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

24%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult to keep up" is a common and versatile expression used to describe the challenge of staying current with rapidly changing information, trends, or activities. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely accepted, appearing frequently in diverse contexts, including news, science, and academic writing. Common usage involves expressing the strain of staying informed amidst rapid advancements, whether in technology, research, or even daily life. To effectively use the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what is challenging to follow and considering context-appropriate alternatives such as "hard to maintain pace" or "challenging to stay abreast". By mastering these nuances, you can confidently convey the feeling of being overwhelmed by the speed and complexity of modern life.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot keep up

Expresses the inability to maintain pace or understand something.

hard to maintain pace

Focuses on the challenge of sustaining a certain speed or progress.

challenging to stay abreast

Emphasizes the difficulty in remaining informed and up-to-date.

tough to stay current

Highlights the effort needed to remain updated with the latest information.

struggling to follow

Focuses on the difficulty in understanding or tracking something as it progresses.

finding it hard to follow

Similar to "struggling to follow", but adds a personal element of discovery.

having trouble keeping pace

States the trouble one is experiencing in maintaining speed or progress.

encountering difficulty staying informed

Highlights the problems faced while trying to remain informed.

it's a struggle to maintain

Emphasizes the ongoing effort and difficulty in preserving something.

can't stay on top of things

Indicates the inability to manage or control a situation or tasks.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is described as "difficult to keep up"?

When something is described as "difficult to keep up", it means that it is challenging to stay informed, updated, or at the same pace with it, often due to rapid changes or advancements.

How can I use "difficult to keep up" in a sentence?

You can use "difficult to keep up" in a sentence like: "With technology evolving so quickly, it's "difficult to keep up" with the latest trends."

What are some alternatives to saying "difficult to keep up"?

Some alternatives to "difficult to keep up" include "hard to maintain pace", "challenging to stay abreast", or "tough to stay current", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "difficult to keep up with" or just "difficult to keep up"?

Both "difficult to keep up" and "difficult to keep up with" are correct, but the inclusion of "with" often clarifies what one is trying to follow or maintain pace with.