difficult to keep up with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'difficult to keep up with' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is hard to keep pace with or to make progress with. For example: "The new technology is developing so fast, it's difficult to keep up with."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

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

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

The New York Times

It now finds it difficult to keep up with the new communications technologies.

The New York Times

It's easy to imagine how it could be difficult to keep up with loan payments.

The Guardian

And it's just so exciting but also difficult to keep up with what science is finding out day by day.

Cornell University

The January transfer window can be a confusing time with every club's activity difficult to keep up with.

Independent

After paying for rent and food, it became increasingly difficult to keep up with Nia's tuition of $295 a month.

The New York Times

But for many of them and their physicians, it can be difficult to keep up with all the changes.

The Washington Post

Even with a significant salary boost, it would be difficult to keep up with private-sector pay.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

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

The New York Times - Sports

This guy will be difficult to keep up with, as he is always working.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "difficult to keep up with", ensure that the subject you're referring to is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "It's difficult to keep up with", specify "It's difficult to keep up with the latest technology trends."

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to keep up with" without specifying what is causing the difficulty or what the subject is. Vague statements like "Things are just difficult to keep up with" lack clarity and reduce the impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to keep up with" functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something that is challenging to maintain pace with or stay current with. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to keep up with" is a grammatically sound and highly versatile expression used to convey challenges in maintaining pace or progress. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly in News & Media and scientific discussions. When using the phrase, clarity is key; ensure the subject of difficulty is well-defined to avoid ambiguity. While the phrase is common, overgeneralization should be avoided to maintain precision in writing. Related phrases such as "hard to keep up with" or "challenging to keep up with" offer alternative ways to express similar meanings, each with subtle nuances. Given its widespread use and clear meaning, "difficult to keep up with" remains a valuable tool for expressing the complexities of keeping pace in an ever-changing world.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tricky to keep up with

Replaces "difficult" with "tricky", indicating a more subtle or nuanced challenge.

hard to keep up with

Substitutes "difficult" with "hard", providing a more straightforward and common alternative.

tough to keep up with

Replaces "difficult" with "tough", suggesting a more resilient or enduring challenge.

challenging to keep up with

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging", emphasizing the stimulating nature of the difficulty.

cannot keep pace with

Replaces "difficult to keep up with" indicating that someone is unable to maintain same pace with another.

impossible to keep up with

Indicates that maintaining pace is not feasible or achievable, implying a greater degree of difficulty.

struggling to maintain pace with

Focuses on the effort involved in maintaining pace, highlighting the exertion required.

finding it hard to keep pace

Emphasizes the personal experience of struggling with the pace, highlighting the individual's difficulty.

cannot keep abreast of

Replaces "keep up with" with a more formal term, indicating an inability to stay informed or updated.

lagging behind

Focuses on falling behind due to inability to maintain pace, shifting the emphasis from difficulty to result.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to keep up with" to describe challenges in maintaining pace or progress. For instance, "It's "difficult to keep up with" the rapid changes in the stock market".

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

Alternatives include phrases like "hard to keep up with", "challenging to keep up with", or "impossible to keep up with", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "difficult to keep up with"?

Yes, "difficult to keep up with" is grammatically correct and widely used in both formal and informal contexts.

What's the difference between "difficult to keep up with" and "difficult to catch up with"?

"Difficult to keep up with" implies a continuous struggle to maintain pace, while "difficult to catch up with" suggests a need to recover lost ground.