difficult to locate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'difficult to locate' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is hard to find, either physically or online. For example, "The spare part I needed for my car was difficult to locate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"She was difficult to locate".

The New York Times

Such tunnels are remarkably difficult to locate.

MIT Technology Review

Often, though, the troubles were more difficult to locate.

The New Yorker

Such a moment is undoubtedly difficult to locate.

The New York Times

Many spammers are difficult to locate and to prosecute.

The Economist

It would be difficult to locate many outside Houston that would give the Dynamo a chance.

The Guardian - Sport

This has made it difficult to locate new sources of helium.

The Guardian

The delegates aren't difficult to locate -- they wear rakishly tilted straw hats.

The New York Times - Tech

"She has been difficult to locate and her assets have been impossible to locate," he said.

The New York Times

"Young people often find contraceptive services and advice difficult to locate.

The Guardian

The songs are short and uniformly excellent, so it's difficult to locate a focal point.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the difficulty in finding information, consider using "difficult to locate" to convey a professional and clear tone. For example: "Relevant research papers were difficult to locate, hindering the study's progress."

Common error

Avoid using excessive passive voice constructions with "difficult to locate". Instead of saying "The source was difficult to be located", use active voice: "It was difficult to locate the source".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to locate" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase followed by an infinitive. It's used to qualify a noun (understood or explicitly stated) by indicating the challenge or obstacle associated with finding that noun. According to Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically sound and readily usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

30%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to locate" is a grammatically correct and versatile expression used to describe the challenge of finding something or someone. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts. It's most frequently encountered in news, science, and academic writing, suggesting a neutral to professional tone. Alternatives like "hard to find" or "elusive" can be used depending on the desired nuance. When writing, prioritize active voice and be mindful of overusing passive constructions. By understanding its function, purpose, and common contexts, writers can effectively use "difficult to locate" to convey the level of effort involved in a search or retrieval process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to find

This alternative uses simpler vocabulary, focusing on the basic challenge of finding something.

not easily found

This is a straightforward negative construction, highlighting the lack of ease in finding.

challenging to discover

This phrase emphasizes the effort required in uncovering or finding something.

tough to pinpoint

This implies a need for precision in identifying something, often a specific location or cause.

elusive

This single-word alternative suggests something is intentionally or inherently hard to catch or find.

obscure

This indicates something is hidden or not well-known, making it difficult to locate information about it.

problematic to unearth

This phrase emphasizes the difficulty and potential issues in uncovering or revealing something.

not traceable

This suggests that the item in question lacks a clear path or record, making it hard to locate.

like searching for a needle in a haystack

This is an idiomatic expression describing an almost impossible task of finding something within a large, chaotic environment.

undiscoverable

Highlights that something cannot be discovered no matter how hard someone searches.

FAQs

What does "difficult to locate" mean?

The phrase "difficult to locate" means something or someone is not easy to find. It suggests there are obstacles or challenges in finding them, either physically or in terms of information.

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

You can use "difficult to locate" to describe a physical object ("The missing file was "hard to find""), a person ("The witness was "difficult to locate" after the incident"), or information ("The original data proved "difficult to locate"").

What are some alternatives to "difficult to locate"?

Alternatives to "difficult to locate" include "hard to find", "challenging to discover", "elusive", or "obscure", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "difficult to locate" or "hard to find"?

"Difficult to locate" and "hard to find" are often interchangeable, but "difficult to locate" may sound slightly more formal and professional. The best choice depends on the context and your desired tone.