difficult to match

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to match" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are describing something that is challenging to match in terms of comparison or size, for example: This new car's specifications are difficult to match.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was really difficult to match them.

The New York Times - Sports

Schedules and expectations are difficult to match.

The New York Times

That would be difficult to match, Bradway said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Salads are typically difficult to match with wine.

The New York Times

Recently ShopRunner has started to develop services that Amazon might find difficult to match.

The New York Times

"I did all I could," Volnova said, "but it was difficult to match the American's punches".

The New York Times - Sports

It is also difficult to match a potential recruit to an employer.

The New York Times

He is among those who say it will be difficult to match the energy of 2002.

The New York Times - Sports

Also, it is difficult to match the handy design and low cost of an old-fashioned paperback book.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The major white grape of the central Loire can be one-dimensional and difficult to match with food.

Independent

But I'm also a sucker for a major success story, and it is very difficult to match J. K.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to match", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being compared and why the comparison is challenging. For example, "The energy of that performance will be difficult to match."

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to match" without specifying a point of reference. Saying "That is difficult to match" lacks clarity; instead, specify what it's difficult to match with or to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to match" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an implied or stated noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes the challenging nature of finding something comparable or equivalent. The phrase typically precedes a noun or pronoun, clarifying what aspect is hard to equate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult to match" is a versatile phrase used to express a challenge in finding something equivalent or comparable. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically sound and commonly used across various contexts. The phrase appears frequently in news, science, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, it's important to specify what you're comparing and why it's challenging. While "difficult to match" is suitable for both formal and informal communication, clarity and context are key to its effective use. Considering alternatives like "hard to equate", "challenging to align", and "tough to synchronize" can add precision to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to equate

Emphasizes the struggle in finding equivalence between two things, focusing on the challenge of making them equal.

challenging to align

Highlights the difficulty in bringing things into agreement or proper relative position, suggesting a need for adjustment.

tough to synchronize

Focuses on the problematic nature of coordinating things to occur at the same time or rate.

problematic to correlate

Emphasizes the issues in establishing a mutual relationship or connection, implying potential inconsistencies.

complicated to pair

Highlights the complexity in combining two things that work well together, stressing the intricate nature of the selection.

not easy to resemble

Stresses that is not straightforward to show similarity or likeness, focusing on how much things look alike.

uneasy to compare

Focuses on the discomfort or complexity associated with making comparisons.

unlikely to parallel

Emphasizes low likelihood of two things running side by side or corresponding closely.

infrequent to find its match

Highlights that it rarely happens to find something that has similar qualities.

difficult to find a parallel

Stresses the difficulty in finding something which compares well with something else.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to match" to describe something that is challenging to equal or find a counterpart for. For example, "The quality of their service is "difficult to match"."

What's a simpler way to say "difficult to match"?

Alternatives include "hard to equate", "challenging to align", or "tough to synchronize", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "difficult to match" or "hard to match"?

Both "difficult to match" and "hard to match" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Difficult" is often perceived as slightly more formal than "hard", but they are largely interchangeable in most contexts.

When is it inappropriate to use "difficult to match"?

Avoid using "difficult to match" when the comparison is not clearly defined or when a more precise term would better convey the specific challenge involved. For example, if the issue is about finding an exact duplicate, "impossible to replicate" might be more suitable.