difficult to materialize

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to materialize" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing ideas, plans, or concepts that are hard to bring into reality or achieve. Example: "The project was ambitious, but many aspects proved to be difficult to materialize within the given timeframe."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

VE also offer the benefit of enabling the user to experience scenarios that would ordinarily be difficult to materialize in the real world due to time, cost, and safety barriers (Squire and Jenkins 2003).

Visualization in Engineering

However, adequate registration of sports injuries is difficult to materialize because the current registry system of Dutch GPs, the International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC), does not provide an option to register sports injuries.

Family Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

According to Abdullahi An-Naim (1992, p.34), however, the prerequisite conditions for the enforcement of this punishment are extremely difficult to realize in practice and are unlikely to materialize in any Muslim country in the foreseeable future.

SEP

If those two pools of money -- plus another generated by cuts in a variety of programs, including veterans' benefits -- fail to materialize, the Administration will find it difficult, if not impossible, to pay for its new programs.

The New York Times

But policy makers face difficult questions about how deep to cut rates, given that a recession has yet to materialize and that inflation pressures remain a nagging concern in the background.

The New York Times

All-cash buyers, typically investors eager to renovate and quickly resell or rent out homes, are making it more difficult for first-time buyers, who typically rely on mortgage loans that can take weeks or months to materialize.

The New York Times

Girls failed to materialize.

The New Yorker

Weather work failed to materialize.

The New York Times

But it failed to materialize.

The New York Times

But it has yet to materialize.

The New York Times

That dynamic threatens to materialize again.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "difficult to materialize" when you want to express that something is not easily achievable or may not come to fruition due to various obstacles. This phrase works well in both formal and informal settings to describe challenges in making ideas or plans a reality.

Common error

While "difficult to materialize" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound overly abstract. Consider using more concrete language to specify what makes something difficult to achieve. For example, instead of saying "the plan was difficult to materialize", try "the plan was difficult to implement due to budget constraints".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to materialize" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an implied noun, indicating the degree of challenge in bringing something into reality. As affirmed by Ludwig, it is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to materialize" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes the challenges involved in bringing an idea, plan, or concept into reality. According to Ludwig, the phrase is deemed correct and usable in written English. While not extremely common, it appears in various contexts, particularly in news, scientific and virtual environment discussions. Alternative phrases like "hard to realize" or "challenging to implement" can be used for variety. Be mindful of overuse to maintain clarity and precision in your writing. To ensure accuracy, Ludwig's examples showcase the phrase in real-world scenarios, confirming its versatile yet nuanced applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to realize

This alternative focuses on the difficulty in understanding or bringing something into reality.

challenging to implement

This phrase highlights the difficulties associated with putting a plan or idea into action.

tough to achieve

This option emphasizes the effort and obstacles involved in reaching a goal.

unlikely to happen

This suggests a low probability of an event occurring, focusing on its improbability.

remote possibility

This denotes a small chance or slim likelihood of something becoming a reality.

hard to bring about

This highlights the effort required to cause something to occur or exist.

difficult to bring to fruition

This emphasizes the challenges in completing a project or seeing an idea through to completion.

unlikely to come to pass

This phrase indicates a low expectation of an event happening, focusing on its potential failure to occur.

hard to concretize

This alternative is about the difficulty of making an abstract idea concrete and tangible.

problematic to execute

This alternative highlights the issues involved in carrying out or performing a task or plan.

FAQs

What does "difficult to materialize" mean?

The phrase "difficult to materialize" means something is hard to bring into reality or make happen. It suggests there are significant obstacles preventing an idea or plan from being realized.

What can I say instead of "difficult to materialize"?

You can use alternatives like "hard to realize", "challenging to implement", or "tough to achieve" depending on the context.

How do I use "difficult to materialize" in a sentence?

You can use "difficult to materialize" to describe plans, ideas, or expectations. For example, "The company's ambitious goals proved difficult to materialize due to unforeseen market conditions."

Is it better to use "difficult to materialize" or "hard to achieve"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "difficult to materialize" is often used when discussing ideas or plans that are in the early stages or abstract. "Hard to achieve" is more general and can apply to any goal or objective. In most contexts they are interchangeable.