difficult to obtain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to obtain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is hard to acquire or achieve, often due to scarcity or complexity. Example: "The rare artifact was difficult to obtain, requiring extensive research and connections in the archaeological community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Details are difficult to obtain.

The Economist

Some are extremely difficult to obtain.

The New York Times

difficult to obtain in traditional reactors.

Chemical Engineering Science

Clear information proved, in the end, difficult to obtain.

The Guardian - Books

Accurate figures on mobile wallet payments are difficult to obtain.

The Guardian - Tech

But these cells are rare and difficult to obtain.

The New York Times

Permission for wiretaps is more difficult to obtain.

The New York Times

Points will be difficult to obtain on the road.

The New York Times - Sports

Fetal cells are difficult to obtain and raise ethical issues.

MIT Technology Review

It is difficult to obtain figures for other countries.

Britannica

This high absorbance is difficult to obtain using natural materials.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to obtain", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the subject difficult to get. Specify if it's due to scarcity, complexity, legal restrictions, or other factors.

Common error

Avoid vague statements. Instead of simply stating something is "difficult to obtain", explain why it's difficult. For instance, instead of 'Data is difficult to obtain', say 'Accurate data on the subject is difficult to obtain due to privacy regulations'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to obtain" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, followed by an infinitive. It describes the characteristic of something being hard to get. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to obtain" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe something challenging to acquire. As Ludwig AI confirms, its correctness, widespread usage across diverse domains—from news and science to academia—underscores its reliability and adaptability. Remember to provide context by specifying why the subject is "difficult to obtain" for enhanced clarity. Alternative phrases like "hard to come by" or "challenging to acquire" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to come by

Emphasizes the scarcity or rarity of something.

challenging to acquire

Highlights the effort needed to get something.

not easily accessible

Focuses on the lack of availability or ease of reaching something.

difficult to secure

Stresses the effort required to ensure possession of something.

tough to obtain

An informal way of saying something is not easy to get.

elusive to find

Suggests the object is hard to pinpoint or track down.

rare to encounter

Implies that something is infrequently met or experienced.

scarce to obtain

Highlights that limited quantity makes something difficult to get

complex to achieve

Focuses on the complicated steps needed to reach a certain result

demanding to acquire

Highlights that something needs dedication and effort to be acquired

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to obtain" to describe something that is challenging to acquire or achieve. For example, "Clear information proved, in the end, "difficult to obtain"".

What are some alternatives to saying "difficult to obtain"?

Alternatives include "hard to come by", "challenging to acquire", or "not easily accessible", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "difficult to obtain"?

Yes, "difficult to obtain" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to describe something that is not easy to get.

What makes something "difficult to obtain"?

Something can be "difficult to obtain" due to various factors like scarcity, legal restrictions, complexity, or high costs. The specific reason should be clear from the context.