difficult to preserve

USAGE SUMMARY

"difficult to preserve" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is hard to maintain or keep. For example, "Due to its fragility, the ancient vase was difficult to preserve."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

That makes it difficult to preserve vacant space".

The New York Times

Eggs and embryos, because of their much larger size, are even more difficult to preserve.

The New York Times - Science

It is difficult to preserve something that was made to vanish".

The New Yorker

But "peace" was difficult to preserve on both the domestic and foreign fronts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But the French Revolution proved that it is difficult to preserve epic economic imbalance.

The New York Times

Even in our visually rich digital age, a dance is difficult to preserve.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Macierewicz himself exuded an Old World kind of charm that Polish intellectuals worked so hard to preserve during difficult times.

Huffington Post

Since wet specimens were hard to preserve and difficult to study, glass models were a far more reliable teaching tool, and the Blaschkas quickly figured out that the best way to sell their wares was to employ individuals who were supplying the many nascent universities and natural history museums of the time with specimens, gems, and minerals.

Vice

Adults slowed down on difficult trials to preserve accuracy; but the youngest children were impulsive; their RT remained more constant but at an accuracy cost on difficult trials.

Neuropsychologia

"These local commissions are our first line of defense in this very difficult struggle to preserve our history," said John W. Shannahan, director of the state agency.

The New York Times

It was difficult enough to preserve soil and water resources in the steep slopes of this mountainous region, already prone to erosion.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to preserve", consider specifying why it is difficult. Adding context enhances clarity. For example, instead of saying "The data was difficult to preserve", say "The data was difficult to preserve due to its sensitive nature and complex encryption."

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to preserve" as a generic statement. Instead, pinpoint the exact aspect that makes preservation challenging. For instance, instead of stating "Traditions are difficult to preserve", be specific: "Oral traditions are difficult to preserve due to the lack of written documentation and reliance on memory."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to preserve" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive, modifying a noun or concept and indicating a challenge in maintaining its original state. Ludwig AI examples show its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

48%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult to preserve" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that expresses the challenge of maintaining something in its original condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase appears frequently in diverse contexts, including news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. When using this phrase, it's best to be specific about why something is difficult to preserve. While "hard to maintain" or "challenging to conserve" serve as alternatives, the choice depends on the particular context and desired emphasis. By understanding its usage and potential pitfalls, you can use "difficult to preserve" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to maintain

Focuses on the effort required for maintenance.

challenging to conserve

Emphasizes the difficulty in conservation efforts.

tough to safeguard

Highlights the robustness needed for protection.

not easy to retain

Underlines the lack of ease in retaining something.

precarious to uphold

Indicates the instability in upholding something.

delicate to keep intact

Stresses the fragility of maintaining integrity.

problematic to protect

Highlights issues when attempt to protect something.

complex to sustain

Implies intricate problems when attempting to sustain something.

risky to secure

Highlights potential hazards in securing something.

unsafe to conserve

Expresses concern around the safety implications related to conserving something.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to preserve" to describe anything that is challenging to maintain or keep in its original condition. For example, "Due to constant exposure to sunlight, the painting was "difficult to preserve"."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to preserve"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "hard to maintain", "challenging to conserve", or "tough to safeguard".

Is it correct to say "hard to preserve" instead of "difficult to preserve"?

Yes, "hard to preserve" is a perfectly acceptable alternative. "Hard" and "difficult" are often interchangeable in this context.

What makes something "difficult to preserve"?

Various factors can make something "difficult to preserve", including fragility, environmental conditions, lack of resources, or complex processes. For example, "Ancient manuscripts are "difficult to preserve" due to their delicate material and the risk of decay".