difficult to put down

USAGE SUMMARY

"difficult to put down" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is hard to stop reading, viewing, or consuming. Example: "I was so engrossed in the book that I found it difficult to put down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

It's that difficult to put down.

The Guardian

"It's kind of difficult to put down because sound is rather ephemeral," Mr. McCormick said.

The New York Times

While its sleights of hand are admirable, it is not quite so absorbing as to be difficult to put down.

The Guardian - Books

How, with such serious and pressing concerns, did Pereira manage to be so difficult to put down?

The Guardian - Books

There is an enormous amount to read in this volume, but it is difficult to put down.

The New York Times - Books

The authors also found that processed foods were more associated with addictive behaviour, with fatty foods being the most difficult to put down.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

In any case, his is the more difficult book to put down.

The New York Times - Books

With that said, and with the acknowledgment that this lengthy anthology offers quite an uneven array of material, "The Selected Stories of Patricia Highsmith" is a fascinating artifact, and a difficult book to put down.

The New York Times - Books

The same design qualities that make an app enthralling, he said, may also make it difficult for people to put down.

The New York Times - Tech

Writing in the Guardian's Comment Is Free section, she explained: "Given that I had been asked to mime on stage, it was not difficult for me to put down my violin and pull the organic eggs out of my tights, and take a direct shot at Cowell".

Independent

Given that I had been asked to mime on stage, it was not difficult for me to put down my violin and pull the organic eggs out of my tights, and take a direct shot at Cowell; he was smiling as I threw the eggs and he seemed to take it in the right spirit.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "difficult to put down" when you want to convey that something is so interesting or captivating that it's hard to stop engaging with it. It works well for books, games, movies, and even food.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to put down" repeatedly in reviews or summaries. Vary your language with synonyms like "compelling" or "gripping" to maintain reader interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to put down" functions as an adjective phrase that describes a quality of something, typically a book, game, or other form of media. It indicates that the subject is highly engaging and captivating, making it hard for the audience to stop engaging with it. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult to put down" is a common and correct way to describe something highly engaging and captivating, making it hard to stop reading or using it. Analysis of real-world examples, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, shows its prevalence in News & Media, Academia, and Science. While grammatically sound and widely understood, varying your language with synonyms like "compelling" or "gripping" can enhance your writing. Remember to use it appropriately across diverse contexts, balancing its descriptive power with suitable tone and style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impossible to put down

Uses a stronger word ("impossible") to express the intensity.

hard to stop reading

Focuses specifically on reading and replaces "put down" with "stop reading".

unputdownable

Single word alternative with same meaning. More informal.

compelling

Single adjective replacing the entire phrase.

gripping

Single adjective replacing the entire phrase.

captivating

Single adjective replacing the entire phrase.

absorbing

Single adjective replacing the entire phrase.

engrossing

Single adjective replacing the entire phrase.

irresistible

Implies a stronger pull or attraction.

very engaging

A more general phrase emphasizing engagement.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is described as "difficult to put down"?

It means that the item, such as a book or a game, is so engaging and interesting that it is hard to stop reading or playing it. It's highly captivating and keeps your attention.

What are some alternatives to saying "difficult to put down"?

You can use alternatives like "compelling", "gripping", or "absorbing" to express a similar idea.

Is it appropriate to use "difficult to put down" in formal writing?

Yes, "difficult to put down" is appropriate for various writing contexts, including formal ones, although it's essential to ensure it aligns with the overall tone and style of the piece. More formal alternatives might include "engrossing" or "captivating".

How can I use "difficult to put down" in a sentence?

You might say, "The book was so well-written that it was difficult to put down" or "The game's innovative gameplay made it difficult to put down".