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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.
Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
difficult to regain
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "difficult to regain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is hard to recover or restore, such as trust, confidence, or a lost opportunity. Example: "After the scandal, it was difficult to regain the public's trust in the organization."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Formal & Business
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
44 human-written examples
Once momentum is lost, it may be difficult to regain.
News & Media
But the truth is, once that allegiance is lost it is difficult to regain.
News & Media
"When you blow up at this size, it's so difficult to regain your footing".
News & Media
It is difficult to regain fitness and then regain that form once you get out on the pitch.
News & Media
Partly for that reason, it's more difficult to regain credibility once it's lost than to build credibility in the first place.13 But it can be done.
"The Tories must urgently recognise that libraries are an integral part of our social fabric, which will be difficult to regain once lost," she said.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
16 human-written examples
The leak was the latest setback in the increasingly difficult bid to regain control of the plant.
News & Media
FIRST MATCH WEDNESDAY If Britishers Lose Challenge Cup They Admit It Will Be a Difficult Task to Regain the Trophy.
News & Media
But Redknapp, who feels his side's top-four challenge faltered because of fatigue, knows it will be an even more difficult task to regain their Champions League place.
News & Media
I knew when I wrote about my long, and often very difficult, battle to regain full fitness in the Independent on Sunday last November, that there was a chance that in the end all my efforts would be in vain.
News & Media
But he also said the new leadership had a "difficult task to regain the confidence of its citizens by governing inclusively and taking steps to demonstrate its resolve".
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use this phrase to convey the potential consequences of losing something valuable, emphasizing the effort and challenges involved in its recovery.
Common error
Avoid using "difficult to regain" when "challenging" or "hard" would be more accurate. Overstating the difficulty can diminish the impact of your writing. Choose the word that best reflects the actual level of challenge involved.
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "difficult to regain" functions as an infinitive phrase, often modifying a noun or pronoun by describing a quality or characteristic related to the possibility of recovering something. As shown by Ludwig, it commonly describes the challenge associated with recovering abstract concepts like trust or market share.
Frequent in
News & Media
60%
Science
20%
Formal & Business
10%
Less common in
Wiki
5%
Academia
5%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "difficult to regain" is a versatile and widely used expression for conveying the challenges associated with recovering something that has been lost. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently across various contexts, including news, business, and scientific writing. The phrase is best used to emphasize the effort and potential obstacles involved in the recovery process. When using "difficult to regain", be mindful of the specific noun it modifies to ensure alignment with your intended meaning. To maintain impactful and clear writing, avoid overstating the difficulty and consider alternative phrases like "hard to get back" or "challenging to recover" where appropriate.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
hard to get back
Emphasizes the effort needed to recover something.
challenging to recover
Highlights the demanding nature of the recovery process.
tough to restore
Focuses on the resilience and effort required for restoration.
nearly impossible to recoup
Suggests a high degree of difficulty, bordering on impossibility, in recovering something, usually financial.
unlikely to be recovered
Implies a low probability of successful recovery.
hard to reestablish
Stresses the complexity of re-establishing something.
difficult to reinstate
Highlights the formal or official nature of restoring something to its previous state.
complicated to reclaim
Focuses on difficulties and complexities involved in the process of reclaiming something.
not easily recovered
Indicates that recovery is not a straightforward or simple process.
onerous to retrieve
Emphasizes the burdensome or oppressive nature of retrieving something.
FAQs
How can I use "difficult to regain" in a sentence?
You can use "difficult to regain" to describe something that is hard to recover once lost. For example, "After the data breach, it was difficult to regain the customers' trust". Other examples could be: "It is difficult to regain fitness", "It is difficult to regain market share", and "It is difficult to regain momentum".
What are some alternatives to "difficult to regain"?
Alternatives include "hard to get back", "challenging to recover", or "tough to restore". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.
Is it better to say "difficult to regain" or "hard to regain"?
Both "difficult to regain" and "hard to regain" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "Difficult" is generally considered more formal, while "hard" is more informal. The choice depends on the tone and audience of your writing.
When is it appropriate to use the phrase "difficult to regain"?
Use "difficult to regain" when you want to emphasize the significant effort and challenges involved in recovering something that has been lost, such as confidence, trust, or a competitive advantage. It's suitable when the process is not straightforward or easily achievable.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested