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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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difficult to regain

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE 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

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Once momentum is lost, it may be difficult to regain.

News & Media

The Economist

But the truth is, once that allegiance is lost it is difficult to regain.

News & Media

The Guardian

"When you blow up at this size, it's so difficult to regain your footing".

News & Media

The New York Times

It is difficult to regain fitness and then regain that form once you get out on the pitch.

News & Media

Independent

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.

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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

The New York Times

FIRST MATCH WEDNESDAY If Britishers Lose Challenge Cup They Admit It Will Be a Difficult Task to Regain the Trophy.

News & Media

The New York Times

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

Independent

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

Independent

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

BBC
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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.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

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.

Expression frequency: Very common

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.

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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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: