difficult to return

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to return" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation or item that poses challenges in being sent back or reverted to a previous state. Example: "The item was damaged during shipping, making it difficult to return for a refund."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Captive animals are difficult to return to the wild.

The Economist

"It's very difficult to return to some type of peace of mind," she said.

The New York Times

Police closed off an entrance to the platform, making it difficult to return.

The Guardian

It would be difficult to return in one week and run in the Derby.

The New York Times - Sports

They are so immediate that it makes it very difficult to return to this century.

The Guardian - Books

"If you eat caviar every day it is difficult to return to sausages," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

But it is difficult to return with his ex-wife there.

The Guardian

It is extremely difficult to return money in Silicon Valley, Ganesan said.

The Washington Post

And I'm going to show you the evidence that obesity, once it begins, may be very difficult to return from.

Cornell University

Once you reach a tipping point, it's very difficult to return things to how they used to be.

The New York Times

Despite her antipathy to many rules of Russian existence, writer found it difficult to return to Switzerland.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing abstract concepts or situations, use "difficult to return" to highlight the challenges in reverting to a previous state. For example: "Once trust is broken, it's difficult to return to a state of mutual respect."

Common error

While "difficult to return" is generally acceptable, consider simpler alternatives like "hard to get back" or "tough to undo" in casual conversations to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to return" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying an infinitive verb. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is used to describe the level of challenge associated with reverting something to a previous state or condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

11%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult to return" is a versatile expression used to convey the challenge of reverting or restoring something to a previous state. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific domains. While generally suitable for neutral and professional settings, simpler alternatives may be preferred in informal conversations. The phrase's primary function is to express the degree of difficulty, as evidenced by numerous examples provided by Ludwig that span from personal challenges to global implications. Its consistent presence in authoritative sources underscores its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging to revert

Emphasizes the difficulty in reversing a situation or process.

not easy to restore

Emphasizes the lack of ease in bringing something back to a previous state.

complicated to undo

Emphasizes the intricate nature of reversing an action or situation.

hard to give back

Focuses specifically on the act of returning something tangible.

not simple to reverse

Highlights the complexity of reversing a process or decision.

problematic to reinstate

Highlights the difficulty in restoring someone or something to a former position.

tough to send back

Highlights the problematic aspect of physically returning something.

onerous to bring back

Emphasizes the burdensome nature of returning something.

inconvenient to ship back

Focuses on logistical challenges of returning via shipping.

hard to walk back

Focuses on the difficulty of retracting a statement or decision.

FAQs

What does "difficult to return" mean?

The phrase "difficult to return" signifies that something is challenging or problematic to revert, restore, or send back to a previous state or location. It implies obstacles or complications that hinder the process of returning.

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

You can use "difficult to return" to describe a situation where reversing a decision or action is challenging. For example: "After damaging the product, it became "difficult to return" it for a full refund".

What are some alternatives to "difficult to return"?

Alternatives to "difficult to return" include "hard to give back", "challenging to revert", or "not easy to restore", depending on the specific context.

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

Yes, "difficult to return" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure where "difficult" modifies the infinitive verb phrase "to return".