difficult to rival

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to rival" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is hard to compete with or match in quality, value, or excellence. Example: "The athlete's performance was so exceptional that it was difficult to rival any other competitor in the tournament."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Most of the art in this volume is fueled by love, a fossil fuel perhaps, but a potent one; it is difficult to rival the combustive energy of genius and passion.

The New York Times - Books

And Mr Solebo admits it is difficult to rival football as there are not the fans to warrant tickets that would pay for the upkeep of a turf pitch.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The Cuba-Russia-China axis is very difficult for America to rival or dissolve, and it ensures that for the foreseeable future, Obama's Cuban Thaw might be more symbolic than transformational in its impact.

Huffington Post

It wasn't difficult to mock his rivals.

The Guardian - Opinion

He is taking nothing for granted in the wake of his sixth win of the year but increasingly it is difficult to see what his rival can do to match him.

The Guardian - Sport

Many were undervalued, and found it difficult to compete with the rival Australian or Spanish mid-priced wines.

The Economist

Conversely, barring a major shift, it is very difficult to see how his rival Mitt Romney can win the White House if he does not win Virginia; he would have to pick up Democratic-leaning states like Michigan or Pennsylvania.

The New York Times

Fund-raisers and donors are not without egos, of course, and some campaign officials said it was sometimes difficult to integrate Democrats from rival campaigns into the fund-raising operation.

The New York Times

Just as other manufacturers have suffered from soaring wage costs since Greece joined the euro, local makers of erotic underwear have found it difficult to compete with cheaper rivals abroad.

Huffington Post

Etsy is going to find it very difficult to compete with its giant rival, as other retailers have discovered.

Independent

In the particular case of formulation, it is generally very difficult to establish conclusively whether a rival product is a copy of your formulation in a patent litigation.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "difficult to rival" when you want to emphasize that something is exceptionally good or powerful, making it hard for others to compete or compare favorably. This phrase works well in contexts where highlighting a unique strength or advantage is important.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to rival" in situations where a simpler, more direct comparison would suffice. Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or hyperbolic when a more straightforward adjective would be more effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to rival" functions as an adjective phrase that describes something possessing qualities that make it challenging to compete with. As Ludwig AI suggests, it highlights a unique strength or advantage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult to rival" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe something exceptionally good, making it challenging to compete. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It's relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. While effective for emphasizing unique strengths, avoid overuse in simple comparisons. Consider alternatives like "hard to match" or "challenging to compete with" to suit different contexts. Using "difficult to rival" judiciously can add impact to your writing, highlighting what makes a subject truly exceptional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to match

Focuses on the challenge of equaling or surpassing something.

challenging to compete with

Emphasizes the difficulty in direct competition.

tough to contend with

Highlights the strength and resilience of the object being rivaled.

not easily rivaled

Uses a passive construction to emphasize the object's superior qualities.

unlikely to be surpassed

Indicates a low probability of being exceeded or improved upon.

difficult to outdo

Focuses on exceeding the accomplishments or performance of something.

hard to emulate

Highlights the complexity and uniqueness that makes imitation difficult.

unmatched in its class

Emphasizes superiority within a specific category or group.

virtually impossible to beat

Exaggerates the difficulty, suggesting near impossibility.

a force to be reckoned with

Highlights the substantial power or influence that makes competition daunting.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to rival" to describe something that is exceptionally good or powerful. For instance, "The athlete's performance was so exceptional that it was difficult to rival any other competitor in the tournament."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to rival"?

Alternatives include "hard to match", "challenging to compete with", or "tough to contend with" depending on the specific context.

In what contexts is "difficult to rival" most appropriately used?

"Difficult to rival" is often used in contexts where you want to highlight a unique strength or advantage, particularly in fields like sports, business, or arts. It conveys a sense of exceptional quality that is hard for others to replicate.

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

Yes, the phrase "difficult to rival" is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It follows standard grammatical rules and is found in reputable sources.