difficult to scale

USAGE SUMMARY

'difficult to scale' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when something is not easy to change or increase in size or intensity, for example: "This project has proved to be extremely difficult to scale."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And it's terribly difficult to scale nonprofits today.

The New York Times - Magazine

Will the manufacturing be difficult to scale up?

MIT Technology Review

"It's definitely been difficult to scale up," Ms. Wilson said.

The New York Times

Philanthropic approaches are also difficult to scale unless ever greater generosity prevails.

The Guardian

All analysis suggests it would be extremely difficult to "scale up" to a higher target.

The Guardian

And it could be difficult to scale up in smaller countries like Costa Rica and Colombia.

Yale University

Existing techniques are expensive and difficult to scale as they require locally collected survey data.

Stanford University

Insurance is highly valuable to protect against shocks but is difficult to scale.

Harvard Business Review

It will be difficult to scale up without a change of values and policies.

The Guardian

These data collection methods are therefore difficult to scale to enable large clinical studies.

Nature

Live meetings of participants make good initial platforms, but they're difficult to scale up cost-effectively.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to scale", clearly identify what specifically is facing scaling challenges. This adds precision and context to your statement.

Common error

Avoid stating that something is "difficult to scale" without specifying the reasons. Instead of saying "The project is difficult to scale", explain why it is difficult, such as "The project is difficult to scale due to high initial investment costs".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to scale" functions as an adjectival phrase followed by an infinitive, describing the degree of difficulty associated with expanding or increasing the capacity of something. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

29%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult to scale" is a commonly used phrase to describe the challenges encountered when attempting to expand or replicate something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. When using this phrase, it's best practice to specify why something is "difficult to scale" to provide more clarity. Alternatives include phrases like "hard to expand" or "challenging to grow". The phrase is suitable for various contexts, including news, academia, and business, making it a versatile and valuable addition to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not easily scalable

Emphasizes the lack of inherent scalability in a system or process.

limited scalability

Indicates that there are restrictions on how much something can be scaled.

hard to expand

Focuses on the challenge of increasing in size or scope, similar to scaling.

scaling is problematic

Directly states that the process of scaling is causing difficulties.

scaling is tough

Scaling presents considerable difficulty

challenging to grow

Highlights the difficulties in achieving growth, a key aspect of scaling.

scaling is demanding

Scaling requires considerable effort and resources.

faces scalability issues

Points out the problems related to making something larger or more efficient.

presents scaling challenges

Highlights the hurdles and obstacles in the path of scaling.

scaling is complex

Indicates that the scaling involves many different and connected parts which are difficult to deal with.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to scale" to describe a process, business model, or technology that faces challenges when attempting to expand or increase its capacity. For example, "This business model is "difficult to scale" without significant capital investment".

What are some alternatives to saying "difficult to scale"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "hard to expand", "challenging to grow", or "not easily scalable".

What makes something "difficult to scale"?

Several factors can make something "difficult to scale", including high costs, complex processes, limited resources, regulatory hurdles, or a business model that doesn't easily replicate.

Is "difficult to scale" the same as "impossible to scale"?

No, "difficult to scale" implies that scaling is challenging but potentially achievable with effort or adjustments. "Impossible to scale" suggests that scaling is not feasible under any circumstances.