difficult to secure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to secure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is hard to obtain, achieve, or ensure. Example: "The funding for the project has proven to be difficult to secure, causing delays in our timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This last item was the most difficult to secure.

The New Yorker

Bigger loans, too, may be more difficult to secure.

The New York Times

That makes it more difficult to secure financing.

The New York Times

Funding was at times haphazard and difficult to secure.

The Guardian

Small business owners are finding it difficult to secure loans.

The Guardian - Opinion

When Poles started to arrive, it was difficult to secure accommodation for them, remembers Mr Slay.

The Economist

But new underwriting standards imposed in 2011 have made PLUS loans more difficult to secure.

The New York Times

Mr Cem would find it difficult to secure the backing of a majority of MPs.

The Economist

It will still be difficult to secure a political agreement on any of these measures.

The Guardian - Opinion

It will be very difficult to secure a player from another Premier League club".

The Guardian - Sport

At this point, it will be difficult to secure a deal but I am still positive.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to secure", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being secured, whether it's funding, agreement, or a physical object. Clarity enhances the sentence's impact.

Common error

Avoid excessive passive voice when using "difficult to secure". Instead of saying "Funding is difficult to be secured", opt for a more direct construction like "It is difficult to secure funding" or "Securing funding is difficult".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to secure" functions primarily as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive. It modifies a noun or pronoun, describing the level of challenge associated with obtaining or ensuring something. According to Ludwig, it is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult to secure" is a versatile phrase used to describe something that presents challenges in obtaining or ensuring. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely employed across various contexts, notably in news, scientific, and business domains. While its formality leans towards neutral to professional, the key to using it effectively lies in providing clear context. By avoiding passive voice and opting for direct constructions, writers can enhance the clarity and impact of their sentences, making them more compelling and informative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to obtain

Replaces "difficult" with "hard" and "secure" with "obtain", focusing on the act of getting something.

challenging to acquire

Substitutes "difficult" with "challenging" and "secure" with "acquire", suggesting a demanding process of gaining something.

not easy to come by

Uses a more idiomatic expression indicating that something is not readily available.

tough to arrange

Focuses on the difficulty in organizing or setting up something, using "tough" instead of "difficult".

complicated to ensure

Highlights the complexity of making something certain, replacing "secure" with "ensure".

problematic to guarantee

Emphasizes the potential issues in assuring something, using "problematic" and "guarantee".

unlikely to achieve

Shifts the focus to the low probability of success, using "unlikely" and "achieve".

near impossible to get

Implies that obtaining something is almost not feasible, using "near impossible".

faces obstacles in securing

Highlights the presence of obstructions when securing something, adding extra information.

presents challenges to securing

Focuses on the problems that emerge when trying to ensure something, adding extra information.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to secure" to describe something that is challenging to obtain or ensure. For example, "It is "difficult to secure" funding for the project", or "Gaining approval was "difficult to secure"".

What are some alternatives to "difficult to secure"?

Some alternatives include "hard to obtain", "challenging to acquire", or "not easy to come by", depending on the specific context.

Is "difficult to secure" formal or informal?

"Difficult to secure" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness largely depends on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the communication. More casual synonyms exist, but this phrase remains versatile.

What makes something "difficult to secure"?

Various factors can contribute, such as high competition, stringent requirements, limited availability, or complex procedures. These obstacles make the desired outcome challenging to achieve.