difficult to shake

USAGE SUMMARY

"difficult to shake" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something is hard to get rid of or that it has deeply affected someone. For example: "His feelings of disappointment were difficult to shake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is difficult to shake off a greasy grilled cheese.

The New York Times - Food

For him, it's difficult to shake off the celebrity [tag].

The Guardian - Sport

Each time I return, I dredge up memories that are difficult to shake.

The New York Times

Linguistic insecurities and peeves, once they take hold, are exasperatingly difficult to shake.

The New York Times - Books

But the accusations were difficult to shake — even from thousands of miles away.

The New York Times

Ireland's pub culture is where widespread acceptance of smoking is more difficult to shake.

The New York Times

It's difficult to shake the feeling that time has stopped here".

The Guardian

But it has been difficult to shake off the target mindset.

The Guardian

The saggy pace of Mockingjay - Part 1 proves difficult to shake during the opening stretch.

The Guardian - Film

It's difficult to shake off the sense that the bar is being set way too low.

The Guardian

"It can be a bigger hurdle to jump over, a perception that's difficult to shake".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "difficult to shake" to describe persistent feelings, ideas, or problems that are hard to get rid of. For instance, "The memory of the accident was difficult to shake."

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to shake" for trivial matters. It's best suited for describing significant or deeply rooted issues rather than minor inconveniences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to shake" functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something persistent or hard to get rid of. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable part of a sentence, often emphasizing the challenge of eliminating something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult to shake" is a versatile phrase used to describe persistent feelings, ideas, or problems that are challenging to eliminate. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal writing, though it is most frequently found in news and media sources. When seeking alternatives, consider options like "hard to dismiss" or "tough to overcome" to convey similar meanings. Remember to reserve this phrase for situations where the persistence is significant, avoiding its use for trivial matters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to dismiss

Focuses on the challenge of rejecting or ignoring something.

tough to overcome

Highlights the difficulty of surpassing an obstacle or feeling.

challenging to eradicate

Emphasizes the difficulty of completely removing or destroying something.

not easily dispelled

Indicates that something is resistant to being proven false or eliminated.

persistent and hard to ignore

Highlights the continuous presence and difficulty in disregarding something.

tenacious and difficult to eliminate

Stresses the clinging nature and removal challenges.

remains stubbornly in place

Emphasizes the firmness and resistance to movement or change.

is deeply ingrained

Focuses on how something has become firmly established and difficult to change.

unyielding in its grip

Highlights the inflexibility and strength of something's hold.

remains a significant problem

Shifts focus to the continued importance and impact of the issue.

FAQs

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

Use "difficult to shake" to describe something persistent or hard to eliminate, such as "The feeling of unease was "difficult to shake" after watching the movie."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to shake"?

You could use phrases like "hard to dismiss", "tough to overcome", or "not easily dispelled" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "hard to shake" instead of "difficult to shake"?

Yes, "hard to shake" is a perfectly acceptable and nearly synonymous alternative to "difficult to shake". Both convey the same meaning of something being persistent and challenging to get rid of.

What kind of situations is "difficult to shake" most suitable for?

This phrase is best suited for describing persistent feelings, beliefs, or problems that are challenging to overcome or eliminate. It often applies to situations involving emotional or psychological impact.