difficult to shatter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to shatter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is hard to break or destroy, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The team's spirit was difficult to shatter, even in the face of adversity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

However, it is so rigid that it is difficult to shatter.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's hard to shatter illusions.

Forbes

His windows started to shatter.

The New York Times

We are sorry to shatter your hopes.

The New York Times

But baseball loves to shatter crystal balls.

The Washington Post

Sometimes, to shatter the glass ceiling, you need a weapon.

Harvard University

"When it cracks, it tends to shatter".

The New York Times - Sports

My mind stopped, poised to shatter.

The New Yorker

fastball and firing another one to shatter Justin Upton's bat.

The New York Times - Sports

It's time to shatter the glass ceiling for good.

The New York Times

Stravinsky sets up a pattern only to shatter it.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to shatter" metaphorically, ensure the context clearly establishes what kind of force or challenge is being resisted. For example, "Their determination was difficult to shatter, even after facing repeated setbacks".

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to shatter" when a simpler term like "strong" or "durable" would suffice, especially in purely physical descriptions. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to shatter" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating a quality of resistance to breakage or destruction. It expresses the characteristic of something not being easily broken. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to shatter" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes the quality of being resistant to breakage, both physically and metaphorically. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not overly common, it is used across a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media, and science. When employing this phrase, writers should be mindful of the context to avoid overusing it in situations where simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. Alternatives include "hard to break" and "not easily destroyed".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to break

Emphasizes the physical effort or force needed to cause something to break.

not easily destroyed

Focuses on the resilience and ability to withstand forces that would cause destruction.

resistant to damage

Highlights the ability of something to avoid being harmed or impaired.

tough to crack

Suggests something is challenging to overcome or penetrate, whether physically or metaphorically.

unlikely to break

Indicates a low probability of something fracturing or failing.

impervious to breakage

Implies complete protection against breaking or fracturing.

difficult to ruin

Emphasizes the challenge in spoiling or impairing something's condition or quality.

not susceptible to fracture

Highlights a lack of vulnerability to cracking or breaking.

challenging to disrupt

Focuses on the difficulty in interrupting or disturbing something's stability or order.

stable under pressure

Highlights resistance to changes or disruption when subjected to difficult circumstances.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to shatter" to describe something that is resistant to breaking, either physically or metaphorically. For example, "The team's morale was difficult to shatter, even after the defeat".

What are some alternatives to "difficult to shatter"?

Alternatives include "hard to break", "not easily destroyed", or "resistant to damage", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to use "difficult to shatter" or "hard to shatter"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "difficult to shatter" might be perceived as slightly more formal than "hard to shatter". The choice depends on the tone you want to convey.

In what situations is "difficult to shatter" most applicable?

The phrase is most applicable when emphasizing the challenge involved in breaking something, whether physically (like a material) or metaphorically (like someone's spirit or an idea). It suggests a significant degree of resilience.