difficult to shred

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to shred" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is hard to tear or break apart, often in a physical context like food or materials. Example: "The tough meat was difficult to shred, even with a sharp knife."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

With the addition of paper dust, this can eventually form a thick mixture that makes it more difficult to shred paper.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

For this dish, use a box grater to shred the best tomato you can find, no difficult task at this time of year.

The New York Times - Magazine

"You're ready to shred it".

The New York Times

* Enrontia: the burning desire to shred things.

The New York Times

It's a way to shred (ideally, not knee ligaments).

The New York Times

His parents encouraged him; he learned to shred.

The New York Times - Magazine

Apparently, my jumping caused the acoustic ceiling tiles to shred.

The New York Times

I would have liked to shred the whole thing.

The New Yorker

Guitarists love to shred.

TechCrunch

Lawn has long fibres and is not easy to shred.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

For one, Willy Wonka knows how to shred.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical properties, specify why something is "difficult to shred". Is it the material's strength, thickness, or flexibility?

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to shred" when a more precise term better captures the material's properties. For instance, instead of saying a diamond is "difficult to shred", describe it as "exceptionally hard".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to shred" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate that it possesses a quality of being hard to tear or break apart. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

32%

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult to shred" is a grammatically sound adjective phrase used to describe the property of being hard to tear or break apart. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, it's important to consider more precise language to fully capture the properties of the material, as noted in the writing guidance. This phrase appears in various contexts, including Wiki, News & Media and Science, suggesting a neutral register. Related phrases focus on the physical challenges of tearing or destroying something. While the usage frequency is rare, its meaning is clear and the sources are authoritative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to tear apart

Emphasizes the physical challenge of tearing something.

tough to rip

Highlights the resistance of a material to ripping.

challenging to fragment

Focuses on the difficulty of breaking something into pieces.

not easily pulverized

Suggests the object resists being ground into powder.

resists disintegration

Implies an object's ability to maintain its structure against breaking apart.

difficult to break down

Highlights the resistance to decomposition or fragmentation.

hard to macerate

Emphasizes the challenge of softening or breaking down a substance by soaking.

tough to mince

Focuses on the difficulty of cutting something into very small pieces.

challenging to dice

Highlights the difficulty of cutting something into small cubes.

not easily fragmented

Implies resistance to being broken into smaller pieces.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to shred" to describe materials or items that are hard to tear or break apart, such as "The industrial-grade plastic was "difficult to shred", requiring a specialized machine".

What are some alternatives to "difficult to shred"?

Alternatives include "hard to tear apart", "tough to rip", or "challenging to fragment", depending on the specific context and the type of resistance you're describing. See also: "hard to tear apart", "tough to rip", "challenging to fragment".

Is it better to say "difficult to shred" or "hard to shred"?

Both "difficult to shred" and "hard to shred" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Difficult" might imply a slightly greater degree of challenge than "hard", but the difference is minimal and often depends on personal preference.

What makes something "difficult to shred"?

The properties of the material determine how "difficult to shred" it is. Strength, thickness, elasticity, and density all contribute to an object's resistance to shredding. For example, a woven material might be "difficult to shred" due to its interwoven fibers.