difficult to sign

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to sign" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that poses a challenge or is not easy to sign, such as a document or agreement. Example: "The contract was so lengthy and complicated that it was difficult to sign without legal advice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

It will be difficult to sign him.

The Guardian - Sport

"It is always difficult to sign good players," he chirruped.

The Guardian - Sport

CRs also made it difficult to sign long-term contracts.

The Washington Post

It is becoming increasingly difficult to sign up competent crew prepared to spend months away at sea.

The Economist

For obvious political reasons Labour will find it very difficult to sign up for the plan as it stands.

Independent

He is committed to clearing salary-cap space in 2010, making it difficult to sign players in 2009.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Steve Barnett, the co-chairman of Columbia Records, said it was not a difficult decision to sign One Direction; "I just thought there was a void, and maybe they could seize and hold it".

Wikipedia

"They need to understand how difficult it is to sign players".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's really difficult for countries to sign up to something that loses them half their territory.

The Guardian

Since taking office, Mr. Obama has said that his most difficult task is to sign letters of condolence to families of service members killed in the line of duty.

The New York Times

This creates uncertainty for businesses trading with E.U. countries and makes it difficult for Britain to sign new comprehensive trade deals with other nations, such as the United States.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "difficult to sign", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is proving challenging to sign. Be specific about the agreement, document, or individual involved.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to sign" without specifying the reasons for the difficulty. Provide context to clarify whether the difficulty stems from financial constraints, contractual terms, or other factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to sign" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an implied noun (e.g., agreement, contract). It describes something as posing a challenge or obstacle in the process of obtaining a signature, indicating a problem related to approval or formalization. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Sports

26%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

6%

Wiki

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to sign" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression for describing situations where obtaining a signature on an agreement or document presents challenges. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English. The primary contexts include news and media, sports, and business. When using this phrase, it is important to provide context to clarify the reasons for the difficulty, whether financial, contractual, or otherwise. Alternatives like "challenging to secure" or "hard to get a signature on" can be used depending on the specific nuance. Understanding its register and usage patterns ensures its appropriate and effective application in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging to secure

Replaces 'difficult' with 'challenging' and 'sign' with 'secure', emphasizing the effort required.

hard to get a signature on

Rephrases the concept to focus on obtaining a signature specifically.

not easy to finalize

Shifts the focus to the finalization process, implying difficulty in reaching an agreement.

tough to negotiate

Highlights the difficulty in the negotiation phase leading to a signature.

problematic to ratify

Focuses on the ratification process, suggesting potential issues in formal approval.

laborious to formalize

Emphasizes the effort required in formalizing an agreement.

complicated to endorse

Suggests that the endorsement process faces complexity.

requires effort to get signed

Highlights that considerable effort must be employed to obtain a signed agreement or document

not straightforward to approve

Implies that the approval process is complex or multifaceted

presents obstacles to signing

Focuses on obstacles and barriers that impede signing the agreement.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to sign" to describe agreements or contracts that are challenging to get approved. For example, "Due to budget constraints, it was "difficult to sign" the new contract."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to sign"?

Alternatives include "challenging to secure", "hard to get a signature on", or "not easy to finalize", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "difficult to sign" or "difficult signing"?

"Difficult to sign" is generally the correct form when referring to the act of signing something. "Difficult signing" might be used in a more specialized context, but "difficult to sign" is more widely understood.

What makes something "difficult to sign"?

Something can be "difficult to sign" due to various reasons, such as complex legal language, unfavorable terms, lack of budget, or disagreements between parties. The specific cause will depend on the situation.