difficult to succeed

USAGE SUMMARY

'difficult to succeed' is correct and is a commonly used phrase in written English.
For instance, you could use it in a sentence such as, "It has been a difficult road to success, but I am determined to succeed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

I think it's so difficult to succeed today in business.

The New York Times

It's more difficult to succeed in a difficult situation than in a fantastic situation".

Independent

It's a fast-moving – a crazy world – it's difficult to succeed.

The Guardian

"They would find it incredibly difficult to succeed," Mr. Blumm, the parent coordinator, said in an interview.

The New York Times

Cycling is one of the most demanding sports featured during the Games, and one of the most difficult to succeed in.

The New York Times - Sports

As the Philadelphia Eagles proved last year, it is very difficult to succeed with a team that tries to accelerate the transition process.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

So it is a very difficult thing to succeed in the medical device business today.

Duke University

Recall elections are extremely difficult to win; only two had succeeded in the state in the last 80 years.

The New York Times

In Jordan, we met several INGOs who were quite clear that one reason why few agencies were supporting urban refugees were that they were very difficult to make succeed and that wouldn't look good to donors.

The Guardian

Is it more difficult for women to succeed in theatre than it is for men?

The Guardian

Indonesia's copyright laws may make it difficult for Cartier to succeed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to succeed", specify the area or context where success is challenging. For example, instead of just saying "It's difficult to succeed", say "It's difficult to succeed in this competitive market."

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to succeed" without providing context. Readers need to understand why something is difficult to succeed at. Be specific about the challenges and obstacles involved to improve clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to succeed" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying an implied subject, describing the level of challenge involved in achieving success. It is used to express the degree of difficulty in achieving a certain outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult to succeed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes the challenges involved in achieving success. Ludwig AI affirms that is a correct and commonly used phrase. As demonstrated by the numerous examples, its usage spans across various domains, including news, science, and business. When employing this phrase, it's important to provide context about the specific challenges to enhance clarity. Alternatives like "challenging to be successful" or "hard to achieve success" can offer subtle variations in tone and emphasis. Avoiding overgeneralization ensures that the phrase remains informative and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to achieve success

Replaces "succeed" with the more explicit "achieve success", emphasizing the accomplishment aspect.

challenging to be successful

Substitutes "difficult" with "challenging" and "succeed" with "be successful", suggesting a demanding but potentially rewarding situation.

tough to make it

Uses the colloquialism "make it" instead of "succeed", indicating a struggle to achieve a desired outcome.

an uphill battle

Employs a metaphor to convey the sense of facing significant obstacles in the pursuit of success.

not easy to prosper

Replaces "difficult" with "not easy" and "succeed" with "prosper", highlighting the financial or material aspect of success.

faces many obstacles to success

Shifts the focus to the presence of numerous obstacles hindering the path to success.

encounters significant hurdles

Emphasizes the presence of major hurdles that need to be overcome to achieve success.

struggles to attain success

Highlights the active struggle and effort required to reach a successful outcome.

experiences setbacks on the road to success

Focuses on the setbacks and challenges encountered while pursuing success, suggesting a non-linear path.

finds it an arduous task to triumph

Uses more formal language to convey the difficulty and demanding nature of achieving victory or success.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "difficult to succeed" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "challenging to be successful", "arduous to triumph", or "faces many obstacles to success".

What are some less formal alternatives to "difficult to succeed"?

Informal options include "tough to make it", "not easy to prosper", or simply "hard to achieve success".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "difficult to succeed"?

Use "difficult to succeed" when you want to emphasize the challenges and obstacles involved in achieving a particular goal or outcome. Ensure you provide context about why it's difficult.

Is there a difference between "difficult to succeed" and "impossible to succeed"?

Yes, "difficult to succeed" implies that success is possible but requires significant effort and overcoming challenges. "Impossible to succeed" indicates that success is not achievable under any circumstances.