difficult to surpass

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to surpass" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is challenging to exceed or outdo, often in terms of quality, performance, or achievement. Example: "The athlete's record was so impressive that it was deemed difficult to surpass by future competitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

In the annals of rags-to-riches success, it would be difficult to surpass the story of Fred William Hooper.

The New York Times - Sports

"It would be extremely difficult to surpass [Clinton] in pledged delegates, she has a 270-pledged delegate lead right now," Weaver said.

The Guardian

That opener encouraged me to curl up with the book, expecting a Styronesque memoir of illness (though "Darkness Visible" would be difficult to surpass).

The New York Times - Books

One appetizer, carpaccio de coquilles St.-Jacques (chopped sea-scallop carpaccio with artichokes, carrots julienne and droplets of balsamic and shallot vinaigrette), would be difficult to surpass.

The New York Times

Egg Dancing at Blists Hill 'There are a few contenders for the epithet 'cradle of the industrial revolution', but the World Heritage Site surrounding Ironbridge Gorge, in Shropshire, has a rich industrial heritage that is difficult to surpass,' says Richard.

Independent

Details: the next adventure day takes place on 8 April and costs £35 for adults and £25 for children (thecanoeman.com) 22. Egg Dancing at Blists Hill 'There are a few contenders for the epithet 'cradle of the industrial revolution', but the World Heritage Site surrounding Ironbridge Gorge, in Shropshire, has a rich industrial heritage that is difficult to surpass,' says Richard.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Size-wise, HangarBicocca is definitely hard to surpass.

The Economist

Judged by that standard, it would be difficult for Mr. Capellas to surpass his new job.

The New York Times

In their ninth studio album, it is difficult for the musicians to surpass themselves, or to convince a listener that they have anything left to prove.

The New Yorker

In their ninth studio album, it is difficult for the musicians to surpass themselves, or to convince a listener that they have anything left to… "Apocalypse, girl" explores the overlap of intimacy and unease.

The New Yorker

As a matter of fact, if placebo is effective in 60percentt of patients, it could be difficult for other treatments to surpass this mark.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing achievements or records, use "difficult to surpass" to highlight their outstanding nature and the challenge future individuals or entities face in exceeding them.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to surpass" when a simpler, more direct comparison is sufficient. For instance, instead of saying "This burger is difficult to surpass", consider "This burger is excellent" if the context doesn't require emphasizing the challenge of making a better one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to surpass" typically functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating the degree of challenge associated with exceeding a certain standard or achievement. As shown by Ludwig, it is used to describe things that are exceptional and not easily outdone.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

8%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to surpass" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe something challenging to exceed. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts. While not exceedingly common, it finds frequent use in news, media, and scientific publications. When aiming to convey that something sets a very high standard, "difficult to surpass" is a suitable choice, as long as simpler alternatives aren't more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to exceed

Focuses on the effort required to go beyond a certain limit or level.

challenging to outdo

Emphasizes the competitive aspect of exceeding a particular achievement.

tough to beat

Highlights the difficulty in overcoming a set standard or record.

unlikely to be exceeded

Suggests a low probability of surpassing a certain level or achievement.

nearly impossible to top

Implies that it is exceptionally difficult to achieve a higher level of quality or performance.

not easily outdone

Highlights the degree of difficulty in surpassing an achievement.

difficult to eclipse

Emphasizes the challenge in overshadowing or diminishing something else.

hard to outshine

Underscores the difficulty in surpassing something in terms of brilliance or excellence.

exceedingly difficult to exceed

Emphasizes the exceptional level of challenge in improving upon the achievement.

unmatched

Focuses on the idea that there is nothing that can be considered superior.

FAQs

What does "difficult to surpass" mean?

The phrase "difficult to surpass" means that something is challenging to exceed or outdo, often in terms of quality, performance, or achievement.

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

You can use "difficult to surpass" to describe a standard or accomplishment that is hard to beat. For example, "The athlete's record will be "difficult to surpass" for many years to come."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to surpass"?

Alternatives include "hard to beat", "challenging to outdo", or "tough to exceed" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "difficult to surpass" or "impossible to surpass"?

The choice depends on the context. "Difficult to surpass" suggests a high degree of challenge, while "impossible to surpass" implies it cannot be done at all. "Impossible to surpass" may be seen as hyperbole in many cases, when in reality there's still a chance.