difficult to survive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to survive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that poses significant challenges to survival. Example: "In the harsh climate of the Arctic, it is often difficult to survive without proper equipment and training."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's difficult to survive on that".

The New York Times

"In this country, it's difficult to survive.

The New York Times

"Without sponsors, it's difficult to survive," Mr. Bugan?aid.

The New York Times

"Without sponsors, it's difficult to survive," Mr. Bugané said.

The New York Times

'London would be difficult to survive in,' he says.

The Guardian

"You know how New York is: it's really difficult to survive here".

The New York Times

It was extremely difficult to survive on that wage in London.

The Guardian - Money

Some animals escaping monsoonal northern Australia will find it difficult to survive in drier inland areas.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's very difficult to survive on the salary you earn in the south," he explained.

The New York Times

It is very difficult to survive in F1, let alone thrive.

The Guardian - Sport

It's a lot of little things that make it difficult to survive.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to survive", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes survival challenging (e.g., economic conditions, environmental factors). Be specific to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to survive" without specifying the reasons for the difficulty. For instance, instead of saying 'It's difficult to survive,' specify 'It's difficult to survive on minimum wage in this city'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to survive" typically functions as a predicate adjective phrase, modifying a subject and describing the challenges or hardships associated with continuing to live or exist. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult to survive" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that describes situations where existence is precarious or challenging. Ludwig's analysis reveals its frequent use in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, reflecting its broad applicability. It is important to specify what makes survival difficult to avoid overgeneralization and enhance clarity. Alternatives like "hard to stay alive" or "a struggle to subsist" can be used depending on the specific nuances you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to stay alive

This alternative focuses on the basic act of staying alive, emphasizing the struggle for survival.

a struggle to subsist

Focuses on the effort required to obtain the basic necessities of life.

challenging to remain viable

This phrase highlights the difficulty in maintaining viability, often used in business or ecological contexts.

precarious existence

This option describes a state of existence that is uncertain and potentially dangerous.

hard to scrape by

Suggests extreme difficulty in managing to live on very little.

tough to make it

This alternative employs a more informal tone, suggesting that success or continuation is arduous.

an uphill battle for survival

This is an idiomatic expression that emphasizes the continuous effort required to survive.

tenuous grip on life

This describes a situation where life is fragile and easily lost.

faces an existential threat

Describes a situation where survival is fundamentally at risk.

under threat of extinction

This suggests a danger of complete disappearance, often used for species or cultural entities.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to survive" to describe situations where living or operating is challenging due to specific conditions. For example, "It is "difficult to survive" in the desert without water", or "Small businesses find it "difficult to survive" in a recession".

What are some alternatives to "difficult to survive"?

Alternatives include phrases like "hard to stay alive", "challenging to remain viable", or "a struggle to subsist", depending on the specific context.

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

Both "difficult to survive" and "hard to survive" are grammatically correct and widely understood. "Difficult" is slightly more formal, while "hard" is more informal. The choice depends on the tone you want to convey.

What makes something "difficult to survive"?

Something is "difficult to survive" when conditions are harsh or challenging, whether due to a lack of resources, intense competition, or adverse environmental factors. Examples include living in poverty, facing a terminal illness, or operating a business in a saturated market.