difficult to tailor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to tailor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is challenging to customize or adapt to specific needs or preferences. Example: "The software's rigid structure makes it difficult to tailor for individual user requirements."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

However, it is difficult to tailor the ideal dose for an individual patient.

Independent

But this might not be such a desirable outcome because it will be exceedingly difficult to tailor one that really fits.

The Economist

The UN system has also relied on legally binding agreements, which sound good in theory yet have proved difficult to tailor and adjust in light of the many different interests that must be reflected in any serious international pact to control emissions.

The Guardian

Safaris used to be largely group affairs, making it difficult to tailor them to each traveler's needs.

Forbes

"While they are a trademark of a made-to-wear suit, they make the jacket more costly and difficult to tailor," Fisher says.

Forbes

Hence, when water-soluble drugs are encapsulated with hydrophobic polymers, it may be difficult to tailor release profiles by controlling microsphere size.

Journal of Controlled Release

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

At present, it is difficult to tell which patients will develop this complication, making it hard to tailor treatment appropriately.

eLife

Fusibles — synthetic linings heat-bonded to the shell — are often the default solution for linen, silk, seersucker and other difficult-to-tailor fabrics in hot, humid climates.

The New York Times

In projects with high numbers of single sessions, especially those due to contextual reasons that are difficult to influence, tailored single-session counselling should be offered.

Conflict and Health

By 'complex intervention' we mean that there are many active components, which may combine to provide outcomes greater than a sum of its individual parts [ 11, 24]; that may involve complex mechanisms for delivery; may be difficult to replicate (tailored to individual); and may be influenced by the environment and social context.

BMC Health Services Research

Poor market oversight can also make life difficult for businesses trying to tailor their products and services to appropriate customer bases.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "difficult to tailor", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is proving challenging to customize. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to tailor" when a simpler adjustment or modification is all that's needed. Reserve the phrase for situations where substantial customization is required but proves challenging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to tailor" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive, modifying a noun and expressing the challenge associated with customizing or adapting something. As Ludwig indicates, this construction is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to tailor" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate the challenge of adapting or customizing something. According to Ludwig, its usage is considered correct. Its prevalence spans across scientific, news, and business contexts, with a neutral register suitable for diverse communications. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity about what requires tailoring and why it presents difficulties. Keep in mind that, if simpler adjustments suffice, less emphatic language may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to customize

Replaces "difficult" with "hard" and "tailor" with "customize", offering a more informal alternative.

challenging to adapt

Substitutes "difficult" with "challenging" and "tailor" with "adapt", providing a slightly more formal tone.

not easily adaptable

Uses a passive construction to express the difficulty in adapting something.

not readily modified

Similar to "not easily adaptable", but uses "modified" instead of "adaptable".

resistant to customization

Emphasizes the resistance of something to being customized.

inflexible in design

Focuses on the inflexibility of the design as the reason for the difficulty in tailoring.

unyielding to modification

Highlights the unyielding nature of something when it comes to modification.

presents tailoring challenges

Shifts the focus to the challenges involved in tailoring something.

customization is problematic

Emphasizes the problematic nature of customization in a specific context.

lacks adaptability

Highlights the lack of adaptability as the core issue.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult to tailor" to describe something that is challenging to customize or adapt to specific needs. For example, "The software's rigid structure makes it "difficult to tailor" for individual user requirements."

What are some alternatives to "difficult to tailor"?

Alternatives include phrases like "hard to customize", "challenging to adapt", or "not easily adaptable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "difficult to tailor"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that something requires significant modification to meet specific requirements, but that this modification presents substantial challenges. The challenge could stem from a rigid structure or inherent features that prevent easy customization.

What's the difference between ""difficult to tailor"" and "hard to adjust"?

"Difficult to tailor" implies a need for more extensive customization, often involving significant changes. "Hard to adjust" suggests smaller tweaks or modifications that are proving challenging to implement, but may not involve a fundamental restructuring.