difficult to tolerate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to tolerate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is hard to endure or accept, often in relation to behavior, situations, or conditions. Example: "The constant noise from the construction site has become difficult to tolerate for the residents living nearby."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease (MAC-PD) is associated with substantial morbidity, and standard daily multidrug therapy is difficult to tolerate.

Stanford University

But their symptoms — abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea or constipation in IBS; and pain, nausea, and vomiting in functional dyspepsia — can be chronic and difficult to tolerate.

Harvard University

For many people with depression, however, ECT can be too difficult to tolerate due to side effects on memory and cognition.

Harvard University

"I think there are people who find it very difficult to tolerate time without using digital technologies like smartphones or other ways of connecting via the Internet," Potenza said.

The New Yorker

This study provides novel information about the cognitive associations that may underlie avoidant behavior in smokers, and may be important for understanding smoking relapse when negative affect states are particularly difficult to tolerate.

Addictive Behaviors

The Spanish government found it difficult to tolerate his independence; in March 1913 al-Raisūnī retired into a refuge in the mountains, where he remained until his capture 12 years later by another Moroccan leader, Abd el-Krim.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

- Hard to tolerate ambiguity.

HuffPost

It is a difficult thing to tolerate at a time when speed and efficiency rule.

The New York Times - Food

They are quick to take to you, even if you are the most difficult person to tolerate, they only have a mission to destroy you.

WikiHow

This does not make the tendon weak, but it does make it difficult for it to tolerate loads.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is much more difficult to learn to tolerate those with whom we disagree and who espouse ideas we find preposterous, repugnant, or even dangerous.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing medical treatments or conditions, use "difficult to tolerate" to convey the severity of side effects or symptoms without sounding overly dramatic.

Common error

While appropriate in formal and medical settings, avoid using "difficult to tolerate" in casual conversations; simpler phrases like "hard to handle" or "annoying" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to tolerate" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a quality of being hard to endure or accept. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult to tolerate" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe something that is hard to endure or accept. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct. It finds frequent application in academic, scientific, and news contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. While versatile, be mindful of the setting; in informal conversations, simpler alternatives may be preferable. When aiming for precision, consider related phrases such as "hard to bear" or "challenging to endure" to capture the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to bear

Emphasizes the emotional burden and unpleasantness of enduring something.

challenging to endure

Highlights the demanding nature of enduring a situation or condition.

hard to put up with

Indicates a struggle to accept or endure something.

hard to abide

Emphasizes a strong aversion or dislike, making it difficult to accept.

tough to withstand

Focuses on the strength required to resist or endure something.

scarcely endurable

Emphasizes the limited capability to endure something.

trying to put up with

Suggests an active effort to endure something unpleasant.

unpleasant to experience

Highlights the negative sensation or feeling associated with something.

not easy to stomach

Uses a metaphor to express the difficulty in accepting something.

difficult to stomach

Uses a metaphor to express the difficulty in accepting something.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is "difficult to tolerate"?

It means that something is hard to endure, withstand, or accept, often due to unpleasantness or adverse effects.

What are some synonyms for "difficult to tolerate"?

Alternatives include "hard to bear", "challenging to endure", or "hard to abide", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "difficult to tolerate" formal or informal language?

It leans towards formal, but is acceptable in neutral contexts. Simpler terms may be more suitable for very informal situations.

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

For example, "The side effects of the medication were "difficult to tolerate", so the patient discontinued treatment."