difficult to track down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to track down" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something or someone that is hard to locate or find. Example: "The rare book was difficult to track down, but I finally found a copy online."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It is becoming very difficult to track down who is sending the spam.

The New York Times

An apparent corroborator, identified in the suit as Tiffany Doe, proved equally difficult to track down.

The Guardian

He avoided arrest because he was homeless and difficult to track down.

The Guardian

It leaves us with the impression that contemporary collage is difficult to track down, which is far from true.

The New York Times

However, extra training for today's emerging jobs can be difficult to track down, Ms. Segal of Civic Ventures said.

The New York Times

Trams and bus lines make getting around the city easy; taxis are reasonably affordable, if sometimes difficult to track down.

The New York Times - Travel

The people who run real estate investment trusts, or REITs, can sometimes be difficult to track down.

The New York Times

The city later had problems collecting some of the taxes because Disney operated through a separate business entity that was difficult to track down, he said.

The New York Times

There is no mechanism for ensuring trust, the quality of software is uneven, and it is difficult to track down bad actors.

The New York Times - Science

Police said, however, that the same company had shipped 140 containers since the beginning of 2013, thus making it difficult to track down smuggling.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Chopin's tomb is nestled on a hillside and often difficult to track down--but once you're on the right path it's hard to miss.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "difficult to track down", consider the context. If you are emphasizing the ongoing struggle, use "proving difficult to track down". If you want to be more emphatic, use the simile "like looking for a needle in a haystack".

Common error

While "difficult to track down" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your prose sound repetitive. Use synonyms like "elusive" or "obscure" for variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to track down" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something that is hard to locate or find. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult to track down" is a grammatically correct and very commonly used phrase to describe something that is hard to find or locate. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in various contexts, most notably in News & Media and Science. While the phrase is versatile, consider using synonyms like "hard to locate" or "elusive" in formal writing to avoid repetition. When writing, ensure clarity by defining what exactly is "difficult to track down". Remember that context influences the best choice of words, and varying your language can enhance your writing style. "Difficult to track down" conveys a challenge and is often used when describing obstacles in finding something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to locate

Uses a more formal synonym for 'find'.

proving difficult to find

Highlights the ongoing nature of the difficulty.

tough to find

Replaces 'difficult' with a more colloquial adjective.

challenging to locate

Emphasizes the level of difficulty involved in the search.

elusive

Uses a single word to convey the difficulty in finding something.

hard to pinpoint

Implies a need for precision in locating something.

not easily found

Uses a more descriptive and straightforward way to express the idea.

obscure

Suggests something is hidden or not well-known.

hidden from view

Focuses on the visual aspect of not being able to find something.

like looking for a needle in a haystack

A more emphatic way to indicate an overwhelming search task

FAQs

What does it mean to say something is "difficult to track down"?

Saying something is "difficult to track down" means it is hard to locate, find, or discover it, often requiring significant effort or resources.

What are some synonyms for "difficult to track down"?

Some synonyms for "difficult to track down" include "hard to locate", "challenging to locate", and "elusive", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "difficult to track down" in formal writing?

Yes, "difficult to track down" is generally acceptable in formal writing, but consider using more formal alternatives like "hard to locate" or "obscure" for increased sophistication.

How can I use "difficult to track down" in a sentence?

You can use "difficult to track down" to describe anything that is hard to find, such as "The source of the rumor was difficult to track down", or "The missing documents were difficult to track down".