difficulty of tracking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficulty of tracking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing challenges or obstacles related to monitoring or following something, such as data, progress, or behavior. Example: "The difficulty of tracking user engagement metrics has made it challenging for us to assess the effectiveness of our marketing strategies."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

That case highlighted the difficulty of tracking hackers.

The Guardian - Tech

This is partly due to the difficulty of tracking students through this data.

The Guardian

We thereby avoid the difficulty of tracking the interfaces in three dimensions.

Acta Materialia

But the difficulty of tracking the ball is not among the complaints typically made about tennis as a spectator sport.

The Economist

A Verizon spokesman, Daniel Diaz Zapata, said that the problems stemmed from vandalism and the difficulty of tracking the phones' condition.

The New York Times

The intensity of feelings in Washington about Saudi Arabia and the difficulty of tracking the flow of money mean that the issue will almost certainly remain contentious.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

The N.S.A. was being jarred by the difficulties of tracking terrorism, and by the rapid spread of unbreakable codes..

The New Yorker

The N.S.A. was being jarred by the difficulties of tracking terrorism, and by the rapid spread of unbreakable codes.

The New Yorker

The idea of creating an American version of MI-5 has gained support as the Bush administration, Congress and outside experts have all tried to grapple with the difficulties of tracking terrorists once they are inside the United States.

The New York Times

Concurrent with the announcement that human carbon emissions reached a new peak this year, Galen McKinley, a researcher at Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, discusses the difficulties of tracking the sources and destinations of carbon dioxide.

Columbia University

In the 1971 edition of her guidebook to Kabul, the American author Nancy Hatch Dupree bemoaned the difficulties of tracking the attractions of a city in which "change is rampant".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficulty of tracking", ensure that the noun being tracked is clearly defined and that the context provides relevant information about why tracking is difficult. This adds clarity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "difficulty of tracking" without specifying what makes it difficult. Provide specific reasons or context to enhance the reader's understanding and credibility. For example, instead of saying "The difficulty of tracking progress was evident", specify "The difficulty of tracking project progress was evident due to inconsistent data collection methods".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficulty of tracking" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies a problem or challenge related to monitoring or tracing something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correctly used to express obstacles in following or monitoring something, supported by numerous real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

59%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficulty of tracking" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe challenges in monitoring or tracing something. Grammatically correct and confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears frequently in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in science, news, and academic writing. To maximize clarity, always specify what is being tracked and the reasons for the difficulty. Alternatives like "challenge of monitoring" or "problem of tracing" can be used for variety. Remember to avoid overgeneralizations and provide specific details to enhance understanding and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenge of monitoring

Replaces "difficulty" with "challenge", focusing on the act of monitoring.

problem of tracing

Substitutes "difficulty" with "problem" and "tracking" with "tracing", emphasizing the issue in tracing something.

obstacle to monitoring

Emphasizes the hindrance aspect by using "obstacle" instead of "difficulty".

impediment to tracing

Highlights the restrictive nature using "impediment", denoting a barrier to tracing.

hardship in monitoring

Emphasizes the strenuous nature of monitoring by using "hardship".

complexities of tracing

Focuses on the intricate nature of tracing with "complexities".

issues in tracking

Uses a more general term, "issues", to refer to problems in tracking.

struggle to monitor

Highlights the effort involved in monitoring with "struggle".

inability to trace

Focuses on the lack of capability by using "inability".

toughness of monitoring

Emphasizes the demanding aspect of monitoring with "toughness".

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "difficulty of tracking"?

You can use alternatives such as "challenge of monitoring", "problem of tracing", or "obstacle to monitoring" depending on the context.

How can I use "difficulty of tracking" in a sentence?

Use "difficulty of tracking" when referring to challenges or obstacles encountered while monitoring or tracing something, such as data, progress, or individuals. For example: "The difficulty of tracking user engagement has hindered effective marketing analysis".

Is "difficulty of tracking" formal or informal?

"Difficulty of tracking" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's commonly used in academic papers, news articles, and business reports, as well as in general conversation.

What makes "difficulty of tracking" different from "difficulties of tracking"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "difficulty of tracking" refers to a general problem, whereas "difficulties of tracking" suggests multiple specific problems or instances of difficulty. The choice depends on whether you're referring to a singular or multifaceted challenge.