ever more difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ever more difficult" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to signify that something is getting increasingly difficult. For example: "As the competition progresses, the tasks become ever more difficult."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Cricket's task becomes ever more difficult.

The Guardian - Sport

In baseball, throwing became ever more difficult.

The New York Times

She began grappling with new subjects, ever more difficult ones.

The New York Times

The drift to the extremes in the two parties, meanwhile, will make that ever more difficult.

The Economist

Technology and advanced industrial companies are having an ever more difficult in China.

The New York Times

In Killanin's view the Olympics have since been getting ever more difficult to manage.

The Economist

"The risks are building," the analysts added, "as the situation gets ever more difficult".

The New York Times

Otherwise, it will become ever more difficult to persuade the very best lawyers to become judges.

The Guardian

Over all, however, Mr. Magen feels integration is becoming ever more difficult.

The New York Times

Report recognises expanded choice makes combining profitability with meeting its PSB commitments ever more difficult.

The Guardian

It makes it ever more difficult to stay current on the mortgage".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ever more difficult" to describe a gradual increase in the level of difficulty of a task, situation, or concept. It adds emphasis to the continuous progression.

Common error

Avoid using "ever more difficult" when a simpler phrase like "more difficult" would suffice. Reserve it for situations where the increasing nature of the difficulty is a key aspect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ever more difficult" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying an adjective, indicating a continuous increase in the degree of difficulty. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it is a standard expression conveying a gradual worsening of a situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ever more difficult" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that describes a situation becoming increasingly challenging. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a standard phrase with clear meaning. It’s suitable for neutral and diverse contexts, including news and media, science and business. When using it, ensure the increasing nature of difficulty is a key aspect you want to highlight, and avoid overuse in simple cases where "more difficult" suffices. Consider synonyms like "increasingly challenging" or "progressively harder" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increasingly challenging

Emphasizes the challenge aspect, implying a test of one's abilities that grows over time.

progressively harder

Highlights the gradual increase in hardness or effort required.

becoming tougher

Suggests a strengthening of resistance or opposition, making something more difficult.

steadily complicating

Focuses on the addition of complexities that make something more difficult to understand or manage.

more and more demanding

Stresses the increasing requirements or expectations that make something more difficult.

growing increasingly complex

Highlights the increasing intricacy and interwoven elements, adding to difficulty.

bit by bit more problematic

Focuses on the gradual emergence of issues that cause difficulty.

gradually becoming unmanageable

Emphasizes the loss of control or ability to cope, making the situation more difficult.

escalating in complexity

Suggests a rapid increase in the elements that make something difficult.

compoundingly intricate

Implies that multiple layers of intricacies are piling up, intensifying difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "ever more difficult" in a sentence?

You can use "ever more difficult" to describe a situation that is becoming increasingly challenging. For example, "As technology advances, securing data becomes "ever more difficult"".

What are some alternatives to "ever more difficult"?

Some alternatives include "increasingly challenging", "progressively harder", or "becoming tougher", depending on the specific context.

Is "ever more difficult" grammatically correct?

Yes, "ever more difficult" is grammatically correct and widely used in written English. It effectively conveys a sense of continuously increasing difficulty.

What is the difference between "more difficult" and "ever more difficult"?

"More difficult" simply indicates a higher degree of difficulty, while ""ever more difficult"" emphasizes that the difficulty is continuously increasing over time.