getting more difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "getting more difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or task that is becoming increasingly challenging over time. Example: "As the project progressed, it became clear that the requirements were getting more difficult to meet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Tax evasion is getting more difficult.

The Economist

It's been getting more difficult".

The Guardian

"It's just getting more difficult to compete," he said.

The New York Times

It's getting more difficult to recognize addicts, he said.

The Guardian

"It's getting more difficult to afford this type of generosity," he said.

The New York Times

[C2.] Law Partnerships More Elusive Making partner at big law firms is getting more difficult.

The New York Times

If they stop investing, the provision of "affordable" housing starts getting more difficult.

The Guardian

Wenman said it was getting more difficult to hire and retain staff.

The Guardian

Or the fact that tracking it down was getting more difficult with each passing year.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is also getting more difficult to recruit young people to the profession.

The New York Times

In fact, with each passing day things seem to be getting more difficult.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure it's followed by a clear indication of what exactly is becoming more difficult. Vague statements can reduce the impact of your message.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive voice when using "getting more difficult". Instead of saying "The problem is getting more difficult to be solved", opt for "Solving the problem is getting more difficult" for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "getting more difficult" functions as a descriptive phrase indicating a progressive increase in the level of challenge or complexity associated with a particular task, situation, or process. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in a wide array of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "getting more difficult" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe situations that are becoming increasingly challenging. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, it's beneficial to specify what exactly is "getting more difficult" to enhance clarity and impact. Consider alternatives like "becoming increasingly challenging" or "growing increasingly complex" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

becoming increasingly challenging

Focuses on the increasing level of challenge involved.

growing increasingly complex

Highlights the growing complexity of the situation.

presenting greater challenges

Emphasizes the challenges that are emerging.

proving to be more arduous

Indicates the task is becoming more strenuous and demanding.

becoming harder to manage

Focuses on the difficulty in managing or controlling a situation.

turning into a greater struggle

Highlights the effort and difficulty involved.

posing more obstacles

Emphasizes the barriers that are appearing.

becoming increasingly problematic

Highlights emerging problems.

growing tougher to overcome

Focuses on the increasing toughness in overcoming something.

evolving into a greater test

Suggests the situation is becoming a more significant trial.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "getting more difficult"?

You can use alternatives like "becoming increasingly challenging", "growing increasingly complex", or "presenting greater challenges" depending on the context.

How to use "getting more difficult" in a sentence?

You can use "getting more difficult" to describe an action, event, or circumstance that's increasing in complexity or arduousness. For example, "Finding a job is getting more difficult", or "The climb was getting more difficult with each step".

Which is correct, "getting more difficult" or "becoming more difficult"?

Both "getting more difficult" and "becoming more difficult" are correct and often interchangeable. The choice often depends on the rhythm and flow of your writing.

What's the difference between "getting more difficult" and "becoming more complicated"?

"Getting more difficult" generally refers to an increase in the level of challenge, while "becoming more complicated" emphasizes an increase in complexity. While related, "difficult" focuses on the effort required, and "complicated" focuses on the number of parts or steps involved.