getting really difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "getting really difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation or task that is becoming increasingly challenging or hard to manage. Example: "As the project progressed, the requirements started getting really difficult to meet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"And it's getting really difficult for people to bring what they do here: visas, borders, immigration".

The Guardian - Music

"In the current financial climate, it is getting really difficult [to keep players]," said Tandy.

BBC

But there are so many exes in her past, it's getting really difficult to keep track. .

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Then, without his front teeth, things got really difficult.

The Guardian - Film

There are not many similarities between Chinese and European vocabulary, but where it gets really difficult is the writing system.

The Guardian

You are working to protect children, and you will remind yourself of that when your job gets really difficult.

The New Yorker

When Kaupthing was nationalised in October, things started to get really difficult for Ronnie and his suspension and eventual dismissal resulted from the discovery he was no longer in control of his shareholding.

The Guardian - Business

In the worst periods of migraine suffering — in particular during the making of the record "A Ghost Is Born" —the cycle of pain and pain relief and pain killer abuse got really difficult to dig out of.

The New York Times

"I think as far as coloured actors go it gets really difficult in the UK, and a lot of my friends have had more opportunities here [in the US] than in the UK and that's something that needs to change," the Sherlock star said on US talk show Tavis Smiley.

Independent

Speaking to US talk show host Tavis Smiley last week,  he said: "I think as far as coloured actors go it gets really difficult in the UK, and a lot of my friends have had more opportunities here (in the US) than in the UK, and that's something that needs to change".

Independent

Beyond the top four is where it gets really difficult.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "getting really difficult", consider the specific aspect of difficulty you want to emphasize (e.g., complexity, manageability, etc.) and choose synonyms accordingly for greater precision.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "really" in your writing. While "getting really difficult" is acceptable, excessively relying on "really" can weaken your message. Strive for stronger, more descriptive language instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "getting really difficult" functions primarily as a descriptive expression, indicating a change in state towards increased challenge or complexity. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is considered correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "getting really difficult" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to describe a situation that is becoming increasingly challenging. While Ludwig confirms its usability, it's important to consider the context and audience when choosing this phrase. In more formal settings, opting for alternatives with greater precision may be preferable. The phrase finds frequent use in news and media, and science contexts, reflecting its broad applicability in describing evolving challenges.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

becoming increasingly challenging

Emphasizes the increasing nature of the challenge.

becoming extremely hard

Replaces "difficult" with "hard" and "really" with "extremely" for emphasis.

growing increasingly complex

Focuses on the aspect of complexity rather than pure difficulty.

turning into a major challenge

Highlights the transformation into a significant obstacle.

posing significant challenges

Shifts the focus to the challenges being presented.

presenting major obstacles

Emphasizes the obstructive nature of the difficulty.

reaching an impasse

Suggests a point where progress is significantly hindered or impossible.

approaching an unmanageable state

Indicates a situation that is nearing the point of being impossible to handle.

escalating into a crisis

Implies a situation rapidly worsening and becoming a critical problem.

becoming a serious struggle

Highlights the effort and conflict involved in dealing with the difficulty.

FAQs

What does "getting really difficult" mean?

The phrase "getting really difficult" means something is becoming increasingly challenging or hard to deal with. It implies a situation is evolving to a more problematic state.

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

You can use alternatives like "becoming increasingly challenging", "growing increasingly complex", or "turning into a major challenge" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "getting really difficult"?

Yes, "getting really difficult" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English. It's a standard way to express increasing difficulty.

How formal is the phrase "getting really difficult"?

The phrase "getting really difficult" is relatively informal. In more formal contexts, you might prefer alternatives like "becoming increasingly challenging" or describing specific obstacles.