hard to arrest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard to arrest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or individual that is difficult to apprehend or capture, often in a law enforcement context. Example: "The suspect was known for his evasive tactics, making him hard to arrest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Yet the blight is hard to arrest.

The New York Times

It is hard to arrest people on bikes.

The New York Times

Once begun, the fall might be hard to arrest".

The New Yorker

Anyway, it would be hard to arrest, let alone prosecute, someone for staring.

The New Yorker

"They have come to recognize that if you underdo it, it can be expensive, and if you let the momentum build against you, it's hard to arrest".

The New York Times

Even with elections now planned for Tunisia, the rise of Islamist extremism may prove hard to arrest given the momentum it has achieved.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Eventually, this could lift the CDU's poll numbers and put conservatives into a better mood.The FDP's downward spiral may be harder to arrest.

The Economist

Usually "it's a lot harder to arrest or punish people who are part of the police," Andrew pointed out.

Vice

In a searing editorial Monday, the Dhaka Tribune called on authorities to work harder to arrest and prosecute the killers, who frequently attack in broad daylight, in front of witnesses.

Los Angeles Times

"So I got to the demonstration and a bunch of protesters are there all wearing the same colored clothes — mostly women, but some men — and these guys were handing out free veg sandwiches and books, and they were really toning down the mood, and making it hard to get arrested.

The New Yorker

And because they're cops, one would assume it's pretty hard to get arrested for it.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hard to arrest", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is posing the difficulty. Provide specific reasons or factors contributing to this difficulty for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "hard to arrest" as a vague descriptor. Instead of saying "The situation was hard to arrest", specify what aspects of the situation made it difficult to control or resolve.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to arrest" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive, modifying a noun (explicit or implied) to indicate the difficulty in performing the action of arresting. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hard to arrest" is a grammatically correct and understandable construction used to express difficulty in apprehending someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts, indicating its relevance in discussions related to law enforcement and challenges in capturing individuals or entities. While "difficult to apprehend" and "challenging to capture" serve as good alternatives, ensuring contextual clarity is crucial for effective communication. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to apprehend

Focuses specifically on the challenge of capturing someone.

challenging to capture

Emphasizes the difficulty involved in the act of capturing.

tough to detain

Highlights the obstacle in holding someone in custody.

not easy to seize

Underlines the complexity of taking someone into possession.

it's an uphill battle to arrest

Implies a prolonged and strenuous effort to make an arrest.

it is problematic to arrest

Highlights ethical considerations when making an arrest.

faces obstacles to be arrested

Suggests that there are significant impediments hindering the person's arrest.

posing difficulties to arrest

Emphasizes the challenges in arresting someone, rather than the impossibility.

presents obstacles for arrest

Emphasizes the challenges in arresting someone, rather than the impossibility.

it's a struggle to arrest

Highlights that making an arrest require much resources.

FAQs

How to use "hard to arrest" in a sentence?

You can use "hard to arrest" to describe someone or something that is difficult to capture or control, such as, "The suspect's agility made him "hard to arrest"".

What can I say instead of "hard to arrest"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult to apprehend", "challenging to capture", or "tough to detain" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "hard to arrest" or "harder to arrest"?

"Hard to arrest" indicates a general difficulty, while "harder to arrest" implies a comparative increase in difficulty compared to a previous state or another subject.

What's the difference between "hard to arrest" and "difficult to arrest"?

While both phrases are similar, "difficult to arrest" might sound slightly more formal, whereas "hard to arrest" is more commonly used in everyday language.