hard to modify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard to modify" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is difficult to change or alter, such as a document, design, or system. Example: "The software's code is hard to modify, making it challenging for developers to implement new features."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"One of the things that we found was that, in general, it's hard to modify those clouds," he said.

The Guardian

It is notoriously hard to modify the equations of general relativity without damaging the theory beyond repair.

The Economist

A common link among these employees is that they all disclosed the condition to their employers, got some reasonable accommodations and worked hard to modify challenging behaviors.

The New York Times

It looks like a structure that it would be hard to modify or add to, which is the almost invariable fate of station buildings.

The Guardian - Arts

There is always the possibility that we don't understand gravity and cosmology as well as we think we do, but it is very hard to modify gravity in a way that describes all the data.

The Guardian

The existing laws of gravity predict the motions of the planets extremely well, making it hard to modify them to cater to the errant ways of a couple of pesky space probes.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Intense dealmaking at the top of government makes it harder to modify measures once agreement has been reached.

The Economist

Moreover, the typical troubled mortgage is getting harder to modify because it is more likely to be the result of unemployment than an interest-rate increase.

The Economist

The next version of the iPhone is expected to veer away from the square shape of the 4 and 4S, which could make it harder to modify.

The New York Times

And in an unusual twist, the process of packaging and reselling home loans to investors — known as securitization, which has provided much of the cash that fueled subprime lending — has also made it harder to modify debts that go bad.

The New York Times

But borrower advocates who work with a broad array of lenders say that none make it harder to modify loans than Countrywide, the nation's largest mortgage originator and loan servicer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hard to modify", consider the specific aspect that makes it difficult to change. Be precise about whether it's the design, code, or underlying principles that pose the challenge.

Common error

Avoid using "hard to modify" without specifying what aspect is difficult to change. For instance, instead of saying "The system is hard to modify", clarify it as "The system's core architecture is hard to modify without affecting performance."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to modify" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and describes the difficulty associated with altering something. It qualifies a noun by expressing the degree of effort or complexity involved in making changes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hard to modify" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate the difficulty in changing something. Ludwig's analysis confirms its validity, and the phrase's versatility is evident across various contexts, including news, science, and general discussions. When employing this phrase, clarity is key: specify what aspect is challenging to modify. While numerous alternatives exist, such as "difficult to alter" or "challenging to adapt", the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to alter

Emphasizes the difficulty in making changes, focusing on the action of altering something.

challenging to adapt

Highlights the demanding nature of adjusting something to fit new conditions.

not easily changed

Uses a more straightforward expression to convey the resistance to being changed.

resistant to modification

Formal phrasing stressing the inherent resistance to changes.

inflexible to adjust

Focuses on the lack of flexibility when trying to make adjustments.

tough to revise

Highlights the difficulty in revising or making corrections.

complex to transform

Indicates the complicated process of changing something into a different form.

unyielding to amendment

Formal and emphatic way of saying something resists being amended or improved.

cumbersome to tweak

Implies that even small adjustments are awkward and difficult.

intricate to reshape

Suggests a detailed and complicated process is needed to reshape something.

FAQs

What does "hard to modify" mean?

The phrase "hard to modify" means that something is difficult to change, alter, or adjust. It suggests that there are significant obstacles or challenges involved in making modifications.

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

You can use alternatives like "difficult to alter", "challenging to adapt", or "not easily changed" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "hard to modify" or "difficult to modify"?

Both "hard to modify" and "difficult to modify" are correct and largely interchangeable. "Difficult to modify" might be perceived as slightly more formal, but the choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

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

You can use "hard to modify" to describe anything that presents challenges when attempting to change it. For example, "The old code is "hard to modify" without introducing new bugs."