hard to scale

USAGE SUMMARY

"hard to scale" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe a task, process, or project that will require a lot of effort or resources to complete or complete successfully on a larger scale. For example, "This new software is great, but will be hard to scale if our user base continues to grow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Tech

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

They are expensive and hard to scale up.

The Economist

That works on a benchtop but has proved hard to scale up.

The Economist

All three had lobbied hard to scale back the Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals (Reach) system.

The Guardian

"The local advertising business is hard to scale," said Sucharita Mulpuru, an analyst at Forrester Research, which follows the industry.

The New York Times

Right now, this is hard to scale to individuals: one person may like heavy metal for getting up in the morning, while someone else may prefer Coldplay.

The Guardian - Tech

"The barriers to entry are low, but it's hard to scale those games, come out with new games and iterate quickly," he says.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Hyper-local news is hard and difficult to scale and monetize.

TechCrunch

Content may be much harder to scale from one device to another.

The Guardian

Spending through the tax code has also proved harder to scale back than spending through the regular appropriations process.

The New York Times

It's a great way to keep profit in the family, yet it's harder to scale and build.

TechCrunch

However, we are learning that v-commerce is harder to scale and execute than we once thought.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hard to scale" to describe systems or technologies that encounter substantial obstacles when adapting to larger demands or user bases.

Common error

Avoid using "hard to scale" without providing specific reasons. Instead of stating "the project is hard to scale", explain why it's challenging, such as "the project is hard to scale due to limited resources and complex logistics".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to scale" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive, typically used to describe the difficulty associated with expanding or growing a particular system, process, or business model. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hard to scale" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the difficulty of expanding or replicating a system, process, or business model. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage across various contexts. The phrase is predominantly used in News & Media and Science, indicating its relevance in discussing business challenges and technical limitations. When using this phrase, ensure you provide specific reasons for the scaling difficulties to enhance clarity. Alternatives such as "difficult to expand" or "challenging to replicate" can be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not easily scalable

Emphasizes that the subject lacks inherent scalability.

scaling is problematic

Directly states that scaling poses problems.

difficult to expand

Focuses on the difficulty of expansion in size or scope.

scaling is tough

Uses a more informal word to express the difficulty in scaling.

faces scalability issues

Directly points out the problems related to scaling.

presents scaling challenges

Highlights the challenges that arise when attempting to scale.

challenging to replicate

Highlights the difficulties in creating a copy or version of the original.

scaling is arduous

Highlights the laborious effort required to scale.

expansion is limited

Highlights limitations of expansion.

growth is constrained

Emphasizes the limitations on growth when scaling.

FAQs

What does "hard to scale" mean?

The phrase "hard to scale" means that something is difficult to expand or grow in a cost-effective or efficient manner. It suggests there are significant challenges in replicating or increasing the capacity of a process, system, or business model.

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

You can use "hard to scale" in a sentence like, "The initial prototype was successful, but the technology is "hard to scale" due to its high energy consumption".

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

You can use alternatives like "difficult to expand", "challenging to replicate", or "not easily scalable" depending on the context.

What factors make something "hard to scale"?

Factors that make something "hard to scale" include high costs, complex logistics, technological limitations, regulatory hurdles, or a lack of resources. Successfully addressing these challenges is necessary for effective scaling.