has been difficult since

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been difficult since" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a situation has been challenging from a specific point in time up to the present. Example: "The project has been difficult since the unexpected changes in requirements were introduced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

It has been difficult since Mubarak left.

The Guardian - Books

But this has been difficult since Argentina defaulted in 2002.Yet if the government was just in search of cash, the timing is odd.

The Economist

I try to buy as cheaply as I can, which has been difficult since the recession – the prices of food and drink seem to have gone up.

Independent

Trading has been difficult since the first half of last year when it sold an Edward VIII coin for a record £516,000.

The Guardian - Business

Cutting those fees has been difficult, since many investors are loth to part with familiar, time-tested benchmarks.The only way to break the leading indexers' hold is for a fund with an even stronger brand to jettison them.

The Economist

In the earlier novel, Ames frets over Jack (now in his forties), who has been difficult since he was a schoolboy: there has been petty theft, drifting, unemployment, alcoholism, and an illegitimate child, now deceased, with a local woman.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

It has been difficult [since he got the job permanently] because it has been hectic and the number of the games means we have not been able to have too much instruction to the boys in training.

BBC

Determining the type of headache Patient A has is difficult since the diagnostic criteria of both PM and PTTH are met according to ICHD-3 beta.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Jim Diment, 54, a market trader, said business had been difficult since the latest poisonings.

The Guardian

Relations between the Mr. Maier's family and his former mentor, Mr. Peretz, have been difficult since publication.

The New York Times - Style

And he said that providing 1998 pro forma figures for the Simon & Schuster unit would have been difficult since its former owner, Viacom, treated costs in a different way than Pearson.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been difficult since", ensure the timeframe you're referencing is clear and directly relevant to the difficulty being described. This provides context and strengthens your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "has been difficult since" without a specific point of reference. If the 'since' is vague, the sentence loses clarity and impact. Always specify the event or time that marks the beginning of the difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been difficult since" functions as a connector and a descriptive phrase, indicating that a challenging situation or condition began at a specific point in the past and continues to the present. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been difficult since" is a grammatically correct and useful phrase for describing ongoing challenges that began at a specific point in time, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is most frequently found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While the phrase is considered correct, as stated by Ludwig AI, clarity in specifying the timeframe following 'since' is crucial for effective communication. Consider alternatives like ""has been challenging since"" or ""has presented challenges since"" to add nuance. The phrase's authority is backed by its presence in reputable sources like The Guardian and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been challenging since

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging", conveying a slightly less negative tone.

has presented challenges since

Replaces "difficult" with "presented challenges", maintaining the sense of a problematic situation.

has been a struggle since

Substitutes "difficult" with "a struggle", emphasizing the effort required to overcome the situation.

has proven problematic since

Uses "proven problematic" instead of "been difficult", highlighting that issues have emerged over time.

has been complicated since

Substitutes "difficult" with "complicated", highlighting the complexity of the situation.

has been tough since

Substitutes "difficult" with "tough", offering a more informal way to describe the situation.

has not been easy since

Expresses the difficulty by stating that it "has not been easy", providing a more conversational tone.

things have been hard since

Offers a more general and informal way to describe the difficulty experienced.

has been arduous since

Replaces "difficult" with "arduous", indicating a situation that is strenuous and requires significant effort.

has deteriorated since

Indicates a decline or worsening of the situation since a specific time.

FAQs

How can I use "has been difficult since" in a sentence?

Use "has been difficult since" to describe a situation that became challenging at a specific point in time. For example, "The project "has been difficult since" the budget cuts were announced".

What are some alternatives to "has been difficult since"?

Alternatives include "has been challenging since", "has presented challenges since", or "has been a struggle since". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "has been difficult since" or "has been hard since"?

"Has been difficult since" is generally more formal and precise, while "has been hard since" is more informal. Choose based on your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "has been difficult since" and "was difficult"?

"Has been difficult since" implies the difficulty continues to the present, whereas "was difficult" refers to a difficulty that occurred in the past and may or may not still be ongoing.