has been particularly difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been particularly difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or experience that has been challenging or hard over a period of time. Example: "This year has been particularly difficult for many families due to the ongoing economic challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

But doing so has been particularly difficult.

The New York Times

Furniture, always a strong seller at the company, has been particularly difficult, Mr. Nelson said.

The New York Times

Not that it has been particularly difficult for the Brooklyn group to fend off the authorities.

The New York Times

But breaking free from the yoke of the gleefully promiscuous Samantha has been particularly difficult.

The Guardian

The issue of upgrading the military bases has been particularly difficult.

The New York Times

Argentina's financial crisis has been particularly difficult for Nextel's operations in that country.

The New York Times

But the development process of Mr. Ventura's program has been particularly difficult.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Mr. Mo says recent years have been particularly difficult for lawyers.

The New York Times

And then Eva explains why the past two years have been particularly difficult.

The Guardian - Opinion

The past few weeks have been particularly difficult for the team at Newsnight.

The Guardian

The Bookseller admitted that it had been particularly difficult to winnow entries down to a shortlist of six this year.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been particularly difficult" to accurately convey the significant level of challenge or complexity associated with a specific situation or task. It indicates a degree of difficulty exceeding what is typical or expected.

Common error

Avoid relying on "has been particularly difficult" as a generic descriptor for any problem. Ensure that the context genuinely warrants emphasizing the exceptional level of difficulty, rather than using it as a filler phrase. Be specific instead, and provide the aspects of the challenge that made it particularly so. For example, instead of saying "The project has been particularly difficult", detail that "The project has been difficult due to unforeseen technical limitations and resource constraints".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been particularly difficult" functions as a descriptor that emphasizes the level of challenge or complexity involved in a situation, task, or process. As per Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Its purpose is to highlight a degree of difficulty that exceeds typical expectations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been particularly difficult" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to emphasize that a situation, task, or process has been exceptionally challenging. Ludwig confirms its validity and offers several real-world examples. It functions as a descriptor that conveys a higher degree of difficulty than typical, and can be effectively used in formal, neutral, and professional contexts. While this phrase is helpful in emphasizing the magnitude of a challenge, be sure to be specific about which aspects were particularly problematic. Consider also using alternatives like "has proven especially challenging" or "has presented unique obstacles" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has proven especially challenging

Emphasizes the challenging nature of the situation as something that has been demonstrated or validated.

has presented unique obstacles

Focuses on the specific barriers or hurdles encountered.

has been notably arduous

Highlights the demanding effort and energy required.

has posed considerable hurdles

Stresses the presence of significant challenges to overcome.

has been a major struggle

Emphasizes the sustained effort and difficulty involved.

has required exceptional effort

Focuses on the need for an unusual amount of exertion.

has engendered significant complications

Highlights the complexity and problems that have arisen.

has involved substantial complexity

Underscores the intricate and elaborate nature of the situation.

has demanded extraordinary measures

Highlights the necessity of using atypical methods to address the difficulty.

has been an uphill battle

Illustrates the constant struggle and resistance encountered.

FAQs

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

This phrase is used to emphasize the degree of challenge in a situation. For example, "Integrating the new system "has been particularly difficult" due to legacy software incompatibilities."

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

You can use alternatives such as "has proven especially challenging", "has presented unique obstacles", or "has been notably arduous" depending on the specific context.

What makes "has been particularly difficult" different from "has been difficult"?

The word "particularly" emphasizes that the difficulty is more pronounced than usual. "Has been difficult" simply states that something was not easy, while ""has been particularly difficult"" suggests an exceptional level of challenge.

Is it appropriate to use "has been particularly difficult" in formal writing?

Yes, this phrase is suitable for formal writing. It is grammatically correct and conveys a clear and professional tone when emphasizing the complexity or demanding nature of a situation.