has been very difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "has been very difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation that has been particularly challenging or hard to handle. Example sentence: "The past year has been very difficult for me, as I had to juggle many different responsibilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It has been very difficult for everyone.

Independent

Germany has been very difficult.

The Guardian

"It has been very difficult for me.

The New York Times - Sports

"It has been very difficult for Burnley.

The Guardian

'My career has been very difficult.

The Guardian - Sport

His journey into the world has been very difficult.

The New York Times

It has been very difficult for our businesses and companies.

The Guardian

This issue has been very difficult for us".

The Guardian

All of that has been very difficult for her".

The New York Times

"It has been very difficult," she said by phone, her voice grave and quiet.

The New York Times

Well, I can tell you that it has been very difficult.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been very difficult", ensure the context clearly explains what specifically caused the difficulty, providing concrete examples or details to enhance understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "has been very difficult" as a standalone statement. Always provide context to explain what made something difficult. For example, instead of just saying "The project has been very difficult", specify "The project has been very difficult due to unforeseen technical challenges and resource limitations".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been very difficult" primarily functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state or condition of a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English, indicating a challenging situation or experience.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been very difficult" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, that serves to express a significant level of challenge or hardship. It's prevalent across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. To use it effectively, ensure you provide clear context to explain the cause of the difficulty. Remember that there are many semantically similar alternatives, like "has been quite challenging" or "has been really tough", that can offer subtle shifts in meaning or tone. Always contextualize the phrase with specific details to enhance understanding and avoid overuse without substance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been quite challenging

Emphasizes the challenging nature of something, softening the difficulty.

has been really tough

Uses a more informal and direct way to express difficulty.

has been exceptionally hard

Highlights the extreme level of difficulty encountered.

has presented significant hurdles

Focuses on the obstacles that have made something difficult.

has proven to be demanding

Highlights the rigorous requirements that made it difficult.

has been a struggle

Implies an ongoing effort against difficulty.

has involved considerable hardship

Emphasizes the negative conditions and suffering involved.

has been far from easy

Understates the difficulty, implying it was considerably challenging.

has not been a walk in the park

Uses an idiom to express that something was difficult.

has tested our resolve

Focuses on the difficulty impacting determination and commitment.

FAQs

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

Use "has been very difficult" to describe a situation, task, or period that presented significant challenges. For example, "The recovery process "has been very difficult" for her after the surgery."

What are some alternatives to saying "has been very difficult"?

You can use alternatives like "has been quite challenging", "has been really tough", or "has presented significant hurdles" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "has been very difficult"?

Yes, "has been very difficult" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules and is widely used in both formal and informal contexts.

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

"Has been difficult" indicates a general level of challenge, while ""has been very difficult"" implies a significantly higher degree of hardship or complexity.