has proved difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has proved difficult" is both correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation that has been challenging. For example, "Finding a solution to the problem has proved difficult."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even that has proved difficult.

The New York Times

The search has proved difficult.

The New York Times - Arts

Genocide has proved difficult to prosecute.

The New York Times

But gauging the noise has proved difficult.

The New York Times

But finding superbugs has proved difficult.

MIT Technology Review

But providing treatment has proved difficult.

The New York Times

Finding them in dictionaries has proved difficult.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But reaching an agreement has proved difficult.

The New York Times

Clarifying those photoprotection mechanisms experimentally has proved difficult.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

However, actually building a useful quantum computer has proved difficult.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But it has proved difficult to eliminate all the glitches.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has proved difficult" to describe situations where an expected outcome has not been easily achieved. It is particularly effective when highlighting unexpected challenges.

Common error

Don't use "has proved difficult" for trivial situations. Reserve it for cases where the challenge is significant or unexpected. Overusing it can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has proved difficult" functions as a verbal phrase indicating that an action, task, or situation has presented unexpected challenges or obstacles. According to Ludwig AI, the structure is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

34%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has proved difficult" serves to articulate unexpected challenges. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability, applicable across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. While versatile, it should be reserved for scenarios where the difficulty is genuinely noteworthy. Alternatives like "has been challenging" or "has been problematic" can provide nuanced variations, but "has proved difficult" remains a reliable and commonly employed expression for conveying unexpected impediments. With a high expert rating and frequent usage, mastering this phrase enhances clarity and precision in both writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been challenging

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the difficulty.

has been problematic

Highlights that something has caused problems.

has been tough

Indicates a situation requiring strength and resilience.

has been arduous

Stresses the demanding and tiring aspect of the task.

has been complex

Focuses on the intricate and multifaceted nature of the difficulty.

has been tricky

Suggests the need for careful handling and precision.

has been troublesome

Emphasizes the annoyance or inconvenience caused.

has been awkward

Highlights the uncomfortable or embarrassing nature of the situation.

has been elusive

Indicates the difficulty in finding or achieving something.

has been laborious

Stresses the effort and time required.

FAQs

What does "has proved difficult" mean?

The phrase "has proved difficult" means that something has turned out to be more challenging than initially expected.

How can I use "has proved difficult" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a task or situation that presented unforeseen challenges, such as, "Implementing the new software "has proved difficult" due to compatibility issues."

Which is correct, "has proved difficult" or "has proven difficult"?

Both "has proved difficult" and "has proven difficult" are grammatically correct. "Proved" is more common in British English, while "proven" is more common in American English.

What are some alternatives to "has proved difficult"?

Alternatives include phrases like "has been challenging", "has been problematic", or "has been tough", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.