has proven difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

'has proven difficult' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
Example Sentence: Finding a solution to this problem has proven difficult.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Challenging the sites legally has proven difficult.

The New York Times

Fighting City Hall, however, has proven difficult.

The New York Times

Finding money for new deals has proven difficult.

The New York Times

But her popularity has proven difficult to transfer.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, privatizing postal agencies, has proven difficult in many of the countries that have tried it.

The New York Times

Producing cells capable of storing more energy safely and reliably has proven difficult.

The Guardian - Tech

Fashioning a defense against the golf ball attacks has proven difficult.

The New York Times

But even in the era of modern astronomy, getting an accurate tally has proven difficult.

The Guardian

But BlackBerry has proven difficult.

TechCrunch

However, spectroscopic evidence has proven difficult to obtain.

Catalysis Today

But finding nascent massive stars has proven difficult.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has proven difficult", ensure the subject of the sentence clearly identifies what specific task, process, or goal has presented challenges. Clarity is key to conveying the precise nature of the difficulty encountered.

Common error

Avoid using "has proven difficult" as a generic statement without providing specific details about the context. Instead of saying 'The project has proven difficult', specify what aspects of the project have been challenging to give your audience a clearer understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has proven difficult" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the subject's characteristic of being challenging or problematic. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage, supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has proven difficult" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe something that has presented challenges over time. It is frequently found in news, science, and formal business contexts, indicating its suitability for professional communication. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what aspects have been challenging, avoiding generic statements. Consider alternatives like ""has been challenging"" or ""has presented difficulties"" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has turned out to be challenging

Focuses on the result of an action being more complex than initially expected.

has presented challenges

Highlights the difficulties introduced by a particular situation or task.

has been a struggle

Emphasizes the effort and difficulty involved over a period of time.

has not been easy

States directly that something lacks ease, implying some degree of difficulty.

has posed an obstacle

Highlights a specific impediment that has arisen.

has met with resistance

Indicates opposition and difficulty in gaining acceptance or progress.

has required considerable effort

Stresses the substantial work needed to overcome the challenges.

has been an uphill battle

Implies a constant struggle against adversity, suggesting a prolonged effort.

has faced considerable hurdles

Highlights significant impediments that had to be confronted.

has proven to be no simple matter

Emphasizes that the subject is complicated and not easily resolved.

FAQs

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

You can use "has proven difficult" to describe a task, process, or situation that has presented challenges. For example: 'Integrating the new software "has proven difficult" due to compatibility issues'.

What are some alternatives to "has proven difficult"?

Alternatives include "has been challenging", "has presented difficulties", or "has not been easy". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "has proven difficult" formal or informal?

"Has proven difficult" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's commonly found in professional and academic writing.

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

"Has proven difficult" implies that the difficulty was discovered over a period of time or through experience, whereas "was difficult" simply states that something was challenging at a particular point in time. The former suggests an ongoing or evolving challenge.