is difficult to locate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is difficult to locate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is hard to find or identify, whether it's a physical object, information, or a concept. Example: "The rare book is difficult to locate in libraries across the country."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

However, it is difficult to locate the crack directly from the curve of natural frequencies.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Thus, it is difficult to locate stands along a successional trajectory.

Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics

Indeed, it is difficult to locate a Republican who is quite as sunny about Iraq's future as Joe Lieberman is.

The New Yorker

Here the film is enigmatic, and it is difficult to locate the morality and meaning to which Requiem for a Dream appears to be gesturing.

The Guardian - Film

Slow slip in some subduction zones is associated with non-volcanic tremor, but tremor is difficult to locate and may be distributed over a broad depth range.

Stanford University

Looking at today's Russia, that post-racial idealism is difficult to locate – judging by recent reports of football racism and a Duma MP's comparisons of Barack Obama to a monkey.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

"She was difficult to locate".

The New York Times

Many spammers are difficult to locate and to prosecute.

The Economist

"She has been difficult to locate and her assets have been impossible to locate," he said.

The New York Times

Theatergoers complained that the coupons were difficult to locate, but that was precisely the point.

The New York Times

The songs are short and uniformly excellent, so it's difficult to locate a focal point.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is difficult to locate", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the item or information hard to find. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid repetitive use of "is difficult to locate" in close proximity. Vary your language with synonyms like "is hard to find" or "presents a challenge to pinpoint" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is difficult to locate" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase followed by an infinitive. According to Ludwig, it expresses the difficulty or challenge associated with finding or identifying something. It's frequently used to highlight obstacles in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is difficult to locate" is a versatile phrase that expresses the challenge of finding or identifying something. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, particularly in science, news and media, and academic writing. While there are many alternative phrases that offer similar meanings, understanding the subtle differences can help tailor the phrase to the context. Remember to be specific about the cause of the difficulty and avoid overuse to maintain clarity and reader engagement. The phrase's neutral-to-formal register makes it appropriate for diverse writing scenarios, so choosing the best alternatives can improve the style of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is hard to find

Replaces "difficult" with "hard", offering a more straightforward synonym while keeping the core meaning intact.

is challenging to pinpoint

Substitutes "difficult" with "challenging" and "locate" with "pinpoint", highlighting the precision needed in the search.

is not easy to find

Emphasizes the lack of ease in finding something, using a more explicit negation.

is tough to locate

Replaces "difficult" with "tough", providing a more informal tone while retaining the meaning.

is problematic to identify

Focuses on the difficulties in identifying, rather than just locating, something.

presents a locating challenge

Shifts the sentence structure to emphasize the challenge itself, rather than the difficulty.

is obscure and hard to find

Adds the element of obscurity, suggesting the item is not well-known or easily accessible.

is elusively positioned

Uses "elusively" to convey the sense that the object avoids being found or captured.

defies easy location

Suggests a stronger resistance to being located, implying a significant obstacle.

is like searching for a needle in a haystack

Uses an idiom to highlight the extreme difficulty in finding something, implying a vast and disordered search space.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "is difficult to locate"?

You can use alternatives like "is hard to find", "is challenging to pinpoint", or "is not easy to find" depending on the context.

How can I use "is difficult to locate" in a sentence?

You can use "is difficult to locate" to describe something that is hard to find. For example: "The source of the problem is difficult to locate" or "The missing file is difficult to locate on the server".

Is there a difference between "is difficult to locate" and "is impossible to locate"?

Yes, "is difficult to locate" implies a challenge in finding something, while "is impossible to locate" suggests that it cannot be found at all. The former indicates a high level of difficulty, while the latter indicates a complete inability to find something.

What makes "is difficult to locate" different from "is hard to find"?

While similar, "is difficult to locate" can suggest a more technical or precise search, whereas "is hard to find" is generally more colloquial and can apply to a broader range of situations. The choice depends on the tone and context of your writing.