is making it increasingly difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is making it increasingly difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something is becoming more challenging over time. Example: "The lack of resources is making it increasingly difficult for the team to meet their deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

But with each dominant performance, Chris Long is making it increasingly difficult to be overlooked.

The New York Times - Sports

The report says that Israel is making it increasingly difficult for Palestinians to travel between East Jerusalem and the West Bank.

The New York Times

He added: "So many of our leading jobs are based in London, yet the current housing situation is making it increasingly difficult for graduates from less advantaged homes to move here".

Independent

With deft footwork and lightning-quick hands, the 36-year-old Mayweather is making it increasingly difficult to envision that his fighting career is anywhere near a finish line.

The New York Times - Sports

These so-called distressed sales helped depress home values across the country, feeding into a downdraft that is making it increasingly difficult for many Americans to sell their homes for more than they paid.

The New York Times

Lucy A. Dalglish, the executive director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, portrayed the scrutinizing of Mr. Risen as part of a crackdown on leaking that is making it increasingly difficult to report on security and intelligence matters.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The gradually imposing dementia, rare for this disease, was making it increasingly difficult to have a complex discussion.

The Washington Post

At the end of the 1990s, the pressures of the economic boom were making it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain faculty and staff.

Stanford University

Still, the lack of government support is one of several problems that are making it increasingly difficult for Save Ellis Island to stay afloat.

The New York Times - Arts

Paradoxically, even as Woods drove up the earnings of journeymen like Jay Williamson, he was making it increasingly difficult for them to compete on the tour.

The New York Times - Magazine

She says the food shortages are making it increasingly difficult for her to manage the condition and she's stopped taking her ARVs regularly.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "is making it increasingly difficult", ensure that the subject causing the difficulty is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "The situation is making it increasingly difficult", specify "The lack of funding is making it increasingly difficult".

Common error

Avoid using "is making it increasingly difficult" multiple times in a single paragraph or short piece of writing. Vary your language to maintain reader engagement. Overuse can make your writing seem repetitive and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is making it increasingly difficult" functions as a verbal phrase indicating that a particular action or circumstance is causing a gradual increase in the level of difficulty associated with something. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

22%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is making it increasingly difficult" is a versatile expression used to convey that a situation or action is causing a gradual increase in difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. It finds common use in news, scientific and academic writing, while maintaining a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the subject causing the difficulty and avoid overuse in close proximity. Semantically related alternatives include "is becoming increasingly challenging" and "is posing greater difficulties". Frequent authoritative sources are The New York Times, The Guardian, and Los Angeles Times. In summary, "is making it increasingly difficult" is a valuable tool for expressing escalating challenges, provided it is used judiciously and with clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is becoming increasingly challenging

Replaces "making it increasingly difficult" with "becoming increasingly challenging", focusing on the process of becoming more difficult.

is posing greater difficulties

Shifts the focus to the difficulties being posed rather than the act of making something difficult.

is presenting escalating challenges

Emphasizes the escalating nature of the challenges.

is contributing to greater obstacles

Highlights the contribution to obstacles rather than directly stating increasing difficulty.

is leading to heightened complications

Focuses on the resulting complications.

is causing growing problems

Highlights the causation of growing problems.

is resulting in tougher circumstances

Focuses on the tougher circumstances as a result.

is generating more demanding situations

Shifts the focus to the generation of demanding situations.

is exacerbating existing hardships

Emphasizes the worsening of existing hardships.

is intensifying the struggle

Focuses on the intensification of the struggle or effort.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "is making it increasingly difficult" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "is rendering it more challenging" or "is complicating matters further" depending on the specific context.

What are some common situations where people use "is making it increasingly difficult"?

This phrase is commonly used when discussing challenges in business, politics, sports, or personal situations where progress or success is being hindered by a specific factor.

Is there a difference between "is making it increasingly difficult" and "is making it difficult"?

Yes, "is making it increasingly difficult" implies that the situation is not only challenging but is becoming more so over time. "Is making it difficult" simply states that something is currently challenging without the added sense of progression.

Can you provide an example of how to use "is making it increasingly difficult" in a sentence?

A sentence using "is making it increasingly difficult" could be: "The constant changes in regulations "is making it increasingly difficult" for small businesses to operate effectively."