is very difficult to do

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is very difficult to do" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a task or action that requires significant effort or skill to accomplish. Example: "Learning a new language is very difficult to do, especially for adults who have busy schedules."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is very difficult to do both".

The New York Times - Tech

Forgoing preservatives, Ulukaya said, "is very difficult to do.

The New Yorker

"John Kerry is very difficult to do," he said.

The New Yorker

"This is very difficult to do, but the perspective you gain is amazing.

The New York Times - Science

"She used to grow lilies from seeds, which is very difficult to do apparently.

The New York Times

"Death is always nothing in theatre — it is very difficult to do," he said.

The New Yorker

"But it is very difficult to do a 'surgical strike' here and just hit the Americans".

The New York Times

"It is very difficult to do anything about it," said Mr. Joergensen of Europol.

The New York Times

But such a move "is very difficult to do at a time like this," he said.

The New York Times

"It is very difficult to do both voice and the Internet, so we just do Internet".

The New York Times

"It is very difficult to do a proper inspection when your time is limited," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience when using "is very difficult to do". In more formal settings, alternatives like "presents a significant challenge" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "is very difficult to do" as a blanket statement. If something is only moderately challenging, use a less emphatic phrase like "is somewhat challenging" to maintain accuracy and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is very difficult to do" functions as a subject complement, describing the characteristic or quality of a subject. It often modifies an action or task, indicating the level of effort or skill needed. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is very difficult to do" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys a high level of challenge associated with a task. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. While versatile across different contexts, from News & Media to Science, it's essential to consider more formal alternatives for specific professional settings. When using this phrase, specificity about the reasons behind the difficulty will enhance its impact and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is particularly challenging

Emphasizes the high degree of difficulty.

presents a significant challenge

Replaces the direct assessment of difficulty with a more formal acknowledgment of a challenge.

is exceptionally hard to accomplish

Uses stronger synonyms to convey the extreme difficulty.

is no easy task

Uses a more informal and concise way to express that something is difficult.

is fraught with difficulties

Highlights the presence of multiple difficulties.

requires considerable effort

Focuses on the effort required rather than directly stating the difficulty.

is a demanding undertaking

Frames the action as a demanding project or task.

poses major obstacles

Indicates that the action faces significant barriers.

is easier said than done

An idiom indicating that something seems simple but is actually difficult.

is quite a hurdle

Uses a metaphorical expression to describe the difficulty as an obstacle to overcome.

FAQs

What does "is very difficult to do" mean?

The phrase "is very difficult to do" means that a task or action requires significant effort, skill, or resources to accomplish successfully.

What can I say instead of "is very difficult to do"?

You can use alternatives like "presents a significant challenge", "is particularly challenging", or "is no easy task" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is very difficult to be done" instead of "is very difficult to do"?

While "is very difficult to be done" isn't grammatically incorrect, "is very difficult to do" is the more common and natural phrasing. The former can sound awkward or overly formal in most contexts.

How can I make the phrase "is very difficult to do" more impactful?

To make the phrase more impactful, provide specific reasons why something is difficult. For example, instead of saying "solving this problem is very difficult to do", say "solving this problem is very difficult to do due to the lack of available data and computational resources".