is very difficult to find

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is very difficult to find" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that is hard to locate or obtain. Example: "The rare book you mentioned is very difficult to find in bookstores."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And it is very difficult to find people.

The New York Times - Sports

"It is very difficult to find the words after the race today.

The New York Times - Sports

Four-fifths of tenants say it is very difficult to find work in their area.

The Guardian

It is very difficult to find out what is going on.

The Guardian

Hilarious!' To have that currency across the nation is very difficult to find.

The Guardian - Film

It is very difficult to find a one size fits all solution," he said.

The New York Times

It is very difficult to find out exactly how the ISI define their lesson judgements.

The Guardian

In the hustle and bustle of Kampala, it is very difficult to find a place to relax.

The Guardian

It is very difficult to find a country in modern history that was systematically destroyed for as long as seventy-five years.

The New Yorker

When I asked the assistant who'd shown me to the conference room where Miyamoto was, he replied, "Mr. Miyamoto is the person who is very difficult to find.

The New Yorker

"In our country the numbers of men having sex with men are substantial, but it is very difficult to find them," Mr. Azad said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "is very difficult to find", ensure the context clearly indicates what efforts have been made to find the subject, or why it is inherently challenging to locate.

Common error

Avoid using "is very difficult to find" without providing context about the circumstances or specific challenges involved. Adding details about why it's hard to find enhances clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is very difficult to find" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, expressing the degree of difficulty in locating or obtaining something. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is widely applicable in various contexts to denote challenges in discovery.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is very difficult to find" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey the challenges in locating something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase sees frequent use across diverse domains, including news, science, and business. While versatile, context is key to ensure accurate and impactful communication. When writing, bear in mind that providing specific reasons or contextual details significantly enhances the phrase's effectiveness. While alternative expressions such as "is extremely hard to locate" or "is particularly challenging to discover" exist, "is very difficult to find" remains a reliably clear and widely understood option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is extremely hard to locate

Emphasizes the extreme difficulty in finding something.

is particularly challenging to discover

Highlights the challenge in discovering something, focusing on the process.

is notably elusive to obtain

Focuses on the elusiveness and difficulty in acquiring something.

is remarkably tough to unearth

Implies that finding something is a difficult excavation or uncovering.

is exceptionally problematic to secure

Stresses the problems associated with securing something.

is unusually complicated to track down

Highlights the complexity and difficulty in tracking something down.

is unusually rare to come across

Indicates something is scarce and not often encountered.

is almost impossible to detect

Suggests near impossibility in detecting something.

is seriously difficult to pinpoint

Focuses on the great difficulty in precisely identifying or locating something.

proves exceptionally difficult to locate

Uses 'proves' to emphasize the actual demonstrated difficulty.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "is very difficult to find" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "proves exceptionally difficult to locate", "is particularly challenging to discover", or "is notably elusive to obtain".

What are some common reasons why something "is very difficult to find"?

The reasons can vary widely, including scarcity, being technically untraceable (like some hacker attacks), being well-hidden, or lacking sufficient information to locate it. For instance, "Since it is technically untraceable, it is very difficult to find the source and identify the hacker."

Is "is very difficult to find" an overused phrase?

While "is very difficult to find" is common, its appropriateness depends on the context. If it accurately reflects a significant challenge, it's suitable. However, consider alternatives like "is extremely hard to locate" or "is remarkably tough to unearth" for variety.

How does the context affect the choice of using "is very difficult to find"?

The context determines the most appropriate phrasing. In formal or technical contexts, more precise language might be preferred. In casual settings, "is very difficult to find" is generally acceptable. Also, consider if you are talking about physical objects, information, or abstract concepts, as this can further refine your word choice.