it has become difficult for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has become difficult for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a change in circumstances that has made something challenging for a person or group. Example: "It has become difficult for many students to keep up with their studies due to the recent changes in the curriculum."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

But with Reyes set to return Monday, it has become difficult for Collins to imagine sending Tejada to the bench.

The New York Times - Sports

It has become difficult for Republicans to please both suburban soccer moms and up-country Christian Coalition members.

The New Yorker

It has become difficult for me to continue bearing the responsibility for decisions to which I do not agree, and I fear their consequences.

The New Yorker

The site is now so contaminated with radiation, experts say, that it has become difficult for employees to work near the reactors for extended periods of time.

The New York Times

Because America's engagement with Iran has focussed on the single, intractable issue of nuclear arms, it has become difficult for the Administration to make perceptible progress.

The New Yorker

In short, he said, the case for military action has moved so rapidly that it has become difficult for those counseling restraint.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Evonne M. Klein, Darien's first selectwoman, said it had become difficult for traffic and pedestrians to cross the road and that she was "delighted" by the vote.

The New York Times

What worsened the situation was that it had become difficult for them to borrow money from the community, as they believed it was not good for professional health workers to continuously ask for money from the community.

Human Resources for Health

Permission Marketing With thousands of colleges and universities bombarding high school juniors and seniors with mail, it has become difficult and expensive for messages to be heard.

The New York Times

Even before the earthquake and the inadequate aid allocations, however, Haiti was in a state of chaos, and in so many ways that it had become difficult, even for relief experts, to see how to fix it.

The New Yorker

And that it had become "difficult and dangerous for councils to clean up".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it has become difficult for", clearly specify who is experiencing the difficulty and what is causing it to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it has become difficult for" without specifying who or what is facing the difficulty. Always provide a clear subject to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has become difficult for" functions as an introductory clause that sets the stage for explaining a challenge or obstacle someone or something is facing. Ludwig confirms its correct usage. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it is used to express a change in circumstances that results in added difficulty.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it has become difficult for" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express that something has evolved into a challenge over time. Ludwig confirms its correct and varied usage across many contexts. Its prevalence in news, scientific, and formal writing highlights its versatility. While generally neutral in tone, using "it has become difficult for" benefits from a specific subject to ensure clarity. Consider rephrasing using alternatives such as "it has grown challenging for" or "it is increasingly hard for" to refine the specific nuance. Make sure to follow the best practices and avoid making common errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has grown challenging for

Emphasizes the increasing degree of difficulty, using "challenging" as a synonym for "difficult".

it is increasingly hard for

Uses "hard" as a direct synonym for "difficult", emphasizing the effort required.

it is getting tougher for

Uses a more informal tone with "tougher", suggesting an increase in hardship.

it is now a challenge for

Shifts the emphasis to the present state of being a challenge.

it has turned problematic for

Highlights the emergence of problems or issues, shifting the focus slightly from difficulty to the presence of issues.

it is becoming a struggle for

Highlights the effort and strain involved, suggesting a significant challenge.

it is proving arduous for

Emphasizes the strenuous and taxing nature of the situation.

it is increasingly complicated for

Focuses on the increasing complexity and intricacy of the situation.

it has become onerous for

Indicates that something has become burdensome or oppressive.

it is becoming unbearable for

Emphasizes the severity of the situation, suggesting it is approaching a limit of tolerance.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it has become difficult for"?

You can use alternatives such as "it has grown challenging for", "it is increasingly hard for", or "it is getting tougher for" depending on the context.

Is "it has become difficult for" formal or informal?

The phrase "it has become difficult for" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The surrounding language will often dictate the overall tone.

What's the difference between "it is difficult for" and "it has become difficult for"?

"It is difficult for" describes a current state, while "it has become difficult for" implies a change over time, suggesting something was easier previously. For example, "it is difficult for them to adapt" versus "it has become difficult for them to adapt since the new regulations were implemented".

How to use "it has become difficult for" in a sentence?

Make sure to follow "it has become difficult for" with the subject that is facing difficulty and then explain what's causing the struggle. For example: "it has become difficult for small businesses to compete with larger corporations".