it has been difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has been difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a challenge or hardship that has occurred over a period of time. Example: "It has been difficult to manage my time effectively while balancing work and personal commitments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It has been difficult.

The New York Times - Sports

"It has been difficult for him.

Independent

"It has been difficult with Aquilani.

Independent

Keeping it has been difficult.

The New York Times

It has been difficult within the squad.

The Guardian - Sport

It has been difficult since Mubarak left.

The Guardian - Books

"It has been difficult for KP.

The Guardian - Sport

It has been difficult for her teachers; it has been difficult for her parents.

The Guardian - Opinion

It has been difficult for her classmates to ignore her.

The New Yorker

It has been difficult for no-one more than her.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It has been difficult to find the balance," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it has been difficult", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific task or situation has presented challenges. Adding details will make your statement more impactful.

Common error

Avoid vague statements like "it has been difficult" without specifying what exactly has been challenging. Always provide context to maintain clarity and relevance for your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has been difficult" functions as a declarative statement expressing that something has presented challenges or required significant effort. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it has been difficult" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to indicate that a task or situation has presented significant challenges. Ludwig's analysis of numerous real-world examples confirms its frequent usage across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business communications. While alternatives like "it has been challenging" or "it has been tough" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired, "it has been difficult" remains a reliable and widely understood way to convey the presence of hardship or obstacles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has been challenging

Replaces "difficult" with a synonym emphasizing the demanding nature of the situation.

it has been tough

Substitutes "difficult" with a more informal synonym, suggesting resilience is needed.

it has been hard

Uses a simpler synonym for "difficult", conveying the effort required.

it has been problematic

Indicates that the situation has caused problems or complications.

it has been arduous

Replaces "difficult" with a more formal synonym, implying a strenuous effort.

it has been demanding

Highlights the high level of effort or resources required.

it has been taxing

Emphasizes the draining or burdensome aspect of the situation.

it has been complicated

Suggests the situation involves many interconnected elements, making it hard to resolve.

it has been trying

Implies the situation has tested one's patience or endurance.

it has been no easy task

Expresses the difficulty by stating the absence of ease.

FAQs

What does "it has been difficult" mean?

The phrase "it has been difficult" expresses that a task, situation, or period has involved significant challenges, effort, or adversity.

What are some synonyms for "it has been difficult"?

Alternatives include "it has been challenging", "it has been tough", or "it has been hard", depending on the context.

How can I use "it has been difficult" in a sentence?

You might say, "It has been difficult to balance work and family life" or "It has been difficult to find accurate information on the topic."

Is "it has been difficult" formal or informal?

The phrase "it has been difficult" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.