it has been particularly difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has been particularly difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a challenging situation or experience that has persisted over a period of time. Example: "This year has been tough for everyone, and it has been particularly difficult to maintain a work-life balance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

They and others say it has been particularly difficult for entrepreneurs in New York because its young venture capital industry invested so heavily in Silicon Alley's worst-hit dot-coms, like LivePerson and StarMedia.

The New York Times

Not that it has been particularly difficult for the Brooklyn group to fend off the authorities.

The New York Times

"I certainly, I would imagine, fall into the intellectually challenging box, and I don't think it has been particularly difficult because I am female.

The Guardian - Books

The month-long fast is a spiritual and physical challenge for all Muslims who observe the obligation, but it has been particularly difficult for Muslims here and elsewhere in Europe and North America, places far from the equator with very long summer days.

The New York Times

It has been particularly difficult to raise antibodies against gp120 of HIV-1, which constitutes an important approach in HIV vaccine design.

Vaccine

It has been particularly difficult to do this in the chromosome of E. coli since no bulk assay for expansion is available and expansion frequencies have to be obtained by individual colony PCR arrays.

Genetics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The Bookseller admitted that it had been particularly difficult to winnow entries down to a shortlist of six this year.

The Guardian - Books

It is a mystery that has been particularly difficult for the people of Kanungu, a rough seven-hour drive southwest of the capital, Kampala.

The New York Times

Some have reported recurrent complications including death, misplaced fracture, excess comminution and deep infection.Moreover, it appears that comminution in different degrees has been particularly difficult to control for during analysis.

Bone and Joint Research

Owing to its fragility and instability, endothelial glycocalyx has been particularly difficult to characterize and understand in its three-dimensional structure [ 14].

Critical Care

Moreover, it appears that fractured bone comminution in various degrees has been particularly difficult to control during fracture healing (Pei and Fu, 2011; Ghiasi et al., 2017).

Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it has been particularly difficult", ensure the context clearly specifies what "it" refers to. Providing specific details about the subject enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid relying on "it has been particularly difficult" as a generic explanation. Instead, provide specific reasons and examples to illustrate the challenges faced. This adds depth and credibility to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has been particularly difficult" functions as a descriptive statement, typically serving as a clause within a larger sentence. Based on Ludwig AI, the phrase accurately expresses the experience of facing notable challenges or obstacles.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it has been particularly difficult" is a grammatically sound and useful expression to describe situations with significant challenges. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various writing contexts. While not exceptionally frequent, it is versatile enough for news, scientific, and formal business writing. When employing this phrase, ensure you provide clear context to what "it" refers to, and avoid overusing it as a generic explanation without specific examples. Related alternatives include phrases like "it has proven especially challenging" or "it has been notably arduous", each offering a slightly different shade of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has proven especially challenging

Emphasizes the challenging nature with "especially" instead of "particularly".

it has been notably arduous

Replaces "difficult" with "arduous", indicating a strenuous or taxing effort.

it has been exceptionally tough

Uses "tough" to convey difficulty, amplified by "exceptionally".

it has presented significant hurdles

Shifts the focus to the "hurdles" or obstacles encountered.

it has posed considerable problems

Highlights the "problems" that have arisen, emphasizing their significance.

it has been unusually demanding

Indicates that the situation requires more effort or resources than usual.

it has required exceptional effort

Focuses on the "exceptional effort" needed to overcome the challenges.

it has involved considerable struggle

Emphasizes the "struggle" or conflict involved in the situation.

it has not been easy

Simplifies the statement to a general expression of difficulty.

it has met with stiff resistance

Highlights the opposition or resistance encountered, making progress slow and challenging.

FAQs

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

You can use "it has been particularly difficult" to describe a situation or task that has presented significant challenges. For example, "The project "it has been particularly difficult" due to unforeseen circumstances".

What are some alternatives to saying "it has been particularly difficult"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it has proven especially challenging", "it has been notably arduous", or "it has been exceptionally tough", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it has been particularly difficult" formal or informal?

"It has been particularly difficult" is generally considered neutral to formal. Its suitability depends on the context, but it is acceptable in professional and academic writing.

What's the difference between "it has been difficult" and "it has been particularly difficult"?

"It has been particularly difficult" emphasizes a higher degree of difficulty compared to "it has been difficult". The addition of "particularly" intensifies the challenge being described.