it is difficult to do

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is difficult to do" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that a particular task or action presents challenges or obstacles. Example: "Learning a new language can be overwhelming because it is difficult to do without consistent practice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, it is difficult to do this.

Nanotechnology and Nano-Interface Controlled Electronic Devices

It is difficult to do so.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It is difficult to do while smoking," he said.

The New Yorker

The reporting of natural disasters appears easy, but it is difficult to do convincingly.

Independent

We love to measure things, but sometimes it is difficult to do so.

The New York Times

And it is difficult to do when the organization is in flux".

The New York Times

It is difficult to do that when the puck is closer to Brodeur.

The New York Times - Sports

It is easy to give away money, but it is difficult to do it well.

The New York Times

It is difficult to do justice to the absurd humor at play here.

The New York Times - Arts

It is difficult to do litigation with clients, meaning that most public interest work is research or policy-oriented.

Harvard University

It is difficult to do better than that on a piece carved somewhere in the Achaemenid Empire.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is difficult to do" to clearly state a challenge, providing context to explain why something is not easily achieved. This helps manage expectations and encourages problem-solving.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the difficulty without providing specific reasons. Simply saying "it is difficult to do" without further explanation can sound vague and unhelpful. Instead, explain the specific obstacles or complexities involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is difficult to do" functions as a commentary or assessment on the feasibility or ease of completing a particular action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a standard expression used to convey that something presents obstacles or complexities. It essentially acts as an adjective phrase modifying an implied or stated activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

36%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is difficult to do" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey that a particular task or action presents challenges. As Ludwig AI points out, it's a standard way to express obstacles or complexities. It functions as a commentary on feasibility, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. While widely applicable, it's best practice to provide context to explain the difficulty, avoiding vague statements. Alternatives like "it is challenging to execute" or "it is hard to accomplish" can be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is challenging to execute

Emphasizes the demanding nature of carrying out a task.

it is hard to accomplish

Highlights the effort required to achieve a goal.

it is tough to manage

Focuses on the difficulty of controlling or handling a situation.

it is complicated to perform

Suggests intricate steps or factors that make the action not straightforward.

it is intricate to achieve

Indicates that the process requires precision and attention to detail to attain the desired result.

it is no easy task

Implies the presence of significant obstacles or hurdles.

it presents challenges

Shifts focus to the obstacles rather than the overall difficulty.

it involves difficulties

Highlights the presence of problems or complications.

it poses problems

Emphasizes the problematic nature of the action.

it is demanding

Focuses on the high level of effort or resources required.

FAQs

How can I use "it is difficult to do" in a sentence?

You can use "it is difficult to do" to express that a task or action presents challenges or obstacles. For example, "Learning a new language is overwhelming because "it is difficult to do" without consistent practice".

What are some alternatives to "it is difficult to do"?

Alternatives include "it is challenging to execute", "it is hard to accomplish", or "it is tough to manage", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "it is difficult to do" or "it's difficult to do"?

Both "it is difficult to do" and "it's difficult to do" are grammatically correct and acceptable. The contracted form "it's" is more informal, while the full form "it is" is slightly more formal. Choose the form that best suits the tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "it is difficult to do" and "it is hard to do"?

The phrases "it is difficult to do" and "it is hard to do" are largely interchangeable and carry similar meanings. "Difficult" might imply a more complex or intricate challenge, while "hard" suggests a more strenuous or effortful one, but in many contexts, they can be used synonymously.