it is ever difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is ever difficult" is not commonly used in modern written English and may sound somewhat archaic or formal.
You can use it in contexts where you want to emphasize the ongoing or perpetual nature of difficulty, often in literary or poetic writing. Example: "In times of great change, it is ever difficult to find a sense of stability."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Afterward, Weaver was asked if it is ever difficult for him to summon the strength to compete, his team 15 games under.500 and all.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

You can't believe it was ever difficult.

The New York Times - Sports

As it is ever more difficult for men to find knowledgeable clothing sales assistance, this book provides the lore that can turn an eager amateur into an aficionado.

The New York Times - Style

The decades of work in regeneration has produced very few constructivist models, and the rapidly-increasing body of functional findings is making the problem worse – it is ever more difficult for scientists to come up with models that explain the increasingly constraining dataset.

Biology Open

"But as we work through these difficult times, it is ever more important that we focus not just on the resources that are available but how we use them and what we achieve," said a spokesperson.

BBC

As MP3 has grown from a college dorm fad to a global phenomenon, it's ever more difficult for one artist to get heard above the noise, he explains.

Forbes

I don't think it's ever been more difficult to define the terms Hispanic or Latino, and yet in the U.S. it almost becomes a necessity to identify with one of these groups or both, if you are of Spanish heritage and/or speak Spanish.

Huffington Post

Then again, everything about the world of financing is more difficult than it's ever been".

The New York Times

"It hasn't completely stopped," Ms. Cohn said, "it's just much more difficult than it's ever been.

The New York Times

That said, he does concede that the competition tio win deals is "as difficult as it's ever been" for venture capitalists.

TechCrunch

Although there were no plans to harmonise excise or other domestic taxes at that time, BAT's analysis of country excise taxes concluded that 'the rates all lie between about 30% and 42.5% of RSP [Retail Sale Price], which means that harmonisation, if it was ever contemplated, would not be very difficult'[ 22].

Globalization and Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider modern alternatives like "it is always difficult" or "it is increasingly difficult" for clearer communication.

Common error

Avoid using "it is ever difficult" in casual contexts. It may sound stilted or archaic. Opt for simpler phrasing to maintain a natural and engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is ever difficult" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates the manner in which an action is performed or a situation exists, specifically emphasizing the continuous or ongoing nature of the difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is not frequently used in modern written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it is ever difficult" conveys the idea that something is consistently challenging, but it's not a common expression in contemporary English. Ludwig AI notes that this phrase can sound formal or even archaic in many modern contexts. While grammatically sound, opting for alternatives like "it is always difficult" or "it is increasingly difficult" often leads to clearer and more natural communication. Its usage is primarily found in news and scientific contexts, but even there, more common alternatives are frequently preferred. Choosing simpler phrasing helps maintain an engaging tone and prevents sounding overly formal or stilted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is always challenging

Replaces "ever difficult" with "always challenging", making the sentence more contemporary and straightforward.

it is increasingly difficult

Emphasizes the growing nature of the difficulty, highlighting that it's becoming harder over time.

it is perpetually challenging

Uses "perpetually" to stress the continuous and ongoing nature of the difficulty.

it is consistently difficult

Focuses on the unchanging nature of the difficulty, suggesting it's a constant state.

it is invariably challenging

Implies that difficulty is an unavoidable and consistent aspect.

it remains a challenge

Shifts the focus to the continuing existence of a challenge.

it is a persistent struggle

Highlights the effort and ongoing nature of overcoming the difficulty.

it poses a constant challenge

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the challenge being presented.

it is a tough ongoing task

Simplifies the language to express the difficulty as a hard and continuous task.

it is a never-ending battle

Uses a metaphorical expression to convey the continuous and relentless nature of the difficulty.

FAQs

What does "it is ever difficult" mean?

The phrase "it is ever difficult" means that something is consistently or perpetually challenging. It suggests that the difficulty is an ongoing or recurring aspect of the situation.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "it is ever difficult"?

This phrase is more suited to formal or literary contexts. In modern conversational English, it's often better to use alternatives like "it is always difficult" or "it is increasingly difficult".

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

You can use alternatives such as "it is always difficult", "it is consistently difficult", or "it is increasingly difficult" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it is ever difficult" grammatically correct?

Yes, the phrase is grammatically correct, but it's not commonly used in contemporary English. While understandable, it may sound somewhat archaic or overly formal to modern ears.