it is getting more difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

"it is getting more difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an increase in the difficulty of something over time. For example, "As our daughter gets older, it is getting more difficult to keep her entertained with the same activities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Science & Research

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

On the back of a new survey of officials and ministers, Peter Riddell, the IfG director, says "it is getting more difficult for the civil service to know what's right to do".

The Guardian

It is getting more difficult to make a living with farming and this offers a way out.

The Guardian

She's never been one exactly to court the press, but I wonder whether it is getting more difficult to remain relatively low-key, just to do the work, just be the genuine article.

The Guardian - Film

"In a number of fields in the humanities and the physical sciences, it is getting more difficult for university presses to publish monographs because it is more difficult for university libraries to buy them," said Myles Brand, president of Indiana University.

The New York Times

"It is getting more difficult (to turn it round)," added Redknapp.

BBC

It is getting more difficult to find leading-edge applications today that do not incorporate Java somewhere in their architecture.

Hack Proofing Your Web Applications The Only Way to Stop a Hacker Is to Think Like One

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

It's getting more difficult to recognize addicts, he said.

The Guardian

"It's getting more difficult to afford this type of generosity," he said.

The New York Times

Wenman said it was getting more difficult to hire and retain staff.

The Guardian

"That brought me so much fear, the thought that as I get older, it was getting more difficult to find a job, that the skills, maybe, are not there".

The New York Times

She did her best to sound upbeat, but admitted that it was getting more difficult to find people who are willing to "love the factory and make it their home," as her brochure suggested.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "it is getting more difficult", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is becoming more difficult. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it is getting more difficult" without clearly specifying what "it" refers to. For example, instead of saying "It is getting more difficult", specify "Finding affordable housing is getting more difficult".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is getting more difficult" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating an increasing level of challenge or complexity. It typically acts as a comment on a subject or situation, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Science & Research

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is getting more difficult" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that indicates a gradual increase in the level of difficulty of something over time, according to Ludwig AI. While not overly frequent, appearing in contexts like News & Media and Science, the phrase serves to inform about growing hardship or complexity. To improve clarity, it is recommended to specify what "it" refers to. Alternatives such as "it is becoming more challenging" or "it is increasingly hard" can provide variety in expression. The examples provided illustrate its use in diverse scenarios, reinforcing its versatility and correct application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's becoming more challenging

Changes the verb to "becoming" and uses "challenging" instead of "difficult", maintaining a similar level of formality.

it is increasingly hard

Replaces "getting more difficult" with "increasingly hard", which is a more direct way of expressing the sentiment.

it's growing tougher

Uses "growing tougher" for a more informal and emphatic tone.

it is proving more problematic

Shifts the focus to the problems arising, using "problematic" instead of "difficult".

it is escalating in complexity

Highlights the increasing complexity as the source of difficulty.

the situation is deteriorating

Focuses on the decline of a situation, implying increasing difficulty.

challenges are mounting

Emphasizes the increase in challenges, suggesting that things are getting harder.

the task is becoming onerous

Replaces "difficult" with "onerous" to emphasize the burdensome nature of the task.

obstacles are multiplying

Highlights the growing number of obstacles, implying that progress is becoming more difficult.

the squeeze is tightening

Uses a metaphorical expression to indicate increasing pressure and difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "it is getting more difficult" in a sentence?

Use "it is getting more difficult" to describe a situation or task that is progressively becoming harder. For example, "As the company grows, "it is getting more difficult" to maintain a personal connection with every employee".

What are some alternatives to saying "it is getting more difficult"?

You can use alternatives like "it is becoming more challenging", "it is increasingly hard", or "it is growing tougher" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it is getting more difficult"?

Yes, "it is getting more difficult" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard English sentence structure and uses proper verb tenses.

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

"It is getting more difficult" implies a gradual increase in difficulty over time. "It has become more difficult" suggests a change that has already occurred.