it is proving difficult to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is proving difficult to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something is becoming challenging or hard to accomplish. Example: "Despite our best efforts, it is proving difficult to meet the project deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

But it is proving difficult to wean people off processed foods such as tinned beef and mutton, which represent, to those who can afford them, a Western lifestyle.

Independent

At the same time, American analysts say that India's military spending process is so chaotic and unfocused that it is proving difficult to complete deals.

The New York Times

Unfortunately for Baldini, it is proving difficult to make that argument stick, such is the suspicion towards anything coming out of Rome.

The Guardian

Sandstorms are frequent there – an average of 40 days a year – and it is proving difficult to hold back the Takla Makan desert.

The Guardian

Because the Stahelis arrived only a little over three months ago, it is proving difficult to find people who knew them well enough to give any clues of a possible motive.

The New York Times

A more plausible explanation: it is proving difficult to convert recently developed digital technologies into meaningful changes in the economy's largest sectors, such as health care, manufacturing, and transportation.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Alkaline side optimum pH of hydrolases is always desirable, and it is proved difficult to achieve that by mutation only.

Journal of Biotechnology

It was proving difficult to find.

The New York Times - Travel

But it was proving difficult to keep track of such details as the lethal toll continued to rise.

Independent

There are specialist academic and apprentice institutions – curry colleges – but it's proving difficult to get people to sign up.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Rather, he said, energy efficiency was vastly preferable, although it was proving difficult to convince countries to act upon.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase to introduce a problem or obstacle that is becoming increasingly apparent over time, rather than a sudden or unexpected difficulty.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions like "it is proving difficult to". Whenever possible, rephrase the sentence to highlight the actor or cause of the difficulty, making the writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "It is proving difficult to obtain funding", consider "Obtaining funding has become a challenge".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is proving difficult to" functions as an introductory clause that sets the stage for explaining a problem or a challenge. It's commonly used to introduce a situation where progress is hindered or a goal is hard to achieve. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable and correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is proving difficult to" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to convey that something is becoming challenging. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not exceedingly common, it appears across various contexts, especially in news, science, and academic writing. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what 'it' refers to and consider the level of formality required for your specific context. Alternatives such as "it is becoming challenging to" or "it is increasingly hard to" can add nuance or formality as needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is becoming challenging to

Replaces 'proving difficult' with 'becoming challenging', emphasizing the increasing nature of the difficulty.

it is increasingly hard to

Substitutes 'proving difficult' with 'increasingly hard', highlighting the growing level of hardship.

it is no easy task to

Replaces the entire phrase with a more emphatic statement that the task is not simple.

it is a struggle to

Replaces 'proving difficult' with 'a struggle', focusing on the effort required.

it is arduous to

Substitutes 'proving difficult' with 'arduous', implying a strenuous and challenging endeavor.

it is laborious to

Replaces 'proving difficult' with 'laborious', emphasizing the amount of work involved.

it presents a challenge to

Shifts the focus to the challenge itself rather than the difficulty.

it is problematic to

Replaces 'proving difficult' with 'problematic', highlighting the issues and complications involved.

it is proving troublesome to

Substitutes 'difficult' with 'troublesome', emphasizing the annoyance or inconvenience caused.

it is taxing to

Replaces 'proving difficult' with 'taxing', emphasizing the burden or strain caused.

FAQs

What does "it is proving difficult to" mean?

The phrase "it is proving difficult to" indicates that something is becoming challenging or hard to accomplish. It suggests that efforts are being made, but the desired outcome is not easily achieved.

What can I say instead of "it is proving difficult to"?

You can use alternatives like "it is becoming challenging to", "it is increasingly hard to", or "it is no easy task to" depending on the context.

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

Use "it is proving difficult to" followed by a verb to describe the action that is becoming challenging. For example, "It is proving difficult to meet the project deadline". Or "It is proving difficult to find a solution".

Is "it is proving difficult to" formal or informal?

"It is proving difficult to" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might prefer alternatives like "it presents a challenge to" or "it is arduous to" for a more sophisticated tone.