it is still difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is still difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a situation or task that remains challenging despite efforts or changes. Example: "Even after several attempts to solve the problem, it is still difficult to find a solution."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But it is still difficult.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Yet it is still difficult to tell the story.

The Economist

Home values have fallen, and it is still difficult for many people to get a mortgage.

The New York Times

"It's better than before, but it is still difficult to overcome" the mind-set, he said.

The New York Times

In general, it is still difficult for German historiographers to form a dispassionate judgment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But at these colleges, it is still difficult to be an openly gay student.

The New York Times

But it is still difficult to decide when to declare a condition.

The Guardian

It is still difficult to sell French-language publishing rights inside the French-speaking world.

The Guardian - Books

"It is still difficult for a woman to hold a position of political power.

The Guardian

However, it is still difficult to label intracellular proteins efficiently in living cells.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry

However, it is still difficult to connect small-scale pores in the matrix.

Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is still difficult" to acknowledge ongoing challenges while implying a potential for future improvement or resolution.

Common error

Avoid consistently using passive constructions with "it is still difficult". Opt for active voice when possible to make your writing more direct and engaging. For instance, instead of "It is still difficult to understand", try "Understanding remains a challenge".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is still difficult" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying an implied or stated noun or situation. It describes the state of something as remaining challenging. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is still difficult" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey the persistence of a challenge. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It appears across various domains, particularly in science and news, with a neutral register making it suitable for diverse contexts. When using this phrase, consider the active voice to avoid overly passive constructions. Furthermore, several alternatives like "it remains a challenge" or "it continues to be hard" can provide stylistic variety. The prevalence and consistent usage of "it is still difficult" affirm its place as a reliable and effective way to communicate ongoing difficulties.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it remains a challenge

Changes the structure to emphasize the ongoing challenge.

it continues to be hard

Replaces "difficult" with "hard" and uses a continuous tense.

the struggle persists

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the difficulty.

it is proving to be tough

Uses "tough" instead of "difficult" and emphasizes the process.

it's not getting any easier

Expresses the lack of improvement in the situation.

it's as hard as ever

Highlights that the difficulty level has not decreased.

it is yet to be easy

Implies the difficulty is expected to diminish but hasn't.

challenges still exist

Focuses on the presence of challenges related to something.

progress remains slow

Indicates that advancement is not happening at a desired pace.

obstacles persist

Highlights the continuing presence of barriers.

FAQs

What does "it is still difficult" mean?

The phrase "it is still difficult" indicates that something remains challenging or problematic, even after efforts to improve or change the situation. It implies that progress has been made, but the issue has not been fully resolved.

What can I say instead of "it is still difficult"?

You can use alternatives like "it remains a challenge", "it continues to be hard", or "the struggle persists" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it is still difficult"?

Yes, "it is still difficult" is grammatically correct and widely used in English. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

When should I use "it is still difficult" in my writing?

Use "it is still difficult" when you want to acknowledge that a task, situation, or problem has not yet been resolved, and despite efforts, it remains challenging. It is useful in both formal and informal contexts.