it proves difficult to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it proves difficult to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is hard to do or figure out. For example: "It proves difficult to understand the complex instructions for putting together the furniture."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

In particular, beef was selected for its high content of haemoglobin (about 0.1 mg/mL in beef muscle [ 7]) to mimic well-vascularised tissues (with human muscle-like chromophores); however, due to its lack of uniformity, it proves difficult to repeat the experiments, affecting reproducibility.

BioMed Research International

Before we meet in London, it proves difficult to learn much about the author.

Independent

Perhaps it's his alienating shyness, perhaps it's the rather one-note instrumentation, or perhaps it's the civility of the venue, but it proves difficult to connect with this live performance any more than with LaMontagne's records.

Independent

However, it proves difficult to transfer this error estimation procedure to Galerkin meshfree methods.

Computers & Mathematics with Applications

Natural forests widely serve as "safety nets" for the rural poor, but it proves difficult to raise producer benefits significantly.

World Development

Though it proves difficult to pinpoint the adequacy of obstetric care at the patient level.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Alas, it proved difficult to find.

Independent

But it proved difficult to get banks, transport operators, or even council departments on board.

The Economist

It proved difficult to starve large numbers of civilians without total control of territory.

The Guardian - Opinion

But even after that it proved difficult to find out much about what he was up to on the ground.

Independent

Perhaps it proved difficult to rally people to the barricades with the slogan, The whole world's not watching.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it proves difficult to" when you want to express that something is not just hard, but that the difficulty has become evident over time or through experience. This phrasing adds a layer of observation or realization to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "it proves difficult to" in very informal contexts. Simpler alternatives like "it's hard to" or "it's tough to" may be more appropriate for casual conversation or less formal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it proves difficult to" functions as an introductory clause that sets the stage for explaining why something is challenging. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it proves difficult to" is a grammatically sound and usable English expression indicating that something is challenging, often unexpectedly so. As Ludwig AI points out, it conveys a sense of realization about the difficulty. While not as common as simpler alternatives like "it is hard to", this phrase is often found in science and news contexts, lending a formal tone. Remember that while grammatically correct, overuse in informal settings can sound stilted. For greater clarity and impact, consider the specific nuance you want to convey and choose the alternative that best fits the context. Alternatives such as "it is challenging to" or "it is hard to" can be used depending on the specific nuance you are looking for.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is challenging to

Replaces "proves difficult" with "is challenging", offering a more straightforward expression of difficulty.

it is hard to

Uses simpler language to convey the difficulty, replacing "proves difficult" with "is hard".

it is tough to

Similar to "it is hard to", but with a slightly more forceful tone.

it is not easy to

Expresses difficulty by stating the opposite of easy.

it is problematic to

Indicates that the difficulty arises from potential problems or complications.

it presents a challenge to

Shifts the focus to the challenge itself, rather than directly stating the difficulty.

it struggles to

Focuses on the entity that is experiencing difficulty, rather than stating the difficulty directly.

it requires considerable effort to

Highlights the amount of effort needed, emphasizing the difficulty indirectly.

it is an arduous task to

Emphasizes the task as being particularly strenuous and difficult.

it is an uphill battle to

Uses a metaphorical expression to describe a situation where progress is very difficult.

FAQs

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

You can use "it proves difficult to" to describe a situation where something turns out to be more challenging than initially expected. For example, "It proves difficult to manage all these tasks with limited resources".

What are some alternatives to "it proves difficult to"?

You can use alternatives like "it is challenging to", "it is hard to", or "it is tough to" depending on the context.

Is "it proves difficult to" formal or informal?

"It proves difficult to" tends to be more formal than alternatives like "it's hard to" or "it's tough to". Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when choosing the most appropriate phrase.

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

"It proves difficult to" suggests that the difficulty has become apparent over time or through experience, adding a sense of discovery. "It is difficult to" is a more general statement of difficulty.