it was difficult to

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was difficult to" is a perfectly correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to express the concept that it was hard or challenging to do something. For example: "It was difficult to find a solution to the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was difficult to argue.

Independent

It was difficult to say.

Independent

It was difficult to judge.

Independent

It was difficult to feel important.

Independent

"It was difficult to expect that here".

The New York Times - Sports

"It was difficult to find the motivation.

The New York Times - Sports

It was difficult to find a place.

The New York Times

It was difficult to remain calm, however.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was difficult to tell.

The Guardian - Books

It was difficult to watch.

The Guardian - Sport

It was difficult to make.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was difficult to", ensure the sentence clearly states what made the action challenging. Providing context enhances clarity and strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "it was difficult to" excessively without specifying who experienced the difficulty. Consider rephrasing to directly identify the actor for a more engaging and direct sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was difficult to" functions as an introductory clause that sets the stage for explaining a challenge or obstacle. It introduces a statement about the degree of effort, skill, or possibility required to achieve something, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

22%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was difficult to" is a versatile phrase used to express challenges or obstacles. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. While suitable for neutral register, being mindful of the audience is essential and specifying the nature of the difficulty enhances clarity and impact. Related phrases like "it proved challenging to" or "it was hard to" can provide alternative ways to express similar ideas. By avoiding overuse of passive voice and ensuring context, writers can effectively use this phrase to convey challenges and complexities in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it proved challenging to

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging" and uses "proved" to indicate a discovery of difficulty.

it was a struggle to

Uses "struggle" to emphasize the effort required.

it was hard to

Simplifies "difficult" to "hard", maintaining a similar level of formality.

it was problematic to

Replaces "difficult" with "problematic", highlighting the troublesome aspect.

it was arduous to

Uses "arduous" to stress the demanding nature of the task.

it was tough to

Employs "tough" as a more informal synonym for "difficult".

it was complicated to

Replaces "difficult" with "complicated", focusing on the complexity involved.

it was demanding to

Highlights the demanding nature of the task instead of its difficulty.

it was no easy task to

Emphasizes the absence of ease in performing the action.

it was a challenge to

Replaces "difficult" with "challenge" framing the situation as a test.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was difficult to" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "it proved challenging to" or "it was arduous to". These alternatives add a layer of sophistication to your writing.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using "it was difficult to"?

A common mistake is not specifying what made the action difficult. Ensure you provide enough context to clarify the source of the challenge.

How to use "it was difficult to" in a sentence?

Use "it was difficult to" to express that a task or action presented challenges. For example, "It was difficult to understand the instructions due to the technical jargon."

What can I say instead of "it was difficult to" in a casual context?

In a casual context, you can use phrases like "it was hard to" or "it was tough to" to convey the same meaning in a more relaxed tone.