it was difficult to raise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was difficult to raise" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing challenges related to raising something, such as funds, awareness, or a topic of discussion. Example: "During the meeting, it was difficult to raise the issue of budget cuts without causing tension among the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

I remember when it was difficult to raise half a million dollars.

The New York Times

He said it was difficult to raise money before the transfer began.

The New York Times

"They decided it was difficult to raise [Jade] because of cultural shock.

The Guardian

At the height of her career, it was difficult to raise one's voice sufficiently to mask hers.

The Guardian

It was difficult to raise the money for "There Will Be Blood," which gave Day-Lewis almost two years to prepare for the role.

The New York Times - Magazine

The NASA engineer who said it was difficult to raise problems added that that the reviews had become an "orchestrated event" in which "you're precluded from bringing anything new to the table".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Jackson" was praised for its candor and vulnerability and its concessions that it's difficult to raise children with someone from whom you're romantically estranged.

The Washington Post

It is difficult to raise money from donors because ballet fails to attract large audiences.

The Economist

House prices are falling and it's difficult to raise mortgages".

The Guardian

"It's difficult to raise a son into a man," she said.

The New York Times

A lot. It's difficult to raise a respectful child in the U.S".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was difficult to raise" in your writing, ensure the subject you're referring to is clearly defined and relevant to the context. For example, specify what exactly was difficult to raise—funds, awareness, or even children—to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid vague statements like "it was difficult to raise" without providing context. Instead, specify the reason behind the difficulty or the specific challenges encountered. For example, instead of saying "it was difficult to raise funds", say "it was difficult to raise funds due to the economic downturn".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was difficult to raise" functions as an adjective phrase describing the level of challenge associated with a particular action or goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is considered correct and usable in various contexts. It typically introduces an explanation or reason for why something wasn't easily achievable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was difficult to raise" is a versatile and widely used phrase to express past challenges. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and applicable in various contexts, from raising funds to raising awareness. While frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Academia, its usage extends to Wiki and formal business settings. When using this phrase, be sure to provide context and clarify what specific aspect presented the challenge. Alternatives like "it posed a challenge to raise" or "raising was not an easy task" can be employed to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it posed a challenge to raise

Emphasizes the challenging nature of the task, replacing "difficult" with "posed a challenge".

raising was not an easy task

Focuses on the lack of ease in the raising process, altering the sentence structure.

it was a struggle to raise

Highlights the effort and hardship involved, substituting "difficult" with "a struggle".

it proved problematic to raise

Indicates that raising something resulted in problems or complications.

it wasn't simple to raise

Emphasizes the lack of simplicity, using a more direct and less formal tone.

the raising process was arduous

Focuses on the demanding and strenuous nature of the raising process itself.

to raise was quite a feat

Highlights the accomplishment aspect, suggesting that raising something was a significant achievement.

it required considerable effort to raise

Stresses the significant amount of effort needed, shifting the emphasis to the effort required.

to raise presented considerable hurdles

Highlights the obstacles involved, replacing "difficult" with "presented considerable hurdles".

achieving a raise proved unattainable

Focuses on the impossibility of achieving a raise, especially in challenging economic situations.

FAQs

What does "it was difficult to raise" mean?

The phrase "it was difficult to raise" means that there were significant challenges or obstacles in achieving an increase or elevation of something, whether it's funds, awareness, or even a child.

What can I say instead of "it was difficult to raise"?

You can use alternatives like "it posed a challenge to raise", "raising was not an easy task", or "it was a struggle to raise" depending on the context.

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

You can use "it was difficult to raise" to describe a past challenge. For example, "It was difficult to raise enough money for the project", or "It was difficult to raise awareness about the issue".

Is it correct to say "it is difficult to raise" instead of "it was difficult to raise"?

Yes, both are grammatically correct, but they refer to different time frames. "It is difficult to raise" refers to a present or ongoing difficulty, while "it was difficult to raise" refers to a past difficulty.