made it difficult for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made it difficult for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the fact that something has caused something else to be harder or more difficult. For example: "High gas prices have made it difficult for many families to afford basic necessities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They made it difficult for us".

The New York Times - Sports

It made it difficult for snowplows.

The New York Times

It made it difficult for everyone".

The New York Times - Sports

The conditions made it difficult for both teams.

The New York Times - Sports

He changed the game, made it difficult for Brighton.

Independent

That has made it difficult for orchestras to curb costs.

The New York Times - Arts

That has made it difficult for incumbents to respond.

Harvard Business Review

The reverberating noise made it difficult for them to communicate.

The New York Times - Sports

It made it difficult for him to make decisions.

The Guardian

The Mavs made it difficult for the Knicks to try.

The New York Times - Sports

It made it difficult for us to compete".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "made it difficult for", ensure the context clearly identifies both the cause of the difficulty and the entity or process affected. This clarity enhances the sentence's informative value.

Common error

Avoid using "made it difficult for" without clearly specifying what "it" refers to. A vague antecedent can confuse the reader and weaken the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made it difficult for" functions as a causative expression, indicating that one factor or event caused another to experience difficulty. Ludwig provides examples showcasing its use across diverse contexts, affirming its causative role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "made it difficult for" is a versatile and frequently used phrase that effectively conveys the idea of something creating obstacles or challenges. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for a wide range of contexts, from news reports and scientific papers to academic discussions. While related phrases like "presented challenges for" or "complicated matters for" can offer nuanced alternatives, it's crucial to ensure clarity by specifying what "it" refers to and avoiding understatement. By following best practices and avoiding common errors, you can leverage the power of "made it difficult for" to enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

created obstacles for

Emphasizes the act of generating barriers or impediments.

posed problems for

Highlights the introduction of difficulties or troubles.

presented challenges for

Highlights the introduction of new obstacles or difficulties.

exacerbated the situation for

Focuses on the act of worsening an already challenging scenario.

hindered progress for

Concentrates on impeding or slowing down advancement.

caused hardship for

Highlights the causation of suffering or adversity.

impeded the ability of

Focuses on restricting someone's capacity to do something.

complicated matters for

Focuses on the act of making something more intricate or complex.

placed limitations on

Emphasizes the imposition of restrictions or constraints.

placed a burden on

Emphasizes the act of adding weight or responsibility, increasing difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "made it difficult for" in a sentence?

You can use "made it difficult for" to indicate that something created an obstacle or challenge for someone or something else. For instance, "The heavy rain "made it difficult for" the runners to complete the race".

What's a formal alternative to "made it difficult for"?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "presented challenges for" or "created obstacles for". These options maintain a professional tone while conveying a similar meaning to "made it difficult for".

How does "made it difficult for" differ from "made it impossible for"?

"Made it difficult for" implies that something became harder but remained achievable, while "made it impossible for" suggests that something became completely unattainable. The difference lies in the degree of impact.

Is it ever incorrect to use "made it difficult for"?

The phrase itself is grammatically sound. However, using it in a context where the difficulty is understated or nonexistent could be misleading. Ensure the situation genuinely presented a notable challenge before using ""made it difficult for"".