make it challenging to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'make it challenging to' is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to express that something has been made difficult or complicated to do. For example, "The teacher made it challenging to answer the questions correctly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The relatively small size of the putative inversion, and its location in the middle of the chromosome, make it challenging to characterize using standard cytogenetic techniques.

BMC Genomics

Think about what might make it challenging to stop.

Harvard University

Columns, colors, and photographs make it challenging to locate information.

Yale University

But does the business model make it challenging to keep bad people from doing bad things?

The New York Times

Rigid filters may make it challenging to be present in life.

University of California, Berkeley

But the things that make the play remarkable also make it challenging to produce.

The New York Times

Low-light situations make it challenging to select varieties that can adapt successfully.

The New York Times

The heterogeneity and tight coupling of modern critical infrastructures make it challenging to create tractable descriptions of their emergent behaviors.

International Journal of Critical Infrastructure Protection

However, the multiscale complexity of the biomass structures and reactions involved in pyrolysis make it challenging to elucidate the mechanism.

Progress in Energy and Combustion Science

Boredom can certainly be frustrating and that may make it challenging to see beyond your current feelings.

Columbia University

However, relaxation-induced line broadening and signal overlap make it challenging to apply NMR spectroscopy to large biological systems.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make it challenging to", clearly identify what is causing the challenge. Specificity enhances clarity and impact in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "make it challenging to" excessively in passive constructions. Opt for active voice to create more direct and engaging sentences. For example, instead of "It is made challenging to understand by the complex jargon", write "Complex jargon makes it challenging to understand."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make it challenging to" functions as a verbal phrase that introduces a description of difficulty. Ludwig AI shows this phrase is often used to explain why a task or process is not straightforward.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

23%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make it challenging to" is a versatile expression used to describe situations where difficulties arise. Ludwig AI validates this phrase as grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in scientific, academic, and news contexts. When using "make it challenging to", be specific about what is creating the difficulty. While alternatives like "pose a challenge to" or "render difficult to" exist, "make it challenging to" effectively conveys the presence of obstacles without implying impossibility. Avoiding overuse and opting for active voice can further enhance clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pose a challenge to

Emphasizes the act of presenting an obstacle or difficulty.

render difficult to

Highlights the act of causing something to become difficult.

complicate the process of

Focuses on adding complexity to an existing process.

create obstacles for

Highlights the creation of barriers or impediments.

present difficulties for

Similar to 'pose a challenge', but with a slightly stronger emphasis on existing difficulties.

be an impediment to

Focuses on something acting as a hindrance or obstruction.

inhibit the ability to

Emphasizes the restriction or prevention of someone's ability.

hamper the effort to

Focuses on hindering or impeding an effort or attempt.

obstruct the path to

Highlights the blocking or impeding of progress towards a goal.

be a hurdle for

Implies something is an obstacle that must be overcome.

FAQs

How can I use "make it challenging to" in a sentence?

You can use "make it challenging to" to describe something that presents difficulties or obstacles. For instance, "The dense fog made it challenging to drive safely".

What are some alternatives to "make it challenging to"?

You can use alternatives like "pose a challenge to", "render difficult to", or "complicate the process of" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "make it challenging to" or "make it difficult to"?

"Make it challenging to" and "make it difficult to" are largely interchangeable. "Challenging" might suggest a stimulating difficulty, while "difficult" simply implies something is hard to do. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes "make it challenging to" different from "make it impossible to"?

"Make it challenging to" implies something is difficult but still possible, while "make it impossible to" indicates something cannot be done at all. The former suggests a high degree of difficulty, while the latter indicates a complete barrier.