make it more difficult for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make it more difficult for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing actions or situations that increase challenges or obstacles for someone or something. Example: "The new regulations will make it more difficult for small businesses to compete in the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That would make it more difficult for either party to tinker with the redistricting.

The New York Times

The united front could make it more difficult for Mr. Wulff to cling to his post.

The New York Times

The EU can only hope to make it more difficult for fraud to happen.

The Economist

"This plan will make it more difficult for someone struggling with mental illness to receive help".

The New York Times

"I was trying to make it more difficult for the horse on the outside".

The New York Times - Sports

That may make it more difficult for supervisors to assess future risks.

The Economist

These higher rates will make it more difficult for Ukrainians to repay debt.

The Economist

"There was certainly no intention of trying to make it more difficult for the voters".

The New York Times

"Lynn's article will make it more difficult for the jury to work together," Serota said.

The New Yorker

The retrenchment could make it more difficult for some potential buyers to get car loans.

The New York Times

The new mechanism will make it more difficult for countries to avoid punishment.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add nuance, follow "make it more difficult for" with a specific reason or cause. For example, "The increased regulations will "make it more difficult for" small businesses to compete due to higher compliance costs."

Common error

A common mistake is using vague pronouns after "make it more difficult for". Always clarify who or what is facing the difficulty. For example, instead of saying "This will "make it more difficult for" them," specify, "This policy will "make it more difficult for" international students."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make it more difficult for" functions as a causative verb phrase. It indicates an action or situation that results in an increase in the level of difficulty experienced by someone or something. Ludwig AI analysis shows that it's used to describe how actions or policies affect others.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make it more difficult for" is a versatile expression used to describe actions or situations that increase the challenges faced by others. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts, including News & Media and Science. Its function is to express causation, highlighting negative impacts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who or what is affected. For alternative phrasing, consider "impede the ability of" or "pose challenges for" depending on the desired tone. Avoiding vague pronouns is crucial for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

create obstacles for

Directly indicates the generation of impediments or barriers.

impede the ability of

Highlights the reduction or prevention of someone's capacity to do something.

pose challenges for

Focuses on presenting new difficulties or tests of ability.

complicate matters for

This phrase implies adding complexity to a situation, indirectly making it harder to deal with.

place constraints on

Highlights the imposition of limitations or restrictions.

obstruct efforts for

Emphasizes blocking attempts or endeavors, creating difficulty in achieving goals.

hinder progress for

Focuses on obstructing advancement or development, presenting challenges.

tighten restrictions for

Suggests making existing limitations stricter, thus increasing difficulty.

exacerbate issues for

Implies worsening existing problems, indirectly making things more difficult.

aggravate the situation for

Similar to exacerbate, suggesting the intensification of negative circumstances.

FAQs

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

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "impede the ability of", "create obstacles for", or "pose challenges for". These options, like "impede the ability of", offer a more sophisticated tone than "make it more difficult for".

What's a simpler way to say "make it more difficult for"?

For simpler phrasing, try alternatives like "hinder", "obstruct", or "complicate". Each of these, such as "hinder", conveys the same basic meaning but in a more straightforward manner.

Is it ever incorrect to use "make it more difficult for"?

While grammatically correct, "make it more difficult for" can sometimes be too informal or vague for certain contexts. Always consider your audience and the desired tone. Options like "aggravate the situation for" can provide greater precision.

How does "make it more difficult for" differ from "make it impossible for"?

"Make it more difficult for" implies increasing challenges, while "make it impossible for" suggests complete prevention. The first indicates added obstacles, the second total obstruction. Alternatives like "create obstacles for" suggest difficulty, not impossibility.