make things difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make things difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation or action that complicates or hinders progress or understanding. Example: "The new regulations will make things difficult for small businesses trying to comply."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Communication

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We make things difficult.

The New York Times - Sports

Which sometimes make things difficult.

The Washington Post

Do not make things difficult for them.

Independent

"They just want to make things difficult.

The Guardian

"They just want to make things difficult.

The Guardian

One long-shot candidate could make things difficult.

The Economist

The other four were put in "to make things difficult".

The Guardian - Books

"It will make things difficult on the sequel," he said.

The New York Times

"The British policy will make things difficult," he added.

The Guardian

Some neighbors are determined to make things difficult.

The New York Times

Syracuse is more athletic, but if the pace is slow enough, Wisconsin could make things difficult.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make things difficult", consider the specific type of difficulty being created. Choosing more precise language can enhance clarity.

Common error

While "make things difficult" is widely understood, overuse in formal writing can make your tone seem less sophisticated. Opt for alternatives like "complicate matters" or "present challenges" in such scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make things difficult" functions as a verb phrase that describes an action which creates complications or obstacles. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sports

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make things difficult" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the act of creating complications or obstacles. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While versatile, consider more precise alternatives like "complicate matters" or "present challenges" in formal contexts for enhanced clarity. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, this phrase serves to convey that an action or situation introduces problems or hinders progress. Remember to avoid overuse and consider the tone of your writing when incorporating this widely understood expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complicate matters

Focuses on adding complexity rather than just difficulty.

create obstacles

Emphasizes the act of setting up barriers.

present challenges

Highlights the presence of tasks that require effort.

pose problems

Emphasizes the introduction of issues.

impede progress

Focuses on slowing down or halting advancement.

throw a wrench in the works

An idiomatic expression for disrupting a process.

muddy the waters

Focuses on making a situation confusing.

add fuel to the fire

Emphasizes exacerbating an already difficult situation.

make life harder

A more general expression for increasing difficulty.

set a snag

Highlights encountering an unexpected obstacle.

FAQs

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

Consider using phrases like "complicate matters", "present challenges", or "impede progress" depending on the specific context.

What's a more vivid way to say "make things difficult"?

For a more colorful expression, you could say "throw a wrench in the works" or "muddy the waters" to convey the idea in a more figurative way.

Is it correct to say "making things difficult" instead of "make things difficult"?

Yes, "making things difficult" is grammatically correct. The choice depends on the sentence structure. For example, "The constant delays are making things difficult" is perfectly acceptable.

Which is better, "make things difficult" or "make matters difficult"?

Both phrases are correct and very similar in meaning. "Make matters difficult" is slightly more formal, while "make things difficult" is generally more common in everyday language.