makes it difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'makes it difficult' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is difficult to achieve or understand. For example, "The complexity of the task makes it difficult to complete in the allotted time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Society makes it difficult.

The New York Times

"It obviously makes it difficult to shop".

The New York Times

That makes it difficult for me.

The New York Times - Sports

"It really makes it difficult," Girardi said.

The New York Times - Sports

It makes it difficult for the batsman.

The New Yorker

That makes it difficult to recommend solutions.

The Economist

"It makes it difficult to raise money".

The New York Times

That makes it difficult to live with.

The Guardian

"It makes it difficult for a player.

The New York Times - Sports

"The publicity makes it difficult or impossible".

The New York Times - Magazine

It makes it difficult for some people.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "makes it difficult", ensure the subject causing the difficulty is clear to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "The situation makes it difficult", specify "The lack of resources makes it difficult".

Common error

Avoid vague formulations like "It makes it difficult". Specify who experiences the difficulty, such as "The researchers find it difficult to obtain reliable data" rather than leaving it implied.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "makes it difficult" functions as a causative expression. It indicates that something or some situation causes a task or action to become challenging. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

47%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "makes it difficult" is a versatile and frequently used expression to convey that a particular factor poses challenges or obstacles. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread application across diverse contexts, especially in News & Media and Scientific domains. Related phrases, like "presents a challenge" or "is challenging", can be used as alternatives depending on the intended nuance. When using this phrase, be sure to clarify the subject and avoid overuse of the passive voice for greater clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is challenging

Replaces 'difficult' with a synonym, softening the impact.

is tough

Uses a more informal term to describe something very challenging.

is problematic

Emphasizes the problematic nature of something, implying difficulty.

poses an obstacle

Emphasizes the hindering aspect, suggesting a barrier to progress.

presents a challenge

Focuses on the challenge aspect, downplaying the level of difficulty.

creates complications

Highlights the creation of complex problems.

complicates matters

Highlights the complexity introduced, rather than direct difficulty.

is a hurdle

Metaphorically presents the difficulty as something to overcome.

is no easy task

Understates the difficulty, implying a need for effort.

is arduous

Uses a more formal term to describe something requiring significant effort.

FAQs

How can I use "makes it difficult" in a sentence?

You can use "makes it difficult" to indicate that something creates obstacles or challenges. For example, "The lack of funding "makes it difficult" to complete the project on time".

What are some alternatives to using "makes it difficult"?

You can use alternatives like "presents a challenge", "poses an obstacle", or "is challenging" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "makes it difficult" or "makes it impossible"?

The choice depends on the degree of difficulty. "Makes it difficult" suggests that something is challenging but still achievable, while "makes it impossible" indicates that something is not achievable at all.

What's the difference between "makes it difficult" and "makes it hard"?

"Makes it difficult" and "makes it hard" are largely interchangeable. "Makes it difficult" is slightly more formal, while "makes it hard" is more informal.