making it difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "making it difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that a certain situation or event is causing something else to be hard to do. For example: "The rain is making it difficult to see the road ahead."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And in others, the staining was diffuse, making it difficult to discern its position within cells.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Thrombin also has a short half-life, making it difficult to determine its activity.

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces

They were also very tough, making it difficult to swallow.

The New York Times

Yet we're making it difficult for them to do so.

The New Yorker

However, his skirts were restrictive, making it difficult to walk.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But the youth groups are making it difficult.

The New York Times

Instead of making it difficult, Henry accepted it.

The New Yorker

But by god, you're making it difficult for us.

The Guardian - Opinion

But it was just making it difficult for us.

The Guardian - Music

Lights are kept dim, making it difficult to read.

The New York Times

There are many roadblocks, making it difficult to get out.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "making it difficult", ensure the context clearly identifies what is being made difficult and why. Clarity is key to effective communication.

Common error

Avoid embedding "making it difficult" within overly complex sentences. This can obscure the intended meaning and reduce clarity. Break down long sentences for better readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making it difficult" functions as a verbal phrase that modifies a subject by describing an action that is causing a challenge or obstruction. As Ludwig AI also states, the phrase is usable to express that a certain situation or event is causing something else to be hard to do.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "making it difficult" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe situations causing challenges or obstructions. As Ludwig AI states, its correct and usable to express that a certain situation or event is causing something else to be hard to do. Grammatically sound and widely accepted, it appears frequently in both scientific and news contexts. Alternatives like "making it problematic" offer subtle shifts in emphasis. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity in defining what is being made difficult and avoid overly complex sentence structures to maintain readability. It is found that sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

making it problematic

Replaces "difficult" with "problematic", focusing on the troublesome nature of the situation.

making it problematical

Similar to "problematic" but slightly more formal, emphasizing the uncertainty and potential for issues.

making it complex

Substitutes "difficult" with "complex", highlighting the intricate nature of the challenge.

making it tough

Uses "tough" instead of "difficult", suggesting a more resilient or forceful obstacle.

making it tricky

Replaces "difficult" with "tricky", suggesting a need for careful and skillful handling.

making it sticky

Implies a situation that is hard to get out of, emphasizing the persistence of the difficulty.

making it troublesome

Indicates that the situation is causing inconvenience and annoyance.

making it serious

Highlights the gravity of the situation, emphasizing the potential for negative consequences.

making it laborious

Focuses on the effort and exertion required, emphasizing the demanding nature of the task.

making it awkward

Suggests a lack of smoothness or grace, highlighting the uncomfortable nature of the situation.

FAQs

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

Use "making it difficult" to indicate that something is causing obstacles or challenges. For example, "The heavy traffic is making it difficult to get to work on time."

What are some alternatives to "making it difficult"?

You can use alternatives like "making it problematic", "making it complex", or "making it tough" depending on the context.

Is there a more formal way to say "making it difficult"?

Yes, "making it problematical" or "complicating the matter" can be used in more formal contexts.

What's the difference between "making it difficult" and "making it impossible"?

"Making it difficult" suggests that something is challenging but still achievable, while "making it impossible" implies that something is completely unachievable.