more difficult to find

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more difficult to find" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the level of difficulty in locating something, often in a context where multiple items or options are being discussed. Example: "In this vast library, some rare books are more difficult to find than others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's much more difficult to find the dictator inside yourself".

The New Yorker

But Madison was even more difficult to find.

The Washington Post

For continuous data it was more difficult to find a model describing the data.

Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology

Imagine a world in which fish are getting more and more difficult to find.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Now it's much more difficult to find this immediate, instant contact.

The New York Times - Arts

But other sizes can be more difficult to find, and there is no consistent cup sizing".

The New York Times

With station wagons becoming more difficult to find in decent condition, he had better hurry up.

The New York Times

"Once that demand is gone, it's going to be more difficult to find," Mr. Burley said.

The New York Times

For them, it becomes more and more difficult to find a new way to be.

The New York Times

Over the last 10 years, it's become more and more difficult to find an audience.

The Guardian - Music

But the passing of time makes it more and more difficult to find new leads.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the difficulty of finding multiple items, use "more difficult to find" to clearly establish a relative comparison. For example, "Among these artifacts, ancient pottery shards are "more difficult to find" than coins".

Common error

Avoid using "more difficult to find" when simply stating that something is rare. Instead, use "rare" or "scarce". "More difficult to find" implies a comparison, not an absolute condition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more difficult to find" functions as a comparative adjective phrase modifying an implied noun. It expresses a relative degree of difficulty in locating something. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more difficult to find" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to compare the relative difficulty of locating different items. Ludwig AI affirms its validity. Its versatility shines through various contexts, primarily in news, scientific, and formal business domains. When using the phrase, be mindful to imply a valid comparation and avoid using it to express just the concept of scarcity in absolute. Consider alternatives like "harder to locate" or "less easy to discover" for variety. It’s versatile to be applied in various contexts and that makes it very easy to be understood in most of the situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harder to locate

Emphasizes the physical act of finding or pinpointing something.

more challenging to discover

Highlights the level of effort or ingenuity required in the finding process.

increasingly rare to encounter

Shifts the focus to the decreasing availability or prevalence of something.

more elusive to unearth

Implies a deeper search or investigation is necessary to reveal something.

tougher to come across

Uses a more informal tone to express the difficulty in finding something by chance.

more problematic to procure

Focuses on the obstacles in obtaining or acquiring something.

less accessible to retrieve

Highlights the reduced ease of obtaining something that was previously available.

rarer to stumble upon

Emphasizes the accidental nature of finding something that is not commonly available.

more obscure to reveal

Indicates that something is hidden or not easily apparent.

harder to track down

Focuses on the active pursuit and tracing of something that is difficult to find.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "more difficult to find" in a simpler way?

You can use phrases like "harder to find", "tougher to locate", or "less easy to discover" as simpler alternatives to "more difficult to find".

When is it appropriate to use "more difficult to find" instead of "rare"?

"More difficult to find" is best used when comparing the relative difficulty of finding one thing compared to another. "Rare" simply indicates that something is scarce, without making a direct comparison. For example, "Diamonds are rare, but certain types of antique jewelry are "more difficult to find"".

What does it mean when something is described as "more difficult to find"?

It means that, comparatively, it requires more effort, resources, or time to locate something than it does to locate something else. The level of effort/resources may depend on the context.

Is there a difference in meaning between "more difficult to find" and "increasingly difficult to find"?

"More difficult to find" indicates a general state of comparative difficulty. "Increasingly difficult to find" implies that the difficulty has grown over time. For instance, "Vintage records are "more difficult to find" than CDs today" versus "Original pressings of that album are "increasingly difficult to find" as time passes".