more difficult to obtain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more difficult to obtain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the challenges or obstacles associated with acquiring something. Example: "In today's market, high-quality materials are often more difficult to obtain than they were in the past."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Permission for wiretaps is more difficult to obtain.

The New York Times

This would make patents more difficult to obtain.

The Economist

Even the affluent are finding it more difficult to obtain access to care.

The New York Times

Tenure is harder to come by, as grants are more difficult to obtain.

The Guardian

Eggs, which offer other avenues for research, have proved more difficult to obtain.

The New York Times

The economic slowdown has made monetary donations more difficult to obtain.

The New York Times - Sports

Consequently, intuitive insights are more difficult to obtain for solid geometry than for plane geometry.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Those are the singers who today are finding it more difficult to obtain engagements.

The New York Times - Arts

But achieving consensus on how to deal with racist provisions within the document itself is proving more difficult to obtain.

The Guardian

But information has become more difficult to obtain as Internet connections have been cut and telephone calls have been disrupted.

The New York Times

"The 1542 Chaucer was published 90 years before Shakespeare's Second Folio and is far more difficult to obtain".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more difficult to obtain", consider the specific reason for the difficulty. Is it due to scarcity, increased competition, regulatory hurdles, or other factors? Clarifying the cause will make your writing more precise and informative.

Common error

While "more difficult to obtain" is acceptable in many situations, avoid using it excessively in informal contexts. Alternatives like "harder to get" or "tougher to find" might be more suitable for casual communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more difficult to obtain" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating that the noun is experiencing an increased level of difficulty in being acquired. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

31%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "more difficult to obtain" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe the increasing challenges in acquiring something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and applicable in various writing contexts. Its usage spans across diverse fields, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While versatile, remember to consider the specific reason for the difficulty and adjust the tone to suit the context, opting for alternatives like "harder to acquire" or "tougher to come by" in more informal settings. This ensures clarity and appropriateness in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harder to acquire

Replaces "difficult" with "harder" and "obtain" with "acquire", offering a slightly less formal tone.

more challenging to secure

Substitutes "difficult" with "challenging" and "obtain" with "secure", suggesting a demanding but achievable goal.

tougher to come by

Uses a more colloquial expression, "tougher to come by", indicating scarcity or increased competition.

increasingly elusive

Emphasizes the difficulty in finding or capturing something, suggesting it is slipping away.

becoming scarcer

Highlights the dwindling availability of something, implying a decrease in supply.

more arduous to procure

Replaces "difficult" with "arduous" and "obtain" with "procure", increasing the formality and emphasizing the effort required.

harder to secure access to

Focuses specifically on the difficulty of gaining access, suitable when discussing resources or opportunities.

more complicated to achieve

Shifts the focus to the complexity involved in achieving a particular outcome.

subject to greater barriers

Highlights the presence of obstacles hindering acquisition.

faces increased restrictions

Emphasizes the presence of imposed limitations.

FAQs

How can I use "more difficult to obtain" in a sentence?

You can use "more difficult to obtain" to describe situations where something is becoming harder to acquire or achieve. For example, "Due to the new regulations, permits are now "more difficult to obtain"".

What are some alternatives to "more difficult to obtain"?

Alternatives include "harder to acquire", "more challenging to secure", or "tougher to come by" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "harder to obtain" instead of "more difficult to obtain"?

Yes, "harder to obtain" is grammatically correct and often interchangeable with "more difficult to obtain". The choice depends on the desired level of formality. "Harder" is generally considered less formal than "more difficult".

What makes something "more difficult to obtain"?

The difficulty in obtaining something can stem from various factors, such as increased demand, limited supply, stricter regulations, or higher costs. The specific reason depends on the context in which the phrase is used.