persistently difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "persistently difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, task, or problem that consistently presents challenges over time. Example: "The project has been persistently difficult, requiring constant adjustments and additional resources to keep it on track."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

All are areas that have proven persistently difficult to pacify since the American-led invasion of March 2003.

The New York Times

The developed world's commitment and the funding to end poverty in the developing world is being tested by persistently difficult economic times.

The Guardian

One doctor wrote: "Since I first arrived... the most persistently difficult, troublesome and stressful element in daily life has been the IT, especially but not exclusively DMICP.

The Times

WestLB, the German state-owned bank based in Düsseldorf, said it would report a full-year loss of more than 100 million euros ($145 million) because of "persistently difficult market developments".

The New York Times

The brain has been created to ingest and compute billions of data points in specific areas such as health and material science, to help scientists better determine combinations that might finally solve persistently difficult problems in fields like medicine.

TechCrunch

For those around me it's so much easier to cut off a friend who is persistently difficult, self-absorbed, nasty, unpredictable, and decidedly other.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

When features and operation of all manner of consumer electronics become persistently more difficult, it's good to know that some things remain virtually unchanged.

Forbes

Chefs will persistently ask difficult questions that can lead to new research opportunities: why do some pairs of foods work so well together while others do not?

Chemical Reviews

12 In the latest communication from the Rome initiative, constipation is defined as "persistently difficult, infrequent, or seemingly incomplete defecation, which do not meet IBS criteria.

Diseases of the Colon and Rectum

His arguments have some common flaws: he persistently plays down the difficult trade-offs that businesses often have to make, even in ventures with clear potential for social good (eg, advising a ravaged country on how to cut poverty, at the risk of bolstering its dictatorship).

The Economist

Such experimental studies cannot mimic the lifelong stress and pollution exposures associated with low SES but help to elucidate some mechanisms for stress-related susceptibility and, importantly, allow for the separation of persistently correlated exposures, otherwise difficult to delineate.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "persistently difficult", ensure the context clearly indicates a challenge that has been ongoing for a considerable time. This highlights the enduring nature of the problem.

Common error

Avoid using "persistently difficult" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler terms like "tough" or "challenging" are often more appropriate for everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "persistently difficult" functions as an adverb-adjective combination that modifies a noun, describing something that presents ongoing challenges. As Ludwig AI says, the phrase is indeed correct. The adverb "persistently" modifies the adjective "difficult", intensifying and emphasizing the continuous nature of the difficulty.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "persistently difficult" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe situations that present ongoing challenges. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not extremely common, the phrase appears most frequently in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using "persistently difficult", ensure the context warrants emphasizing the enduring nature of the difficulty. Simpler terms might suffice for casual settings. Alternatives such as ""chronically challenging"" or ""consistently problematic"" offer similar meanings. Overall, "persistently difficult" is a useful phrase for adding precision to your writing when describing lasting challenges.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chronically challenging

Replaces "persistently" with "chronically" which emphasizes the long-term nature of the difficulty.

invariably tough

Substitutes "persistently" with "invariably" suggesting a consistent level of difficulty.

consistently problematic

Uses "consistently" instead of "persistently" and "problematic" instead of "difficult", conveying a similar meaning.

repeatedly arduous

Replaces "persistently" with "repeatedly" and "difficult" with "arduous" intensifying the sense of challenge.

enduringly complex

Emphasizes the lasting and intricate nature of the difficulty by using "enduringly" and "complex".

unremittingly taxing

Substitutes "persistently" with "unremittingly" and "difficult" with "taxing", highlighting the unrelenting and burdensome aspect.

ceaselessly demanding

Uses "ceaselessly" and "demanding" to convey a sense of continuous and exacting difficulty.

obstinately resistant

Focuses on the unwavering resistance to overcome the difficulty.

tenaciously intricate

Highlights the persistent and complicated nature using "tenaciously" and "intricate".

intractably challenging

Implies that the problem resists easy solutions using "intractably" and "challenging".

FAQs

How can I use "persistently difficult" in a sentence?

You can use "persistently difficult" to describe a task, situation, or problem that continues to be challenging over time. For example, "The project has been "persistently difficult", requiring constant adjustments".

What are some alternatives to "persistently difficult"?

Some alternatives include "chronically challenging", "consistently problematic", or "repeatedly arduous". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "persistently difficult" a formal phrase?

Yes, "persistently difficult" is generally considered a formal phrase suitable for professional, academic, or news-related contexts. Simpler alternatives may be more appropriate for informal settings.

What's the difference between "persistently difficult" and "difficult"?

"Difficult" simply indicates a challenge. "Persistently difficult" emphasizes that the challenge is ongoing and has lasted for some time. It suggests that the difficulty is not a one-time occurrence.