progressively more difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

"progressively more difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation that gets gradually harder over time. For example, "The exam questions became progressively more difficult as the test went on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Furthermore, as an individual progresses upward, it becomes progressively more difficult to successfully fulfill the needs of each higher level.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They would get progressively more difficult.

Independent

"It becomes progressively more difficult after three," he said.

The New York Times

Then Rob assigned me a series of progressively more difficult cooking tasks.

The New York Times

As a result the code can seem dense and debugging became progressively more difficult.

Cornell University

They will start out simple and, as usual, they will get progressively more difficult.

Yale University

Some aspects of language learning become progressively more difficult with age, others may get easier.

The Guardian

The Russian side complains that obtaining British visas is becoming progressively more difficult and humiliating.

The Guardian - Opinion

That works for a while but becomes progressively more difficult to sustain.

The Guardian - Opinion

The trip gets progressively more difficult, and emotionally fraught, from here.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was easy at the start but it got progressively more difficult," said producer Sherry Neyhus.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing tasks, lessons or exercises, using "progressively more difficult" indicates a structured learning curve, ideal for educational content.

Common error

Avoid using "progressively more difficult" to describe situations where the difficulty spikes suddenly rather than increasing incrementally. Use alternatives such as "immediately challenging" or "abruptly difficult" for such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "progressively more difficult" functions as an adverbial modifier describing how something changes over time. It indicates a gradual escalation in the level of difficulty. Ludwig provides examples across diverse fields showcasing its descriptive power.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "progressively more difficult" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a gradual increase in difficulty. As confirmed by Ludwig, it accurately portrays a step-by-step escalation of challenge across diverse fields such as education, gaming, and skill development. While alternatives like "increasingly challenging" exist, "progressively more difficult" specifically emphasizes the incremental nature of the change. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context supports the idea of gradual progression rather than sudden spikes in difficulty. The phrase maintains a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increasingly challenging

Emphasizes the challenge aspect more directly than the gradual process.

gradually becoming more demanding

Highlights the increasing demands or requirements of a task or situation.

becoming harder and harder

Highlights the repetitive and continuous increase in difficulty.

more and more taxing

Implies increasing strain on resources or abilities.

getting tougher over time

Uses a more informal tone to convey the increase in difficulty.

becoming ever more strenuous

Emphasizes the increasing effort required.

escalating in difficulty

Suggests a rapid and significant increase in the level of difficulty.

with increasing complexity

Similar to 'growing more complex' but emphasizes the presence of complexity.

growing more complex

Focuses on the increasing intricacy rather than pure difficulty.

step by step, more arduous

Suggests a slow but noticeable increase in difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "progressively more difficult" in a sentence?

You can use "progressively more difficult" to describe a gradual increase in the level of challenge or complexity. For example, "The puzzles became "progressively more difficult" as we advanced in the game."

What are some alternatives to "progressively more difficult"?

Alternatives include phrases like "increasingly challenging", "becoming harder and harder", or "getting tougher over time", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "progressively more difficult" in formal writing?

Yes, "progressively more difficult" is suitable for formal writing, as it is grammatically correct and widely understood. However, consider using more sophisticated vocabulary if the context warrants it, such as "increasingly arduous" or "escalating in difficulty".

What's the difference between "progressively more difficult" and "increasingly difficult"?

While both phrases indicate a rise in difficulty, "progressively more difficult" emphasizes a step-by-step or gradual increase, while "increasingly difficult" simply suggests a general trend of rising difficulty without necessarily implying a smooth progression.