prohibitively difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prohibitively difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is so challenging it is almost impossible to do or complete. For example, "The problem appeared to be prohibitively difficult, so I decided to give up."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the substance had a number of side effects and proved prohibitively difficult to produce.

Stanford University

The manufacture of L-sugar, however, has proved prohibitively difficult and expensive.

Britannica

However, the vast complexity of biological systems has heretofore rendered rational design prohibitively difficult.

Current Opinion in Chemical Biology

A complete survey of a network in a large population may be prohibitively difficult and costly.

Journal of Mathematical Psychology

Rainfall and other limits make it prohibitively difficult for some countries to grow all their own food.

The New York Times

Not so long ago, even a conversation like this one would have been prohibitively difficult for Mr. Tammet, now 28.

The New York Times

Quantum supremacy is the term that describes a quantum computer's ability to solve a computational task that would be prohibitively difficult for any classical algorithm.

University of California, Berkeley

Because copyright infringement is widespread and prohibitively difficult to prevent, producers have been effectively unable to rely on the economic benefits that copyright is intended to provide.

Stanford University

But lights are cumbersome and time-consuming to set up, and outside the studio, it can be prohibitively difficult to position them where, ideally, they ought to go.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But he said that he sometimes had layovers in Miami en route to Europe and other destinations and that the new rules would make such travel prohibitively difficult.

The New York Times

That may sound reasonable, but it can be prohibitively difficult, said Helena Peacock, the legal director of Penguin Books in Britain.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prohibitively difficult", ensure the context clearly establishes what makes the task or situation so challenging. Provide specific reasons or examples to strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "prohibitively difficult" to describe tasks that are merely inconvenient or slightly challenging. Reserve it for situations where the difficulty is exceptionally high and presents a genuine barrier to success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prohibitively difficult" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe the extreme level of challenge or impossibility associated with it. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prohibitively difficult" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey that a task or situation is exceptionally challenging, nearing impossibility. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It appears predominantly in scientific, news, and academic contexts, indicating its broad applicability across diverse fields. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context provides clear reasons for the extreme difficulty being described. While versatile, avoid overusing it in situations that are only mildly challenging to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually impossible

Emphasizes near impossibility, highlighting a minimal chance of success.

exceedingly challenging

Focuses on the extreme level of challenge involved.

incredibly arduous

Highlights the strenuous and laborious nature of the task.

exceptionally demanding

Stresses the high level of requirements and effort needed.

almost unachievable

Suggests a very low likelihood of reaching the goal.

near insurmountable

Indicates that the obstacles are so great they are almost impossible to overcome.

formidable

Focuses on the intimidating nature of the challenge.

untenable

Implies the situation or task is no longer sustainable or justifiable.

beyond feasible

Highlights that the task is not practically possible.

out of reach

Simple way of saying something is impossible to attain, focusing on lack of resources.

FAQs

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

You can use "prohibitively difficult" to describe a task or situation that is extremely challenging or virtually impossible to accomplish. For instance, "Due to the complex regulations, obtaining the necessary permits proved "prohibitively difficult"".

What are some alternatives to "prohibitively difficult"?

Some alternatives include "virtually impossible", "exceedingly challenging", or "almost unachievable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "prohibitively difficult"?

Yes, "prohibitively difficult" is a correct and commonly used phrase in English to describe something that is extremely challenging or almost impossible.

What makes a task "prohibitively difficult"?

A task becomes "prohibitively difficult" when the obstacles, resources required, or complexities involved are so significant that they create a nearly insurmountable barrier to completion.