proving to be difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "proving to be difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is becoming harder or more challenging than expected. For example: "The project is proving to be difficult as we encounter more issues than first anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

But measuring consumer behavior in an age of convergence is proving to be difficult.

The New York Times

In part, that is because some diseases are proving to be difficult to crack.

The New York Times

But cutting back on public works is proving to be difficult.

The New York Times

But carrying out that goal is proving to be difficult for New York City.

The New York Times

But so far at least, catching a reflection of this improvement in the attainment data is proving to be difficult".

The Guardian

The Louis Vuitton Cup and the America's Cup match will be sailed in 72-foot catamarans, which are proving to be difficult to handle.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Identifying those highlands proved to be difficult.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This proved to be difficult.

The Guardian

Unfortunately, parenting has proven to be difficult to change.

Stanford University

But finding suitable space in Manhattan proved to be difficult.

The New York Times

Foreign and defense policy should prove to be difficult, too.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "proving to be difficult", ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the difficulty. Providing specific reasons enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "proving to be difficult" in situations where a simpler phrase like "hard" or "challenging" would suffice. Reserve it for scenarios where the difficulty is unexpected or unfolding over time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proving to be difficult" functions as a descriptive modifier, indicating that something is currently in the process of demonstrating its challenging nature. This is supported by Ludwig, which shows its use across various sentence structures to highlight emerging difficulties.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

31%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "proving to be difficult" serves as a versatile descriptor, communicating that a situation is becoming more challenging than initially expected. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently used across various contexts, notably in News & Media, Science, and Academia. While simpler alternatives exist, "proving to be difficult" carries a nuance of unfolding or unexpected difficulty, making it particularly useful when highlighting evolving challenges. To maximize clarity, it's best practice to provide specific reasons for the difficulty, and to avoid overusing the phrase in overly simplistic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turning out to be hard

Replaces "proving" with "turning out", emphasizing the unfolding nature of the difficulty; "hard" is less formal than "difficult".

becoming challenging

Focuses on the progressive nature of the difficulty, using "challenging" as a near synonym.

posing a challenge

Shifts the structure to highlight the difficulty as an obstacle or problem.

presenting obstacles

Similar to 'posing a challenge', but emphasizes the existence of multiple barriers.

not as easy as it seemed

Emphasizes the difference between initial expectations and the actual difficulty encountered. More descriptive and less direct.

more complicated than expected

Highlights the unexpected complexity of the situation.

meeting with resistance

Suggests the difficulty arises from opposition or pushback.

facing complications

Focuses on the occurrence of complex issues that make progress difficult.

fraught with problems

Indicates that the situation is filled with potential difficulties and troubles.

a tough nut to crack

An idiomatic expression indicating a problem that is difficult to solve.

FAQs

How can I use "proving to be difficult" in a sentence?

You can use "proving to be difficult" to describe a task, situation, or process that is becoming more challenging than initially expected. For instance, "The experiment is proving to be difficult due to unexpected variables."

What are some alternatives to "proving to be difficult"?

Some alternatives include "becoming challenging", "turning out to be hard", or "posing a challenge" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "prove to be difficult" or "proving to be difficult"?

"Proving to be difficult" implies an ongoing process or realization of difficulty, while "prove to be difficult" suggests a future outcome. The choice depends on whether you're describing something currently happening or predicting a future state.

What's the difference between "difficult" and "challenging" when describing something that is "proving to be difficult"?

"Difficult" generally refers to something that requires effort or skill to accomplish. "Challenging" often suggests that something is difficult but also stimulating and potentially rewarding. Both can be used with "proving to be", but "challenging" adds a sense of positive engagement.