raise the difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "raise the difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing increasing the level of challenge in a task, game, or situation. Example: "To make the game more engaging, we decided to raise the difficulty for the advanced players."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

But he and his coach are absolutely clear that in future they have to change to raise the difficulty".

The Guardian - Sport

At the same time that it required the tests, the State Education Department started to raise the difficulty of some of the courses and the tests.

The New York Times

With the younger gymnasts in disarray and lacking leadership, Karolyi set up monthly training camps to raise the difficulty levels of their routines and harden their psyches.

The New York Times - Sports

But, he said, it would raise the "difficulty bar" and at least make a dent in the false negative reviews of competitors.

The Guardian - Travel

As White House domestic aides continued to raise the difficulty of the trip's timing -- with Mr. Clinton in the Middle East until late Tuesday night, when the House discusses his impeachment -- Mr. Clinton's aides on the foreign side insisted that the trip had to go ahead for the sake of the peace effort.

The New York Times

They all raise the difficulty of dispatching.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

There are, however, some cases in which coercion may alter an agent's responsibility for what happens as a result of coercion that don't raise the difficulties noted above.

SEP

Some authors raise the difficulties to detect and diagnose these troubles with appropriate instruments [ 8, 7, 12, 13].

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

After allowing me to coast through a few missions, Flashpoint raised the difficulty level.

The New York Times - Tech

One is to continue raising the difficulty and cost to Tehran of crossing the nuclear threshold.

The Economist

She was on Start the Week – with Craig Raine, William Boyd and Iain McGilchrist – and raised the difficulty of generalising about evil.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "raise the difficulty" when you want to emphasize a deliberate act of increasing the level of challenge in a game, task, or situation to make it more demanding or complex. For example: "The coach decided to raise the difficulty of the training regime to prepare the athletes for the upcoming competition."

Common error

Avoid using "raise the difficulty" when you simply mean something is inherently difficult. "The task was inherently difficult" is better than "The task raised the difficulty", unless someone or something actively made it more difficult.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "raise the difficulty" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the action of increasing the level of challenge or complexity in a given situation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

41%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "raise the difficulty" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that describes the act of making something more challenging. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English. It appears in a variety of contexts, including news, science, and wikis, with a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. While alternatives like "increase the challenge" or "heighten the complexity" exist, "raise the difficulty" specifically emphasizes a deliberate increase in the level of challenge. When using this phrase, ensure you're describing an action that actively makes something harder, rather than simply describing an inherent difficulty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase the challenge

Focuses on the challenging aspect, using a more generic term.

heighten the complexity

Emphasizes the increased complexity rather than difficulty.

raise the degree of complexity

Similar to heighten the complexity, but more formal.

escalate the level of difficulty

Adds a sense of gradual increase or escalation.

advance the complexity

Conveys a sense of forward movement in terms of complexity.

make it more demanding

Shifts the focus to the demands placed on the subject.

amplify the challenge

Focuses on enhancing or enlarging the challenge.

toughen the requirements

Specific to situations involving requirements or standards.

set a higher bar

Implies setting a higher standard or expectation.

exacerbate the problem

Implies making an existing problem worse, which can increase difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "raise the difficulty" in a sentence?

You can use "raise the difficulty" to describe an action that increases the level of challenge in a task or game. For example: "The developers decided to raise the difficulty to challenge experienced players."

What is a good alternative to "raise the difficulty"?

Alternatives include "increase the challenge", "heighten the complexity", or "escalate the level of difficulty", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "raise the difficulty"?

It's appropriate when describing a deliberate act of making something more challenging, often to test or improve someone's skills or abilities. For instance, a video game might "raise the difficulty" as the player progresses.

What is the difference between "raise the difficulty" and "increase the difficulty"?

While similar, "raise the difficulty" often implies a more intentional or noticeable increase, while "increase the difficulty" is a more general term for making something harder. The choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.