was becoming difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was becoming difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or task that is increasingly challenging over time. Example: "As the deadline approached, completing the project was becoming difficult due to unforeseen complications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

"It was becoming difficult to work as a journalist.

The Guardian

Even before the Great Recession, secure employment was becoming difficult to find.

Stanford University

It was becoming difficult to move new ideas from the laboratory into production.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Even so, hiding his condition was becoming difficult to the point of impossible.

University of California, Berkeley

Privately, staff admit it was becoming difficult for the company to recruit new doctors and nurses.

The Guardian

This Doctor's regeneration first happened in 1966, when William Hartnell, who was 58, was becoming difficult to work with.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

The accomplishments are becoming difficult to ignore.

The New York Times - Sports

It's becoming difficult, he says.

The Guardian

"Increasingly it's becoming difficult to have common ground".

The New York Times

"I think it's becoming difficult to be a Muslim anywhere.

The Guardian

Modern transistors are so tiny that shrinking them still further is becoming difficult and expensive.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "was getting harder" or "was proving challenging" for variety and to avoid repetition, especially in longer texts.

Common error

Avoid using "was becoming difficult" as a generic statement without specifying the cause or nature of the difficulty. Always provide enough context to make the challenge understandable to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was becoming difficult" functions as a verb phrase indicating a process of increasing challenge or adversity. It describes a situation or task that is progressively evolving into a state of difficulty, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

12.5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6.25%

Wiki

6.25%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was becoming difficult" is a versatile phrase used to describe situations that are progressively increasing in challenge. Ludwig's analysis shows that it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, academic, and scientific contexts. The phrase maintains a neutral tone and effectively conveys the evolution of a situation into a state of difficulty. Consider context-specific alternatives to enhance clarity and avoid overuse, while ensuring the underlying cause or nature of the difficulty is clearly specified.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was getting harder

Implies a gradual increase in difficulty.

was proving challenging

Highlights the challenging nature as it unfolded.

was turning problematic

Emphasizes the emergence of problems.

was evolving into a struggle

Suggests a transformation into a more intense challenge.

was starting to be a challenge

Focuses on the beginning of the difficult phase.

was increasingly complex

Indicates a rise in intricacy.

was escalating into an issue

Highlights the growth of a minor inconvenience to a more significant problem.

was developing into a hardship

Emphasizes the emergence of adversity.

presented growing obstacles

Highlights the introduction of impediments.

posed increasing hurdles

Highlights the introduction of additional barriers.

FAQs

How can I use "was becoming difficult" in a sentence?

Use "was becoming difficult" to describe a situation that is progressively challenging. For example, "As the project grew in scope, managing the resources was becoming difficult."

What are some alternatives to "was becoming difficult"?

You can use alternatives like "was getting harder", "was proving challenging", or "was turning problematic" depending on the context.

Is "was becoming difficult" formal or informal?

"Was becoming difficult" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal settings, consider more precise alternatives.

What's the difference between "was becoming difficult" and "became difficult"?

"Was becoming difficult" implies a gradual increase in difficulty over time, while "became difficult" suggests that something transitioned to being difficult at a specific point.