were made difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were made difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or task that has been intentionally or unintentionally complicated or made harder. Example: "The new regulations were made difficult to understand, leading to confusion among the employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"Things were made difficult with the first safety car.

The Guardian - Sport

Rescue attempts were made difficult by the remote and treacherous location of the crash site.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Studies of the fauna were made difficult by the constant whine of chain saws," the team wrote in a 1992 report on its work in southwestern Ecuador.

The New York Times - Science

One unintended consequence was that imports of life-saving medicine were made difficult as international banks refused to handle any money associated with the country.

The Guardian

But things were made difficult by Prof Sked, who would jump on stage unannounced, luminously clad in a cherry red velvet suit in the manner of Cupid, to unleash an arrow into the auditorium.

The Guardian

More than 80,000 residents were being directed to evacuation centres outside Fort McMurray, but journeys were made difficult as the main road out of the city – Highway 63 – was licked by flames.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Importing them has been made difficult.

The Economist

Legally, they can say no, but it's made difficult".

Independent

They can legally say no but it is made difficult".

Independent

But life was made difficult for Brisbane in midfield.

The Guardian - Sport

Planning is made difficult by state budget uncertainties.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were made difficult", ensure the sentence clearly identifies the agent or factor causing the difficulty.

Common error

Avoid using "were made difficult" without specifying what caused the difficulty. For example, instead of saying "The task was made difficult", specify "The task was made difficult by the lack of resources."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were made difficult" functions as a passive construction. It indicates that an action or situation experienced an increase in complexity or obstruction due to an external factor. This construction is supported by Ludwig's examples, highlighting its role in describing challenges.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were made difficult" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to describe situations that have been complicated or hindered. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is frequently employed across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. Alternatives like "were complicated" or "were hindered" can be used for similar meanings. When using the phrase, it's important to clearly identify the cause of the difficulty. The neutral register of "were made difficult" makes it suitable for both professional and general writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were complicated

Replaces 'made difficult' with a more direct synonym, focusing on the act of complicating something.

were hindered

Emphasizes the obstruction or delay caused, rather than the increase in difficulty.

were obstructed

Similar to 'hindered', but suggests a more forceful blockage or impediment.

were impeded

Indicates a slowing down or prevention of progress, highlighting the restrictive aspect.

faced obstacles

Shifts the focus to the challenges encountered rather than the act of making something difficult.

were challenged

Highlights the demanding nature of the situation, implying a need for effort to overcome it.

were rendered arduous

A more formal way of saying 'were made difficult', emphasizing the strenuous nature of the task.

presented challenges

Focuses on the challenges themselves, rather than the act of making something difficult.

met with resistance

Indicates opposition or difficulty encountered from an external force.

were exacerbated

Suggests that existing difficulties were intensified or made worse.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "were made difficult" to sound more formal?

Consider alternatives such as "were rendered arduous" or "were complicated", which offer a more elevated tone.

What's a simpler way to say "were made difficult"?

You could use phrases like "were complicated" or "were hindered" for a more straightforward expression.

In what contexts is "were made difficult" most appropriate?

The phrase "were made difficult" is suitable in contexts where you want to emphasize that something was intentionally or unintentionally complicated, such as describing challenges in a project or obstacles in a process.

Is there a difference between "were made difficult" and "became difficult"?

"Were made difficult" implies an external factor contributed to the difficulty, while "became difficult" suggests the difficulty arose naturally or through internal circumstances.