which is difficult to

USAGE SUMMARY

"which is difficult to" is a valid part of a sentence in written English.
You can use the phrase to describe something that requires effort or is challenging to accomplish. For example: "The task requires complex calculations which is difficult to complete in the allotted timeframe."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Every sport which is difficult to draw.

The New York Times - Sports

Their function is to deter, which is difficult to measure.

The New York Times

It's a crime which is difficult to describe".

The New York Times

Aspergillosis is a very unusual, mysterious disease, which is difficult to define.

The Guardian

The image, which is difficult to decipher, looks like a bald eagle as roadkill.

The New York Times

"It's a difficult phrase which is difficult to decipher," he says.

The Guardian

The only exception I might make is for strawberry jam, which is difficult to set.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But it also finds behaviour "which is difficult to characterise as rational".

The Economist

And you often can get a conversation with a writer you admire, which is difficult to achieve any other way.

The Guardian - Books

The beetle, which is difficult to detect, could arrive in EU countries via imported firewood, said Spence.

The Guardian

Most teller machines today run on I.B.M.'s OS/2 operating system, which is difficult to upgrade with new applications.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which is difficult to" to add a nuanced explanation of why a task, concept, or situation presents specific obstacles or requires extra consideration.

Common error

Avoid using "which is difficult to" in sentences where a simpler adjective like "hard" or "complex" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound verbose and less direct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which is difficult to" functions as a relative clause, specifically a non-restrictive (or non-essential) clause, providing additional information about a noun or concept in the main clause. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which is difficult to" is a versatile relative clause used to add depth and clarity to descriptions by explaining the challenges associated with a particular subject. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used across various contexts. While suitable for neutral and formal registers, be mindful of overuse and consider simpler alternatives like "challenging" or "complex" in simpler sentences. This phrase is very common according to our analysis. The phrase is frequently found in scientific publications and news media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which is tricky to

Replaces "difficult" with "tricky", implying a need for cleverness or careful handling.

which is challenging to

Substitutes "difficult" with "challenging", suggesting the phrase involves demanding effort and stimulation.

which is hard to

Uses "hard" instead of "difficult", offering a more straightforward and common alternative.

which is tough to

Replaces "difficult" with "tough", indicating resilience and determination are needed.

which is complex to

Changes "difficult" to "complex", highlighting intricacy and multiple interconnected elements.

which is problematic to

Replaces "difficult" with "problematic", suggesting the phrase causes issues or complications.

which is troublesome to

Changes "difficult" to "troublesome", implying it causes inconvenience or annoyance.

which is awkward to

Uses "awkward" instead of "difficult", highlighting its clumsiness or lack of elegance.

which becomes difficult to

Indicates that the difficulty arises over time or due to certain circumstances.

which is arduous to

Substitutes "difficult" with "arduous", suggesting the phrase requires significant effort and endurance.

FAQs

How can I use "which is difficult to" in a sentence?

Use "which is difficult to" to introduce a relative clause that explains why something is challenging. For example, "The concept, "which is difficult to" grasp, requires extensive study".

What are some alternatives to "which is difficult to"?

You can use alternatives like "which is challenging to", "which is hard to", or "which is complex to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "which is difficult to"?

Yes, "which is difficult to" is grammatically correct when used as part of a relative clause to provide additional information about a noun or concept. It functions as a non-restrictive clause, adding descriptive detail.

What's the difference between "which is difficult to" and "that is difficult to"?

"Which is difficult to" introduces a non-restrictive clause, providing extra information that isn't essential to the sentence's meaning. "That is difficult to", on the other hand, introduces a restrictive clause, providing essential information that defines the noun it modifies. Often, "which" is preceded by a comma, while "that" is not.