which makes it difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

"which makes it difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which something is difficult because of a specific reason or factor. For example: The need to balance work and family responsibilities, which makes it difficult to find time to pursue hobbies.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Soil represents a complex medium, which makes it difficult to evaluate its quality.

Landscape and Urban Planning

Thrombin has a short half-life, which makes it difficult to accurately determine its activity.

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces

First, we used a cross-sectional design, which makes it difficult to distinguish vulnerability from its manifestation in depression.

Cognitive Therapy and Research

Its features keep on changing regularly, which makes it difficult to process.

Journal of Big Data

(Monthly numbers are erratic, which makes it difficult to pin down the growth rate more precisely).

The Economist

But it's bulkier than cocaine, and smellier, which makes it difficult to conceal.

The New York Times - Magazine

"And we are fighting on two fronts, which makes it difficult".

The New York Times

"I'm looking into domestic production again, but I'm still unionized, which makes it difficult," she said.

The New York Times

"Many projects are being postponed, which makes it difficult for young people entering the trade".

The Guardian

He earns just $1.8 million, which makes it difficult to acquire a player of equal value.

The New York Times

They didn't collaborate efficiently, which makes it difficult for information integration.

Computer Aided Chemical Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which makes it difficult", ensure the 'which' clause clearly and directly refers to the preceding clause to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid placing the "which" clause too far from the element it modifies. This can create confusion about what is actually causing the difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which makes it difficult" functions as a relative clause, providing additional information about the preceding clause and explaining a consequence or result. According to Ludwig, the examples provided show a variety of contexts where this construction is used to elaborate on the difficulties arising from a specific situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which makes it difficult" is a versatile phrase used to explain the consequential difficulties arising from a preceding statement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across diverse fields like science, news, and formal writing. While grammatically sound, it's important to ensure the 'which' clause clearly refers to its antecedent to prevent ambiguity. Consider using alternatives like "that complicates matters" or "which renders it challenging" to diversify your writing. Remember that this phrase is generally neutral in register, making it appropriate for most contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which renders it challenging

Replaces "makes it difficult" with "renders it challenging", altering the verb and adjective while retaining the core meaning.

which complicates the situation

Rephrases to emphasize the situation being complicated by the preceding clause.

that complicates matters

Uses a more concise expression focusing on the complication introduced.

that poses a challenge

Emphasizes the challenge aspect, using "poses a challenge" instead of directly stating difficulty.

that presents an obstacle

Highlights the obstacle created, using "presents an obstacle" to convey difficulty.

which is not straightforward

Uses "not straightforward" as a softer way of expressing difficulty.

that impedes progress

Focuses on hindering progress as a consequence, slightly shifting the emphasis.

this poses certain difficulties

Changes the structure to a more direct statement about difficulties.

this creates complications

Emphasizes the creation of complications as a result.

that is no easy task

Shifts from stating difficulty directly to implying it through the idiom "no easy task".

FAQs

How can I rephrase "which makes it difficult" to sound more formal?

You can use alternatives like "which renders it challenging" or "that poses a challenge" to achieve a more formal tone.

What are some common synonyms for "difficult" when using the phrase "which makes it difficult"?

Synonyms for "difficult" include "challenging", "complicated", "problematic", or "arduous". For example, "which makes it challenging".

Is it always necessary to use a comma before "which makes it difficult"?

Yes, when "which makes it difficult" introduces a nonrestrictive clause (adds extra information), it should be preceded by a comma. A nonrestrictive clause can be removed without changing the core meaning of the sentence.

How can I avoid overusing the phrase "which makes it difficult" in my writing?

Vary your sentence structure by using phrases like "that complicates matters", "that presents an obstacle", or by restructuring the sentence to directly state the difficulty and its cause.