Looks difficult.

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Looks difficult." is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing your perception of a task or situation that appears to be challenging. Example: "I glanced at the math problem and thought, 'Looks difficult.'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

To thwart him the opposition will have to unite behind a credible candidate, which looks difficult.

The Economist

The justice secretary knows his interest in the euro now looks difficult to defend.

The Guardian

The target that India has looks difficult, but is achieveable," said Irani.

The Guardian

A constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress, which looks difficult to attain.

The Economist

Each of those outcomes leads to a different portfolio selection.Renewed growth would obviously be best, and would favour equities, but at the moment looks difficult to pull off.

The Economist

Renewed momentum was expected after the Constitutional Court ruling last July but it has not materialised and the road ahead looks difficult.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

It looked difficult.

The Economist

But in the short term, many markets look difficult.

The Economist

But winning congressional approval for fast track is looking difficult.

The Economist

But after three years things were looking difficult at Artsworld.

The Guardian

Before Mr Panetta's announcement, General Allen's job looked difficult but doable.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Looks difficult." to express your initial assessment of a situation or task. It's a clear and concise way to convey that something appears challenging.

Common error

While acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing "Looks difficult." in formal documents. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms like "appears challenging" or "seems problematic" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Looks difficult." primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It expresses a subjective assessment about the apparent complexity or challenge of something. Ludwig AI provides examples from various sources that confirm this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

18%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Looks difficult." functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, commonly used to express an initial assessment of something challenging. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate in various contexts, although more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain professional settings. The analysis shows that it appears frequently in "News & Media", "Science", and "Wiki" sources, demonstrating its widespread usability. Therefore, while direct and straightforward, "Looks difficult." is a useful expression for conveying a perception of challenge or complexity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Seems challenging

Focuses on the challenging nature of something.

Appears problematic

Highlights the potential problems associated with something.

Sounds complicated

Emphasizes the complexity of something.

Seems intricate

Highlights the detailed and complex nature of something.

Appears demanding

Stresses the high level of effort required.

Seems daunting

Emphasizes the intimidating aspect of something.

Looks troublesome

Highlights the potential trouble or difficulty.

Appears arduous

Stresses the strenuous and difficult nature of something.

Seems herculean

Highlights the immense effort required, like the labors of Hercules.

Looks labyrinthine

Emphasizes the complex and confusing structure of something.

FAQs

How can I use "Looks difficult." in a sentence?

You can use "Looks difficult." to express your initial impression of a challenging task or situation. For example: "That math problem "looks difficult"."

What are some alternatives to "Looks difficult."?

You can use alternatives such as "seems challenging", "appears problematic", or "sounds complicated" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "Looks difficult." in formal writing?

While acceptable, it's often better to use more formal alternatives like "appears challenging" or "seems problematic" /s/appears+problematic in professional or academic contexts.

What does "Looks difficult." imply?

"Looks difficult." implies that something appears to be challenging or complex based on a visual or initial assessment. It suggests a task may require significant effort or skill.