Moderately difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Moderately difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task, problem, or challenge that is neither easy nor extremely hard, indicating a middle level of difficulty. Example: "The exam was moderately difficult, requiring a good understanding of the material but not overwhelming."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

For certain outcomes the effects of stall design interacted with difficulty of training (willingness to enter feeder and drink); for the 38% of calves that were scored as moderately difficult to train on a scale of easy, moderate, or difficult, treatment (stall design) differences were detected.

Journal of Dairy Science

The activities ranged from easy to moderately difficult.

Princeton University

Assange, a cryptographer of exceptional skill, told me that unlocking the file was "moderately difficult".

The New Yorker

Hikers climb nearly 1,200 feet in elevation on this moderately difficult trail.

The New York Times

A green ring might represent an easily caught Pokémon, yellow for moderately difficult, and so on.

The Guardian - Tech

This article discusses the MermaiHD and HART studies, and is moderately difficult.

Stanford University

A moderately difficult 8-mile (13-km) trail leads to the summit, which is snowcapped for most of the year.

Britannica

The method is well tested on a range of problems classified as easy, moderately difficult and difficult.

Computers & Operations Research

Goal-setting theory suggests that moderately difficult goals produce modest goal-performance discrepancies, which result in enhanced performance.

Computers in Human Behavior

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Some processing plant operators have opted to dispose fine material due to the lack of technologies available for treating moderately difficult-to-clean fine coal and for dewatering of the final product.

International Journal of Coal Science & Technology

The responses to questions on how knowledgeable participants were of various medical specialties had maximum rating of 5 (very difficult-1; moderately difficult-2; mildly difficult-3; easy-4; very easy-5).

BMC Medical Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the difficulty of a task or activity, consider your audience and choose language that accurately reflects the challenge without being discouraging. Using "moderately difficult" suggests that the task is achievable with effort.

Common error

Avoid using overly dramatic language when "moderately difficult" is more appropriate. Describing a task as "extremely challenging" when it only requires moderate effort can discourage people from attempting it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "moderately difficult" primarily functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe its level of difficulty. As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes tasks that are neither too easy nor extremely challenging. The examples provided show its consistent use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

32%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "moderately difficult" is a versatile adjective phrase used to describe tasks or challenges that are neither easy nor overly complex. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and appropriate for a wide range of contexts. Its frequency across diverse sources—including science, news, and academia—underscores its widespread applicability. When using "moderately difficult", consider your audience and strive for accurate communication, avoiding exaggeration or understatement. Alternatives like "somewhat challenging" or "fairly tough" can provide nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Somewhat challenging

Emphasizes that the task presents a degree of difficulty, but not overwhelmingly so.

Fairly tough

Suggests that the task requires effort and resilience, implying a moderate level of difficulty.

Moderately challenging

Uses a synonym for "difficult" to describe a similar level of complexity.

Reasonably demanding

Indicates that the task requires a notable amount of effort or skill.

Manageably complex

Highlights the complexity of the task while suggesting it's still within one's capacity to handle.

Slightly arduous

Implies a task that is somewhat strenuous or taxing, but not excessively so.

Not too easy, not too hard

Describes a middle-ground difficulty level, avoiding extremes.

Within the realm of possibility

Focuses on feasibility, suggesting the task is challenging but achievable.

Requires some effort

Highlights that the task is not trivial and needs a certain degree of exertion.

Acceptably intricate

Suggests the task has a level of complexity that is suitable or agreeable.

FAQs

How can I use "moderately difficult" in a sentence?

You can use "moderately difficult" to describe tasks, problems, or challenges that are neither easy nor extremely hard. For example: "The exam was "moderately difficult", requiring a good understanding of the material but not overwhelming."

What can I say instead of "moderately difficult"?

You can use alternatives like "somewhat challenging", "fairly tough", or "moderately challenging" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "moderately difficult" or "slightly difficult"?

"Moderately difficult" indicates a higher level of difficulty compared to "slightly difficult". The choice depends on the actual level of challenge you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "moderately difficult" and "relatively difficult"?

"Moderately difficult" describes an objective level of difficulty, whereas "relatively difficult" implies a comparison. For instance, something might be "relatively difficult" for beginners but only "moderately difficult" for experts.