Slightly difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Slightly difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task or situation that presents a minor challenge or obstacle. Example: "The exam was slightly difficult, but I managed to answer most of the questions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Slightly difficult time with Kevin, yeah.

Huffington Post

"No, I think maybe eccentric and slightly difficult.

The Guardian

The decision could make life slightly difficult for both her and the Mail's editor, Paul Dacre.

The Guardian

Thus I have always found the state slightly difficult to relate to.

Independent

Bonafide is a third-floor club, slightly difficult to find from the street, but once inside, it's an intimate haven.

The Guardian - Music

LISTENING to the two Shurduts is like being with a smart lawyer and her slightly difficult but charming client.

The New York Times

It's slightly difficult to understand at first, but there are a few tricks that can help flatten the learning curve.

The New York Times - Tech

Does Alfie see his dad? 'He does - but he doesn't commute because Gary lives in America so it has been slightly difficult.

The Guardian

We did rush the opening, in part because of a slightly difficult situation with my former employer that I won't bore you with.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You are in a slightly difficult position because all of this jostling and flirting is happening at work and the maxim of "not mixing work and pleasure" exists for a reason.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It is slightly more difficult (but still not very difficult) to make something that people will click on.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Slightly difficult" to describe situations where there's a manageable level of challenge. It's more nuanced than simply saying something is "difficult".

Common error

Avoid using "Slightly difficult" when the situation is actually quite challenging. Ensure the phrase accurately reflects the level of effort required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Slightly difficult" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It qualifies a noun by indicating the degree of difficulty involved, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Slightly difficult" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase to describe situations presenting a manageable degree of challenge. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and suggests alternatives like "moderately challenging" or "a bit tricky". While versatile across contexts, it's crucial to ensure its accurate portrayal of the actual difficulty level, avoiding overstatement. It’s found across News & Media, Science and Formal & Business sources. The examples highlight its role in conveying nuanced assessments, balancing clarity and mitigation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Moderately challenging

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging" and "slightly" with "moderately", suggesting a similar level of challenge but with different wording.

Somewhat problematic

Shifts the focus to the potential issues or troubles caused by the difficulty.

A bit tricky

Uses a more informal tone while conveying a similar meaning of mild difficulty.

Kind of tough

Employs a casual expression to indicate a mild level of difficulty or resistance.

Marginally complex

Focuses on the level of intricacy or complication involved.

Relatively arduous

Indicates that the task requires some effort but is not overwhelmingly demanding.

Reasonably complicated

Highlights the complexity involved while implying that it is manageable.

Not entirely straightforward

Implies that there are some complexities or deviations from a simple path.

Challenging to some degree

Explicitly states that there is a challenge involved, though not an extreme one.

Presenting minor obstacles

Focuses on the presence of small impediments or challenges along the way.

FAQs

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

You can use "Slightly difficult" to describe tasks, situations, or concepts that present a minor challenge. For example, "The instructions were "slightly difficult" to understand at first."

What are some alternatives to saying "Slightly difficult"?

Alternatives include "moderately challenging", "somewhat problematic", or "a bit tricky", depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "Slightly difficult" or "A little difficult"?

Both phrases are acceptable and convey a similar meaning. "Slightly difficult" might be perceived as slightly more formal than "A little difficult", but they are largely interchangeable.

What's the difference between "Slightly difficult" and "Very difficult"?

"Slightly difficult" indicates a minor challenge or obstacle, while "very difficult" suggests a much greater degree of challenge, potentially approaching impossibility.