a bit more difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bit more difficult" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is slightly harder or more challenging than something else. Example: "I found the first chapter of the book easy to understand, but the second chapter was a bit more difficult."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"For young families it's a bit more difficult.

Independent

Hmm, that may be a bit more difficult.

The New Yorker

For a British manager  it is a bit more difficult".

Independent

This is where it becomes a bit more difficult.

The Guardian

I find it a bit more difficult to do that.

The Guardian - Sport

That makes MP3 conversions a bit more difficult.

The New York Times

That's a bit more difficult with a film".

The Guardian - Film

Pleasing them is proving to be a bit more difficult.

The New York Times

A junior four is a bit more difficult to describe.

The New York Times

It is a bit more difficult to take".

The Guardian - Sport

In that sense, comparing the British and American deficit-cutting plans becomes a bit more difficult.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing tasks, follow "a bit more difficult" with specific details explaining why the task is harder. This adds clarity and context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a bit more difficult" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language with synonyms like "slightly more challenging" or "somewhat trickier" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bit more difficult" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a comparative degree of difficulty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common way to express that something is slightly harder than something else.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

22%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a bit more difficult" is a versatile and commonly used adjectival phrase that indicates a subtle increase in difficulty. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts. Its neutral register allows for use in both formal and informal settings, predominantly appearing in news and media, wiki and scientific sources. When using this phrase, focus on providing clear context to explain the specific challenges encountered, and remember to vary your language by using alternatives such as "slightly more challenging" or "somewhat trickier" to avoid repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly more challenging

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging" and maintains the same level of intensity.

a tad more complicated

Substitutes "bit" with "tad" and "difficult" with "complicated", suggesting a mild increase in complexity.

marginally harder

Replaces "a bit more" with "marginally" and "difficult" with "harder", indicating a slight increase in effort.

somewhat trickier

Uses "somewhat" in place of "a bit more" and "trickier" for "difficult", conveying a sense of slight deception or complexity.

a little tougher

Replaces "bit" with "little" and "difficult" with "tougher", suggesting a mild increase in resilience needed.

slightly more complex

Uses "slightly" instead of "a bit" and "complex" instead of "difficult", referring to intricate details.

a shade more demanding

Replaces "bit" with "shade" and "difficult" with "demanding", indicating an increased requirement of effort or attention.

ever so slightly harder

Emphasizes the slight increase in difficulty with "ever so slightly" and uses "harder" instead of "difficult".

not quite as straightforward

Expresses difficulty by describing the situation as less direct or uncomplicated.

presents a few more challenges

Shifts the focus to the presence of additional challenges rather than directly stating difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "a bit more difficult" in a sentence?

You can use "a bit more difficult" to compare the difficulty of two tasks or situations. For example, "The second level of the game is "a bit more difficult" than the first."

What are some alternatives to saying "a bit more difficult"?

Alternatives include "slightly more challenging", "somewhat trickier", or "marginally harder", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a little more difficult" instead of "a bit more difficult"?

Yes, "a little more difficult" is a perfectly acceptable alternative and carries essentially the same meaning as "a bit more difficult".

What's the difference between "a bit more difficult" and "much more difficult"?

"A bit more difficult" indicates a slight increase in difficulty, while "much more difficult" implies a significant or substantial increase in difficulty.