a degree of difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a degree of difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the level of challenge or complexity associated with a task, problem, or activity. Example: "The exam had a degree of difficulty that surprised many students, making it harder than they had anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Wickedness isn't a degree of difficulty.

Harvard Business Review

(Mr. Sanborn admitted to introducing misspellings to add a degree of difficulty).

The New York Times

The pins were tucked in difficult positions, which added a degree of difficulty.

The New York Times - Sports

All of Gustafson's dives in this event had a degree of difficulty above 2.0.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Shots and passes suddenly seemed to come as if they were scored with a degree of difficulty.

The New York Times - Sports

At the Beijing Olympics in 2008, the most complex dive had a degree of difficulty rated at 3.8; this was a reverse 2½ somersault with 2½ twists.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Gets a degree-of-difficulty boost because, upon reflection, City Critic realized the secret phrase bordered on gibberish.

The New York Times

That dive, which carries a 3.9 degree-of-difficulty rating, earned him scores of fives and sixes.

The New York Times - Sports

She attempted a routine with a high degree of difficulty that had a rating of 4.175.

The New York Times - Sports

A dive with a high degree of difficulty with minor faults will outscore a simpler dive performed flawlessly.

The New York Times - Sports

All those competing in the competition have a degree of learning difficulties.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a degree of difficulty", consider the context to ensure it accurately reflects the specific challenge or complexity being described. Be precise in your language to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While "a degree of difficulty" is acceptable, avoid using it excessively. Vary your language by incorporating synonyms like "level of complexity" or "extent of challenge" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a degree of difficulty" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as an object or complement within a sentence. It quantifies the level of challenge or complexity associated with a particular task, activity, or problem, as shown in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

25%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a degree of difficulty" is a frequently used and grammatically correct noun phrase that describes the level of challenge or complexity associated with a task or situation. As noted by Ludwig, it's widely used in contexts ranging from news and media to science and academia. While acceptable in most registers, varying your language with synonyms like "level of complexity" or "extent of challenge" can enhance writing. The phrase demonstrates strong presence across authoritative sources. Therefore, ensure precision and context awareness to maximize effectiveness in writing, as it conveys a specific level of complexity involved. Be mindful of overusing the phrase, and consider the alternatives when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

level of difficulty

Focuses on the 'level' aspect, quantifying the difficulty.

extent of challenge

Emphasizes the 'challenge' aspect, highlighting the demanding nature of the task.

level of complexity

Shifts the focus from difficulty to the intricacy involved.

measure of complexity

More formal; emphasizes the measurement of intricacy.

magnitude of the challenge

Highlights the 'magnitude', suggesting a significant challenge.

inherent difficulty

Stresses that the difficulty is a natural part of something.

task complexity

More concise, directly referring to the complexity of a task.

degree of complexity

Swaps "difficulty" for "complexity", focusing on intricacy instead of hardship.

the challenge presented

Highlights the presence of a challenge that needs to be overcome.

the difficulty involved

Focuses specifically on the concept of difficulty that is connected with the task.

FAQs

How can I use "a degree of difficulty" in a sentence?

You can use "a degree of difficulty" to describe the level of challenge involved in a task. For example: "The project presented "a degree of difficulty" due to its complex requirements".

What can I say instead of "a degree of difficulty"?

You can use alternatives like "level of difficulty", "extent of challenge", or "level of complexity" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "a high degree of difficulty" or "a large degree of difficulty"?

"A high degree of difficulty" is generally preferred as it aligns better with common usage. "Large degree of difficulty" is less idiomatic but still understandable.

What's the difference between "a degree of difficulty" and "a challenge"?

"A challenge" is a general term for something difficult. "A degree of difficulty" specifies the intensity or level of that difficulty, suggesting a more nuanced assessment.