a difficult business

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a difficult business" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation, task, or industry that is challenging or complex in nature. Example: "Starting a new restaurant can be a difficult business, requiring careful planning and management."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is a difficult business.

The Economist

WRITING European history is a difficult business.

The Economist

Healthcare is a difficult business.

The Guardian

"Politics is a difficult business.

The Guardian

Catching a bonefish is a difficult business.

The New York Times - Travel

Feedback can be a difficult business.

The Guardian

Therefore, it's a difficult business to scale.

The Washington Post

Counting march numbers is a difficult business.

The Guardian

"But it's a difficult business, because concentrating is difficult".

The Guardian

"It's a difficult business, and it's a difficult position.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was a difficult business in the mid-90's".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a difficult business", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific challenges or complexities are involved. For example, instead of just saying "it's a difficult business", specify "managing supply chains is a difficult business".

Common error

Avoid using "a difficult business" as a vague statement. Instead, provide specific details about why something is challenging to give your statement more impact and clarity. For instance, instead of saying "healthcare is a difficult business", explain that "navigating regulatory hurdles makes healthcare a difficult business".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a difficult business" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically serving as a predicate nominative or adjective complement within a sentence. Ludwig AI examples show it qualifies various nouns, emphasizing the challenging nature of the subject. It highlights complexities, obstacles, or demanding aspects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a difficult business" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe situations, tasks, or industries fraught with challenges. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across a wide range of contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's crucial to provide specific details rather than relying on it as a vague descriptor. Alternatives like ""a challenging undertaking"" or ""a tough proposition"" can add nuance depending on the context. Remember to use it judiciously to enhance clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging undertaking

Replaces "business" with "undertaking", focusing on the effort required.

a tough proposition

Substitutes "business" with "proposition", emphasizing the demanding nature of the situation.

a complex matter

Uses "matter" instead of "business", highlighting the intricacy involved.

a demanding task

Focuses on the effort required, using "task" in place of "business".

a formidable endeavor

Emphasizes the scale and difficulty of the effort.

a thorny issue

Highlights the problematic aspects, using "issue" instead of "business".

an arduous process

Replaces "business" with "process", stressing the long and challenging nature.

a tricky situation

Focuses on the delicate and potentially problematic nature.

a precarious venture

Emphasizes the risk and uncertainty involved.

a labor-intensive operation

Highlights the amount of work required.

FAQs

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

You can use "a difficult business" to describe any field, task, or situation that presents significant challenges. For instance, "Farming cod with complete predictability is "a difficult business"".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "a difficult business"?

Depending on the specific context, you could use alternatives like "a challenging undertaking", "a tough proposition", or "a complex matter".

Is it more appropriate to say "a difficult business" or "a challenging business"?

Both "a difficult business" and "a challenging business" are acceptable. "Difficult" emphasizes the hardships and obstacles, while "challenging" highlights the need for effort and skill. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Why is scaling considered "a difficult business"?

Scaling is "a difficult business" because it often requires significant investment, adaptation to new processes, and overcoming logistical hurdles. It's a process that goes beyond just expanding operations; it's about creating a sustainable, repeatable model.