a difficult exercise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a difficult exercise" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a task or activity that requires significant effort or skill to complete. Example: "Completing the math problems was a difficult exercise that challenged my understanding of the concepts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

That's a difficult exercise".

The Guardian

Still, even the boldest acknowledge that it's a difficult exercise.

The New York Times

Trying to pinpoint the level of discontent in a society is a difficult exercise.

The New Yorker

And judges routinely tell juries to disregard testimony they have heard that is deemed inappropriate, a difficult exercise, at best.

The New York Times

"It is always a difficult exercise to authenticate and date Boivin pieces without referring to the jeweler's archives," said Mr. Lunel of Christie's.

The New York Times

Set in the remote mountains of Afghanistan and Pakistan, it would be a difficult exercise in fact-checking for any publisher.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

The Ravel, like so many of his orchestra showpieces, began life as a particularly difficult exercise in piano virtuosity.

The New York Times - Arts

Framing the aggregate impact in terms of a single number, or even irrefutably demonstrating that the net effects are positive or negative, is a formidably difficult exercise.

The Guardian

"Portraits are still a very difficult exercise," says Christian Caujolle, who launched the Phnom Penh Photo festival and curated the Lille exhibition.

The Guardian

"It's a very difficult exercise because of the nature of the whole farming operations.

BBC

"It was a very difficult exercise….

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract processes, use "a difficult exercise" to convey the complexity and effort involved in understanding or implementing them.

Common error

Avoid using "a difficult exercise" for tasks that are merely inconvenient or require minimal effort. Reserve it for situations genuinely demanding significant skill or perseverance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a difficult exercise" functions as a noun phrase, where "difficult" modifies the noun "exercise." It describes a specific type of activity that requires considerable effort or skill. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Science & Research

8%

News & Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a difficult exercise" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively describes tasks requiring significant effort or skill. As Ludwig highlights, it appears across diverse contexts like News & Media, Science and Formal & Business, maintaining a consistent meaning. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is acceptable, and this is further supported by its presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the complexity of the task at hand, and consider related phrases like "a challenging endeavor" or "a demanding task" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging endeavor

Replaces "exercise" with "endeavor" and "difficult" with "challenging", emphasizing the demanding nature of the task.

a tough undertaking

Substitutes "exercise" with "undertaking" and "difficult" with "tough", conveying a sense of resilience required.

a demanding task

Replaces "exercise" with "task" and "difficult" with "demanding", focusing on the high requirements of the activity.

an arduous activity

Replaces "difficult" with "arduous" and "exercise" with "activity", highlighting the strenuous nature.

a strenuous effort

Substitutes "exercise" with "effort" and "difficult" with "strenuous", emphasizing the exertion involved.

a complex problem

Replaces "exercise" with "problem" and "difficult" with "complex", shifting the focus to mental intricacy.

a formidable challenge

Substitutes "difficult" with "formidable" and "exercise" with "challenge", denoting a significant obstacle.

a trying experience

Replaces "difficult" with "trying" and "exercise" with "experience", highlighting the potentially stressful nature of the activity.

a taxing job

Replaces "exercise" with "job" and "difficult" with "taxing", indicating a draining or burdensome task.

a complicated procedure

Substitutes "exercise" with "procedure" and "difficult" with "complicated", focusing on the intricate steps involved.

FAQs

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

You can use "a difficult exercise" to describe a task that requires significant effort or skill. For example, "Solving this puzzle was "a difficult exercise" for me."

What are some alternatives to "a difficult exercise"?

Some alternatives include "a challenging task", "a tough undertaking", or "a demanding job", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a difficult exercise" in formal writing?

Yes, "a difficult exercise" is suitable for formal writing when describing a complex or demanding task. However, consider the specific context and choose the most precise and impactful wording.

What is the difference between "a difficult exercise" and "a simple exercise"?

"A difficult exercise" implies a task requiring considerable effort and skill, while "a simple exercise" suggests a task that is easy and straightforward. The choice depends on the actual complexity of the activity being described.