a difficult feat

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression "a difficult feat" is correct and usable in written English.
It means something very difficult to achieve, and can be used as part of a sentence in all contexts. For example: "Climbing Mount Everest is a difficult feat that many people never manage to accomplish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Portage, French for "carrying place," is a graceful word for a difficult feat.

The New York Times - Travel

We've been waiting a long time to beat the All Blacks – it's such a difficult feat.

The Guardian - Sport

Just by presenting "The Oedipus Cycle" Mr. Sobel and his cast pull off a difficult feat.

The New York Times

It could be a difficult feat given how many Lib Dems consider themselves "progressive" and to the centre-left.

The Guardian

As the woman passed by, he beckoned her over and sat her down next to him (a difficult feat, since she was wearing a backpack).

The New York Times

It's this compulsion to solder melancholy to weightlessness that constantly trips up the movie; Mr. Kelly doesn't have the assurance to pull off such a difficult feat.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

If Sorenstam can shoulder the popularity of the women's game and excel at the same time, the question arises about a more difficult feat: a season grand slam.

The New York Times - Sports

With "Henry and the Cannons," he attempts what may well be a more difficult feat: conveying a small slice of "ancient" history to readers who will most likely not know  —  or comprehend  —  much of the context.

The New York Times - Books

The method is at least as sensitive as PCR, Mirkin says, and more accurate--the team could also detect a change of a single letter in the DNA, a technically difficult feat for error-prone PCR.

Science Magazine

Meanwhile, governments are under tremendous pressure from the World Bank to decrease budget deficits, and balancing competing water demands is a politically difficult feat.

The New York Times

In 1919 winning both races was a more difficult feat than it would be later, because Pimlico Race Course staged its event just four days after the running of the Derby, leaving little time for training.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a difficult feat", ensure the context clearly establishes what makes the achievement challenging. Provide specific details to highlight the magnitude of the accomplishment.

Common error

Avoid using "a difficult feat" when the accomplishment is merely moderately challenging. Reserve it for situations where the achievement truly represents a significant hurdle overcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a difficult feat" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It describes an achievement or accomplishment that is challenging to execute. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Wiki

14%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a difficult feat" is a noun phrase denoting a challenging accomplishment. It is grammatically correct and commonly used, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts. When writing, ensure the context clearly shows what makes the feat difficult, and avoid using it for trivial achievements. Alternatives include "a challenging accomplishment" or "a formidable task". By understanding its nuances and usage patterns, writers can effectively use "a difficult feat" to add impact and clarity to their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant challenge

Focuses on the importance and impact of the difficulty

a challenging accomplishment

This alternative replaces "difficult feat" with more formal synonyms, emphasizing the achievement aspect.

a formidable task

This option focuses on the demanding nature of the task itself.

a tough undertaking

This alternative uses a slightly more formal and neutral term for "feat".

a demanding endeavor

This option emphasizes the rigorous requirements and effort involved.

an uphill battle

This phrase uses a metaphor to describe the difficulty, suggesting a prolonged struggle.

a monumental undertaking

This implies the task is large in scale and significance, thus difficult.

no easy task

This is a more casual and direct way of expressing the difficulty.

a Herculean effort

This option implies that extreme strength or effort is required, referencing the mythological hero Hercules.

a hard nut to crack

This idiom indicates a challenge that is particularly resistant to solutions.

FAQs

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

You can use "a difficult feat" to describe an accomplishment that requires significant effort or skill. For example, "Negotiating that contract was "a difficult feat", but we succeeded."

What can I say instead of "a difficult feat"?

You can use alternatives like "a challenging accomplishment", "a formidable task", or "an uphill battle" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a difficult feat" or "a difficulty feat"?

"A difficult feat" is correct. "Difficulty" is a noun, while "difficult" is an adjective that correctly modifies the noun "feat".

What's the difference between "a difficult feat" and "a simple task"?

"A difficult feat" describes something challenging and requires significant effort, while "a simple task" is easy to accomplish and requires minimal effort.