a difficult job

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a difficult job" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used in various contexts to describe a task or responsibility that is challenging or hard to accomplish. For example: - "She took on a difficult job as the new CEO of the struggling company." - "Studying for the bar exam was a difficult job, but she was determined to pass." - "Being a single parent is a difficult job, but she manages to balance work and raising her children." - "The construction workers faced a difficult job in repairing the damaged bridge." - "Writing a novel is a difficult job, requiring dedication and perseverance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Teaching is a difficult job.

The New York Times

It has been a difficult job.

The New Yorker

CENTRAL bankers have a difficult job.

The Economist

"It's quite a difficult job.

The Guardian

Joyce has a difficult job.

The Guardian - Opinion

This was a difficult job.

The Guardian

It can be a difficult job.

The Guardian

"It's a difficult job to manage today.

The New York Times

Of course, nursing is a difficult job.

The Guardian - Opinion

That will be a difficult job.

The New York Times - Arts

He is a decent man doing a difficult job.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a difficult job" when you want to emphasize the level of effort and skill required to accomplish a task. It's a straightforward way to convey that something is not easy.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "difficult" to describe challenges. Instead, provide specific details about what makes the job hard, such as the complexity, the time constraints, or the emotional toll. This provides context and adds depth to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a difficult job" functions primarily as a noun phrase that describes a task or occupation. It uses the adjective "difficult" to modify the noun "job", indicating that the task is not easy to accomplish. Ludwig AI confirms its consistent use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis reveals that "a difficult job" is a common and correct phrase used to describe tasks or roles that require significant effort or skill. Ludwig's AI confirms its wide acceptance and consistent application across various sources. The phrase is typically used in a neutral register and serves to highlight the challenges associated with a particular undertaking, mostly in news and media contexts. Alternatives like "a challenging task" or "a tough assignment" can be used to subtly shift the focus, as they either put more emphasis on growth, or resilience, respectively. Remember to use "a" instead of "an" before "difficult" and to provide specific details to enhance your writing's clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging task

Focuses on the inherent challenge of the task itself, emphasizing the need for skill and effort.

a tough assignment

Highlights the demanding nature of the assignment, suggesting it requires resilience and determination.

an arduous undertaking

Emphasizes the prolonged effort and difficulty involved in the endeavor.

a complex undertaking

Refers to the intricate nature of the undertaking, emphasizing the mental effort.

a demanding role

Highlights the significant expectations and responsibilities associated with the role.

a trying experience

Suggests the experience will be emotionally and mentally taxing.

a Herculean effort

Implies an extraordinary amount of strength and effort is required.

a formidable challenge

Focuses on the imposing nature of the challenge, suggesting it is difficult to overcome.

a knotty problem

Highlights the intricate and perplexing nature of the problem.

a tall order

Indicates the request or task is extremely difficult to fulfill or achieve.

FAQs

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

You can use "a difficult job" to describe tasks that require significant effort and skill. For instance, "Being a surgeon is "a difficult job" because it requires precision and long hours."

What are some alternatives to saying "a difficult job"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a challenging task", "a tough assignment", or "a complex undertaking".

Is it correct to say "an difficult job"?

No, it is incorrect. Since "difficult" starts with a consonant sound, the correct article to use is "a", not "an". The correct phrase is ""a difficult job"".

What makes "a difficult job" different from "a challenging job"?

While both imply a task that isn't easy, ""a difficult job"" emphasizes the effort and hardship involved, whereas "a challenging job" may focus more on the opportunity for growth and skill development.