a difficult performance to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a difficult performance to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a challenging task or act that requires significant skill or effort to accomplish. Example: "The actor delivered a difficult performance to convey the complex emotions of the character."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It's a difficult performance to pull off precisely because Mr. Loach refuses to let the character off the hook, no matter how rough her personal times.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

What a missed opportunity, considering all of the challenges and possibilities present in a difficult performance space like the atrium.

The New York Times - Arts

In the production's defence, I should say that we saw it at a difficult performance, with only a handful of people in the audience.

The Guardian

However, it is also one of the most difficult performance measures to accurately estimate.

BMC Public Health

We had to do it because we had a very difficult performance in the late 80's and early 90's.

The New York Times

It seemed like a very difficult performance for him.

Huffington Post

She was being anything but a mountain – and her frailty made an already difficult performance even more exhausting.

The Guardian - Arts

Consequently, it is becoming increasingly difficult to ascribe a "good performance" to an individual practitioner.

European Journal of Health Economics

A good enough performance to win against a difficult team, which is important to say".

The Guardian - Sport

Nicholson's performance is a difficult act to follow and our reactions to this film are seriously affected by Ledger's untimely death.

The Guardian - Film

The most difficult role I have played is Norma, but I have to say that the most difficult performance was in a play by Carles Santos, a groundbreaking composer who wrote a play in which the singers were literally floating in the air- hanging in a harness.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a difficult performance to", ensure that the context clearly identifies what makes the performance challenging. Provide specific examples of the skills or efforts required to overcome those challenges for greater impact.

Common error

Avoid stating that something is "a difficult performance to" without providing specific details about why it is challenging. Broad statements can weaken your argument. Instead, specify the hurdles, complexities, or required skills to enhance clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a difficult performance to" functions as a pre-modifier in a sentence, adding descriptive detail about the nature of the 'performance'. It indicates that the performance in question presents significant challenges. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a difficult performance to" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a performance or task that presents significant challenges. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid but rare in usage. It is most commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts, and its purpose is to convey the effort, skill, or complexity required for successful completion. While versatile, it's important to specify the challenges involved to avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives such as "a challenging performance to" or "a demanding performance to" can provide slightly different nuances, depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging act to

Changes the noun from "performance" to "act", emphasizing the specific instance of performing.

a demanding performance to

Replaces "difficult" with "demanding", highlighting the effort required.

a tough performance to

Substitutes "difficult" with "tough", suggesting resilience is needed.

a complex performance to

Replaces "difficult" with "complex", focusing on the intricate nature of the performance.

a problematic performance to

Substitutes "difficult" with "problematic", suggesting issues or obstacles during the performance.

a strenuous performance to

Replaces "difficult" with "strenuous", emphasizing the physical or mental exertion.

a formidable performance to

Substitutes "difficult" with "formidable", emphasizing the impressive nature of the challenge.

a trying performance to

Replaces "difficult" with "trying", focusing on the frustrating aspects.

a taxing performance to

Replaces "difficult" with "taxing", emphasizing the depleting effect of the performance.

a laborious performance to

Replaces "difficult" with "laborious", stressing the need for hard work.

FAQs

How can I use "a difficult performance to" in a sentence?

You can use "a difficult performance to" to describe a situation where someone is trying to execute a challenging action or skill. For example: "It's "a difficult performance to pull off" precisely because Mr. Loach refuses to let the character off the hook, no matter how rough her personal times."

What are some alternatives to "a difficult performance to"?

Some alternatives include "a challenging performance to", "a demanding performance to", or "a tough performance to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes "a difficult performance to" different from "a simple performance to"?

"A difficult performance to" implies that significant effort, skill, or overcoming obstacles are involved. Conversely, "a simple performance to" suggests ease and lack of complexity.

Is it better to say "a difficult performance to execute" or "a difficult performance to perform"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "a difficult performance to execute" might be slightly preferred as it emphasizes the practical aspect of carrying out the performance, whereas "perform" can feel somewhat redundant.