a difficult person

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a difficult person" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to someone who is hard to deal with, stubborn, or challenging in their behavior or personality. Example: "I find it challenging to work with John because he can be a difficult person."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Seeing denial in this way, some scientists argue, helps clarify when it is wise to manage a difficult person or personal situation, and when it threatens to become a kind of infectious silent trance that can make hypocrites of otherwise forthright people.

The New York Times - Health

I'm not a difficult person".

The New York Times

Assange is a difficult person, and he knows it.

The New Yorker

"I have a reputation of being a difficult person.

The New York Times

"Stew is a difficult person to work with and a difficult person to live with, and I don't think he'd argue with that.

The New York Times

Mr. Fischer was also a difficult person -- often wary and dismissive of other people.

The New York Times

She was also — and to some extent, still is — a difficult person to like.

The New York Times - Books

By this time, he had begun to acquire a reputation as a difficult person.

The New Yorker

She's a difficult person, perhaps – one of dozens in Rohmer's films.

The Guardian - Film

"Karen Silkwood was a difficult person, a very interesting, difficult person," said Nora Ephron, who wrote "Silkwood" with Alice Arlen.

The New York Times

The reason given by the letting agent was that the landlord was abroad and "quite a difficult person".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "a difficult person", provide specific examples of their behavior to avoid ambiguity and ensure clarity.

Common error

Avoid simply labeling someone as "a difficult person" without providing context or examples. This can come across as judgmental and unhelpful. Instead, focus on specific behaviors and their impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a difficult person" functions as a noun phrase, where "difficult" is an adjective modifying the noun "person". It's used to categorize an individual based on their perceived challenging nature or behavior, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Huffington Post

15%

Less common in

Vice

2%

Science Magazine

2%

Forbes

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a difficult person" is a common way to describe someone who presents challenges in interactions due to their behavior or personality. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts. While generally neutral in register, it carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting that the individual is not easy to deal with. It's important to provide specific examples of behavior when using this label to avoid vagueness or misinterpretation. Related phrases, such as ""a challenging individual"" or ""a hard person to deal with"", offer alternative ways to express similar meanings. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a hard person to deal with

Emphasizes the difficulty in managing or interacting with the person.

a challenging individual

Focuses on the challenges posed by the person's behavior or personality.

an uncooperative individual

Focuses on the person's unwillingness to work with others.

a disagreeable person

Focuses on the person's unpleasant or unfriendly nature.

a problematic character

Highlights the troubles or issues associated with the person's nature.

a demanding person

Highlights the person's high expectations and needs.

a trying individual

Highlights the person's ability to test one's patience.

a contrary soul

Suggests a disposition that opposes or resists common expectations.

an obstinate character

Emphasizes the person's stubbornness and resistance to change.

a high-maintenance person

Suggests the person requires a lot of effort and attention.

FAQs

What does it mean to describe someone as "a difficult person"?

Describing someone as "a difficult person" generally means they exhibit behaviors or personality traits that make them challenging to interact with, work with, or relate to. This can include traits like stubbornness, being argumentative, or being demanding.

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

You can use "a difficult person" in a sentence to describe someone's character or behavior. For example: "My coworker is "a difficult person" to collaborate with because he always dismisses other people's ideas."

What are some alternative phrases for "a difficult person"?

Alternatives include "a challenging individual", "a hard person to deal with", or "a problematic character". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to describe someone as "a difficult person"?

While often negative, describing someone as "a difficult person" can sometimes be neutral or even admiring. For example, it might acknowledge someone's strong will or uncompromising principles, even if these traits make them challenging to deal with.