a difficult procedure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a difficult procedure" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a process or method that requires significant effort, skill, or complexity to complete. Example: "The surgery was a difficult procedure that required the expertise of several specialists."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

It was a difficult procedure involving demolishing housing, relocating the residents and building new housing".

The New York Times

Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) is a difficult procedure that has become increasingly popular.

Journal of the American College of Surgeons

After a difficult procedure involving the transplanted use of her younger sister's eggs, she is the mother of school-age twins.

The New York Times - Books

Minimum viable site networks are crucial for many threatened species but their design is always a difficult procedure.

Acta Oecologica

Besides being a difficult procedure, resection also carried a high risk of profuse bleeding, infection and postoperative necrosis of the flesh.

The New York Times

Percutaneous removal of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) leads is a difficult procedure because of the consequence of massive fibrous tissue growth along the lead.

Heart Rhythm

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Hip resurfacing arthroplasty is a technically difficult procedure that has a corresponding long learning curve.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Preoperative biliary drainage in PHC is a technically difficult procedure, associated with a high risk of severe drainage-related complications that may deteriorate the patients' condition or increase the risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality after liver surgery.

BMC Gastroenterology

In various studies, prostaglandin was applied intracervically during a vaginal examination; however, especially for an unripe cervix, this is a very difficult procedure to perform [ 5].

BioMed Research International

A more difficult procedure is the grafting of a piece of oyster mantle into the gonad of an adult specimen together with the insertion of a shell bead nucleus.

Wikipedia

258 For example, a surgical group reported that laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a technically difficult procedure, had significantly lower rates of complications than the more traditional open cholecystectomy for management of acute cholecystitis.

British Medical Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing medical interventions or scientific experiments, use "a difficult procedure" to convey the complexity and expertise required. For example, "Performing this type of surgery is a difficult procedure".

Common error

While "a difficult procedure" highlights complexity, ensure the descriptor aligns with the actual task. Overusing this phrase can diminish its impact, especially when describing routine processes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a difficult procedure" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "difficult" modifies the noun "procedure". Ludwig AI shows examples across a variety of contexts, indicating its broad applicability. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this is a standard, grammatically sound construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a difficult procedure" is a widely used and grammatically correct phrase that describes a complex or challenging process. Ludwig AI's analysis reveals it's most commonly found in scientific and news contexts, implying a neutral to formal register. While readily understood, writers should avoid overusing the phrase to maintain its impact. Consider using alternatives such as "a challenging undertaking" or "a complex operation" to add variety to your writing. The phrase is generally well-regarded, as evidenced by its frequent use in authoritative sources like The New York Times and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging undertaking

Replaces "procedure" with "undertaking", emphasizing the effort and commitment involved.

a complex operation

Substitutes "procedure" with "operation", highlighting the intricate and multifaceted nature of the task.

a demanding process

Uses "demanding" instead of "difficult", stressing the high requirements and effort needed.

a complicated endeavor

Replaces "procedure" with "endeavor", suggesting a more ambitious and elaborate task.

a tough assignment

Substitutes "procedure" with "assignment", indicating a task that requires significant effort and resilience.

a formidable task

Emphasizes the challenging nature of the task by using the adjective "formidable".

an arduous undertaking

Uses "arduous" to highlight the strenuous and laborious nature of the process.

a painstaking method

Replaces "difficult" with "painstaking", focusing on the meticulous and careful attention required.

a rigorous approach

Substitutes "procedure" with "approach", stressing the thorough and disciplined manner of execution.

a strenuous activity

Uses "strenuous" to emphasize the physical or mental exertion required by the activity.

FAQs

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

You can use "a difficult procedure" to describe any process that requires significant skill and effort. For instance, "The doctor explained that the transplant would be "a difficult procedure" requiring a specialized team".

What's a good alternative to "a difficult procedure"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a challenging task", "a complex operation", or "a demanding process".

Is it correct to say "a difficulty procedure" instead of "a difficult procedure"?

No, the correct phrase is "a difficult procedure". The adjective "difficult" correctly modifies the noun "procedure", while "difficulty" is a noun and would be grammatically incorrect in this context.

In what contexts is "a difficult procedure" most appropriate?

"A difficult procedure" is appropriate in contexts where a high degree of skill, precision, or complexity is involved, such as in medical, scientific, or technical fields. Using it in contexts involving simple tasks may be an overstatement.