a difficult work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a difficult work" is not correct in standard English; it should be "a difficult piece of work" or "a difficult task." You can use it when referring to a specific job or project that requires significant effort or skill.
Example: "Completing the report was a difficult piece of work, but I managed to finish it on time."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

It is a difficult work.

The Guardian - Music

It is a difficult work -- allusive, allegorical, at times surreal.

The New York Times

Strauss's "Also Sprach Zarathustra" is a difficult work to bring off.

The New York Times

Only here, in a difficult work placed last, did the chorus show a bit of understandable fatigue and strain.

The New York Times

It is what makes us fully human, but being fully human is a difficult work in progress.

The New Yorker

The program included a difficult work by Elliott Carter, "Allegro Scorrevole," which few conductors know and is a tough piece to learn at short notice.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Mr. Saarinen, a Finnish choreographer with a strong Minimalist bent, offered a more difficult work, "Gaspard," that looked deceptively static.

The New York Times - Arts

After a particularly difficult work day, I took a detour to Leisure Village.

The New York Times

This is a very difficult work written in serial form and based on a single twelve-tone row.

The New Yorker

This was most evident in a dazzling encore performance of "La Campanella" by Paganini, a fiendishly difficult work that presents one instrumental stunt after another.

The New York Times - Arts

Anton Dolin's "Variations for Four," a spectacularly difficult work from 1957 for male virtuoso dancers, made for an extreme shift.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a piece of creative output, such as a book or musical composition, it's correct to say "a difficult work". However, for general tasks and assignments, consider "a difficult task" or "a challenging job" as better alternatives.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult work" for simple or routine tasks. The phrase implies a significant level of complexity or intellectual challenge. Stick to "difficult task" or "challenging job" for broader applicability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a difficult work" functions as a noun phrase where "difficult" modifies the noun "work". It describes the characteristic of a task or piece of labor, highlighting its challenging nature. Ludwig provides several examples where the phrase is used to characterize tasks, assignments, or creative pieces.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

30%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a difficult work" is used to describe something challenging or demanding. Ludwig AI, however, suggests it's not always grammatically standard and that "a difficult task" or "a challenging job" may be more appropriate depending on the context. It's frequently seen in news, science, and wiki sources. Related phrases include "a challenging task" and "a tough assignment". When using the phrase, consider the specific context to ensure it accurately reflects the complexity or challenge involved and that it aligns with standard English grammar.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging task

Replaces "work" with "task", emphasizing a specific activity to be accomplished.

a tough assignment

Substitutes "work" with "assignment", implying a task given by someone in authority.

a demanding endeavor

Replaces "difficult" with "demanding" and "work" with "endeavor", suggesting a more ambitious and effort-intensive undertaking.

a complex undertaking

Focuses on the intricate and multifaceted nature of the task, rather than its difficulty.

a laborious undertaking

Emphasizes the considerable effort and time required, indicating the task is tiring and tedious.

a tricky situation

Shifts the focus from work to the circumstances, highlighting potential complications and the need for careful handling.

a problematic project

Highlights the potential for issues and complications throughout the endeavor.

a formidable challenge

Emphasizes the scale and difficulty of the challenge, suggesting a need for considerable effort and skill to overcome.

an arduous process

Focuses on the lengthy and strenuous nature of the process involved.

a strenuous activity

Highlights the physical or mental effort required, emphasizing the taxing nature of the activity.

FAQs

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

You can use "a difficult work" to refer to a challenging task, assignment, or endeavor. However, Ludwig AI suggests using phrases like "a difficult task" or "a challenging job" instead as they have more generality.

What are some alternatives to "a difficult work"?

You can use alternatives like "a challenging task", "a tough assignment", or "a demanding endeavor" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a difficult work"?

While frequently used, Ludwig AI points out that "a difficult work" is not always considered grammatically standard English. Depending on the context, "a difficult piece of work" or "a difficult task" might be more appropriate.

When is it appropriate to use "a difficult work" vs. "a difficult task"?

"A difficult work" is often used in the context of creative or intellectual endeavors, while "a difficult task" is more broadly applicable to any challenging activity or assignment.