a measure of difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a measure of difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the level of challenge or complexity associated with a task, problem, or situation. Example: "The exam included a measure of difficulty that tested the students' critical thinking skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The ArmA is a measure of difficulty in passive and active function for application following focal therapy intervention and in particular for spasticity (botulinum toxin and physical) interventions.

Disability and Rehabilitation

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The term measurement is a measure of the difficulty of each item (a negative measurement indicates greater difficulty).

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

While no studies assessed the relationship between perceived difficulty and appropriateness, one study objectively varied the difficulty of the scenarios and assessed the relationship between a measure of objective difficulty and appropriateness.

BMC Health Services Research

Those caps were broken open this year, a measure of the difficulty in meeting them.

The New York Times

The vote is a measure of the difficulty Washington has in trying to bring peace to the Middle East.

The New York Times

As a measure of the difficulty of the task, the few other high-profile experiments in employee ownership, like the Weirton Steel Corporation, have quietly moved away from the concept.

The New York Times

He said it was a measure of the difficulty of the compromises lawmakers had to reach that the agreement "leaves nobody totally happy".

The New York Times

It is a measure of the difficulty of uncovering the physiological effects of medicines that experts are only now grappling with some of the drugs' serious, though rare, physical and mental effects.

The New York Times - Health

It is a measure of the difficulty of organizing this exhibition that objects were borrowed not only from collections in the Netherlands, France, Germany, Belgium and the United States, but also from across England, including cathedrals, churches, Oxford and Cambridge colleges and museums.

The New York Times - Arts

The strike was the first of its kind for the stately Quai d'Orsay, as the ministry is known, and is a measure of the difficulty the French government faces in trying to trim its welfare-sodden budget.

The New York Times

"Funny Girl" ran on Broadway from 1964 to 1967 and earned eight Tony nominations but won none - whipped that year by "Hello, Dolly!" Ms. Streisand won an Academy Award for best actress for the 1968 movie version of "Funny Girl," but the musical itself has never been revived on Broadway - a measure of the difficulty of casting Fanny.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a measure of difficulty", ensure you clearly define what metric or criteria you are using to assess the difficulty. This adds precision and credibility to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a measure of difficulty" without providing specific context or quantifiable data. Vague statements can weaken your argument and leave room for misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a measure of difficulty" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as a subject complement or an appositive. It identifies or describes a metric, standard, or method used to quantify how challenging something is. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a measure of difficulty" is a versatile phrase used to describe the degree of challenge associated with a task or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage, especially in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what criteria or metrics are being used to assess the difficulty. Common alternatives include "an indicator of complexity" and "a quantification of challenge". By providing context and avoiding overgeneralizations, you can effectively communicate the level of challenge involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a quantification of challenge

Highlights the quantification or measurement aspect of a challenge.

an evaluation of complexity

Highlights the evaluation aspect of complexity rather than explicitly stating difficulty.

an indicator of complexity

Focuses on the aspect of complexity rather than explicitly stating difficulty.

an assessment of hardship

Highlights the aspect of hardship or adversity involved.

a benchmark of trickiness

Focuses on the tricky or deceptive aspect of the difficulty.

a gauge of effort required

Emphasizes the amount of effort necessary for success.

a determination of adversity

Stresses the adverse or unfavorable conditions.

an index of laboriousness

Indicates the amount of labor involved.

a metric of demandingness

Stresses the demanding nature of something.

a yardstick of strenuousness

Points out the strenuous or vigorous nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "a measure of difficulty" in a sentence?

You can use "a measure of difficulty" to describe how challenging a task, problem, or situation is. For example, "The error rate can be used as "a measure of difficulty" of the task".

What are some alternatives to "a measure of difficulty"?

Alternatives include "an indicator of complexity", "a quantification of challenge", or "an assessment of hardship", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a measure of difficulty" or "a level of difficulty"?

Both "a measure of difficulty" and "a level of difficulty" are correct, but "a measure of difficulty" implies a more quantifiable or objective assessment, while "a level of difficulty" suggests a more subjective or general assessment.

What does it mean to use something as "a measure of difficulty"?

Using something as "a measure of difficulty" means that you are using it as a standard or indicator to evaluate or determine how challenging something is. For instance, completion time can serve as "a measure of difficulty".