a more dicey

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a more dicey" is not correct in standard English; it should be "dicer" or "more dicey" depending on the context.
You can use it when comparing the level of risk or uncertainty in a situation, but it is more common to use "dicey" without "a" in this context. Example: "The new investment strategy seems more dicey than the previous one."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"It's a more dicey game.

The New York Times

But Talladega and its restrictor-plate mayhem is always a more dicey beast than most tracks.

Los Angeles Times

So it was both a challenge and a risk that David Frost -- a legendary interviewer in England, but one with a more dicey rep in the States -- was willing to take when he approached Nixon's people with his mega-interview request.

Huffington Post

This regional divide, plus the continued political turbulence (which, as the above video shows, is on the brink of turning into an armed conflict), obviously makes the election a more dicey prospect – and ongoing unrest could give Putin the pretext he needs to send in his tanks, even if that unrest is in part provoked by Moscow's machinations.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Trying to nail down a figure for survival supplies is a much more dicey exercise, given the fuzzy parameters of the market.

The New York Times

"The whole travel industry is a lot more dicey now, Mr. Anolik said.

The New York Times - Travel

Damon continued to make hit films, starting up the Bourne series, amongst others, but it became a bit more dicey for Affleck.

Huffington Post

The Troll by Julia Donaldson and David Roberts (Macmillan £10.99) is the tale of an eccentric troll who knows how the old story about himself goes – his address must be under a bridge (no worries) and he must partake of a goat diet (more dicey).

The Guardian - Books

When he turns from greening Mrs. Donaldson to shielding Mrs. Forbes — adoring mother of handsome, narcissistic Graham; disapproving new mother-in-law of "plainish," capable Betty — things become a bit less kinky (for a while) and rather more dicey.

The New York Times - Books

On the other hand, the pheromones in which we're invited to believe at a pheromone party stand on more dicey science.

Vice

Withdrawal is even more dicey -- it has a 25percentt failure rate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using alternatives like "more risky" or "dicier" for improved grammatical clarity and wider acceptance.

Common error

While understandable, consistently using "a more dicey" can sound unnatural. Vary your language with synonyms such as "riskier", "more uncertain", or "more precarious" to enhance your writing's flow and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a more dicey" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It aims to modify a noun by indicating a higher degree of risk or uncertainty. However, as Ludwig AI points out, this construction is not always considered grammatically correct, with "more dicey" being a more accepted form.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a more dicey" is used to express a comparative degree of risk or uncertainty, it's grammatically debatable. Ludwig AI indicates it might not be the most standard construction. Predominantly found in news and media, its usage should be approached with caution. For clearer and more widely accepted alternatives, consider using "more dicey", "riskier", or other synonyms like "more precarious" and "more uncertain" to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

riskier

Focuses directly on the increased level of risk.

more precarious

Highlights the instability and potential for failure.

more uncertain

Emphasizes the lack of predictability or confidence.

more hazardous

Implies a greater level of danger.

more perilous

Suggests a high risk of serious harm or loss.

more chancy

A more informal way to express increased risk or uncertainty.

more problematic

Focuses on the increased difficulties or issues involved.

more delicate

Implies a situation requiring careful handling to avoid problems.

more fraught

Suggests being filled with anxiety or stress.

more sensitive

Highlights the need for careful consideration due to potential negative consequences.

FAQs

Is "a more dicey" grammatically correct?

While some sources use "a more dicey", it's generally considered less grammatically sound than "more dicey" or the single-word comparative "dicier."

What are some alternatives to "a more dicey"?

Depending on the context, you could use "riskier", "more uncertain", "more hazardous", or "more precarious".

How can I use "dicey" correctly in a sentence?

You can use "dicey" to describe a situation that is risky or uncertain. For example: "The situation is becoming increasingly dicey" or "That sounds like a dicey situation".

When should I use "more dicey" instead of "a more dicey"?

In most cases, "more dicey" is the preferred construction. The addition of "a" is generally unnecessary and can sound awkward. Use "more dicey" to compare the level of risk between two situations.