a quite tricky

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a quite tricky" is not correct in standard English; it should be "quite tricky" or "a rather tricky." You can use "quite tricky" to describe something that is somewhat difficult or complicated.
Example: "The puzzle was quite tricky, requiring several hours to solve."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It's a quite tricky, protean word, "communities".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"They unfold like a novel, and such a character emerges: a radical, quite tricky and contradictory figure, but still, a human being.

The Guardian - Books

Planning a stall is quite tricky - it's got to be immediate enough to entertain kids, but interesting enough to keep adults entertained too.

The Guardian

Maintaining a pool can be quite tricky, so calling a professional is the best way to ensure crystal-clean and safe water.

WikiHow

And a wheelchair in a field would be quite tricky; muddy.

The Guardian

"Balancing living costs and setting up as a new maker can be quite tricky," said Emma Yeo, a headwear and accessories designer who has shown her work at Selfridges and during London Design Week and who has rented an SFSA studio with two other designers since January.

The New York Times - Arts

Cathy Williamson, the captivity program manager for the organization, said it had been "quite tricky" finding a location in Europe where a large natural area, a cove or bay, could be enclosed.

The New York Times - Science

Egg painting with a brush can be quite tricky.

The Guardian

Although surely putting on a jumper would be quite tricky if, like Barbie, your head was twice the width of your waist.

The Guardian - Arts

It is also worth remembering that many bluegrass tunes were written on fiddles, and, what may be easy to play on a fiddle can become quite tricky when played on guitar.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Getting perfectly round jawbreakers like you'd see in a store can be quite tricky.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity and grammatical precision, replace "a quite tricky" with alternatives such as "somewhat challenging" or "slightly difficult" depending on the intended nuance.

Common error

Avoid using "a quite tricky" in academic papers or professional reports. This phrase is considered grammatically incorrect and may diminish the credibility of your writing. Choose more appropriate alternatives to ensure clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase, while grammatically questionable according to Ludwig AI, serves as an adjective modifier indicating a degree of difficulty or complexity. It aims to convey that something requires care or skill to handle, as illustrated in examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

24%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a quite tricky" is used to describe something that presents a certain level of difficulty. While present in some sources, Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically incorrect in standard English. More appropriate alternatives include "quite tricky" or "rather tricky". The phrase appears in a variety of contexts, including news, general writing, and science, but is less common in formal academic or professional settings. When writing, especially in formal contexts, it's better to avoid "a quite tricky" and opt for grammatically correct alternatives to maintain clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rather tricky

Replaces "quite" with "rather" to provide a similar degree of intensity.

somewhat tricky

Uses "somewhat" instead of "quite" to soften the degree of difficulty.

quite challenging

Substitutes "tricky" with "challenging" to offer a more formal alternative.

a bit complicated

Replaces "tricky" with "complicated" and restructures the phrase for clarity.

slightly difficult

Emphasizes the ease of the challenge or difficulty using "slightly" instead of "quite tricky".

not so straightforward

Employs a negative construction to convey that something is not simple.

moderately complex

Offers a more formal way to indicate a task has medium-level complexity.

a little problematic

Shifts the focus to potential issues that are arising due to the problem.

fairly intricate

Indicates something is complex in its details and design.

reasonably demanding

Emphasizes the effort and skills required.

FAQs

Is "a quite tricky" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "a quite tricky" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's better to say "quite tricky" or "a rather tricky".

What's a more formal way to say "a quite tricky"?

For more formal contexts, you can use phrases like "somewhat challenging", "slightly difficult", or "moderately complex".

Can I use "a quite tricky" in informal conversations?

While not grammatically standard, "a quite tricky" might be understood in very informal conversation, but it's still best to use "quite tricky" even in those situations.

What's the difference between "a quite tricky" and "quite tricky"?

The phrase "quite tricky" is the grammatically correct form. Adding an "a" before "quite tricky" is not standard usage. Replace "a quite tricky" with "quite tricky".