a somewhat tricky

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a somewhat tricky" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or task that is not straightforward and may require careful consideration or effort. Example: "The problem presented in the exam was a somewhat tricky one, requiring deep understanding of the concepts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

But the flight attendant, it turned out, wanted wardrobe advice for a somewhat tricky wedding.

The New York Times

It's also what's made this IPO a somewhat tricky one.

TechCrunch

How (L4) relates to (L2) is then a somewhat tricky question.

SEP

Failures to sign Cesc Fabregas and Thiago Alcantara in the transfer market, combined with Chelsea's pursuit of Rooney, meant the Moyes era got off to a somewhat tricky start.

BBC

And I might have nominated Matthew Morrison, who I found charming in a somewhat tricky role.

Huffington Post

It's a somewhat tricky question to ask since rebellion against the unpopular government of Viktor Yanukovych unfolded in distinct phases with constituencies often pushing conflicting agendas.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

A somewhat trickier issue about the categorisation of Sedaris's work arose in 2007 when the journalist Alex Heard wrote an article questioning whether Sedaris's stories are as true as he claimed.

The Guardian - Books

Technical limitations based on software and network speed App developers have always dealt with a variety of hardware and software capabilities, but mobile devices now make this a somewhat trickier task.

Huffington Post

This is a somewhat trickier but highly worthwhile step -- approximately 30percentt of your FICO score is determined by "Amounts Owed," which FICO considers in relation to your debt utilization rate.

Huffington Post

That gets somewhat tricky in an economy with a lot of excess capacity.

The Economist

Calculating the volume of a square pyramid can become somewhat tricky if you aren't given information regarding either the height of the pyramid or the lengths of the sides of the base.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a somewhat tricky", consider the audience's understanding of the situation. If the task is genuinely complex, provide context or simplify the language to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "a somewhat tricky" when the situation is only mildly challenging. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and make your writing seem melodramatic. Opt for simpler alternatives like "a bit challenging" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a somewhat tricky" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the quality or characteristic of something, indicating that it possesses a degree of difficulty or complexity. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

26%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a somewhat tricky" is a useful adjective phrase for describing situations that present a moderate level of difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, ensure the level of difficulty aligns with the context and consider alternatives like "a bit challenging" or "slightly complex" for greater precision. Be mindful of potential overstatement to maintain the credibility of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slightly difficult

Replaces "tricky" with "difficult" and "somewhat" with "slightly", softening the nuance of the challenge.

a moderately challenging

Substitutes "tricky" with "challenging" and "somewhat" with "moderately", emphasizing the stimulating nature of the difficulty.

a reasonably complex

Changes "tricky" to "complex" and "somewhat" to "reasonably", focusing on the multifaceted nature of the situation.

a little problematic

Replaces "tricky" with "problematic" and "somewhat" with "a little", highlighting the potential for issues.

a bit delicate

Swaps "tricky" for "delicate" and "somewhat" for "a bit", suggesting the need for a careful approach.

somewhat intricate

Moves "somewhat" to before "intricate", emphasizing the detailed and complex nature of the situation.

rather convoluted

Replaces the entire phrase with "rather convoluted", indicating a winding and complicated nature.

not entirely straightforward

Rephrases to indicate a lack of directness or simplicity.

presents some difficulties

Shifts the phrasing to a verb-centric structure, highlighting the difficulties presented.

poses a minor challenge

Replaces "tricky" with "challenge" and shifts the structure to highlight the act of posing a challenge.

FAQs

How can I use "a somewhat tricky" in a sentence?

You can use "a somewhat tricky" to describe tasks, situations, or problems that are not straightforward and require careful handling. For example, "Negotiating the contract was "a somewhat tricky" process."

What are some alternatives to "a somewhat tricky"?

Alternatives include "a bit challenging", "slightly complex", or "moderately difficult", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a somewhat tricky" formal or informal?

The phrase "a somewhat tricky" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. It's suitable for most contexts but might be replaced with a more formal alternative like "moderately complex" in highly formal writing.

What does "a somewhat tricky" mean?

The phrase "a somewhat tricky" suggests that something is not easy or straightforward but also not overwhelmingly difficult. It implies a moderate level of complexity or potential for problems.