a touch tricky

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a touch tricky" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or task that is somewhat difficult or complicated. Example: "The math problem was a touch tricky, but I managed to solve it with some extra thought."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It was a challenge even for an unveiling ceremony, always a touch tricky to pull off.

Independent

So implementing any ban on ho-hum news may be a touch tricky.

The Washington Post

Nor is it that, hearing her on Desert Island Discs the other morning, she sounded just a touch tricky.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Yet juggling that code is becoming a touch trickier, as is the fact that different versions of Apple's software power its desktop computers and its new line of smart phones.

Forbes

His name may be a touch more tricky to pronounce than Ernie Els's but Charl Adriaan Schwartzel may yet follow in the world No2's illustrious footsteps.

The Guardian - Sport

Anchovies are a touch more tricky, being a perfect example of a fish that can be a good choice as long as you go for ones caught in the right place and the right way.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This can get tricky: Installing a touch screen, for example, involves cracking open the netbook's case, adding a touch-screen panel to your machine and wiring in a special controller.

Forbes

What makes it tricky to embed a Touch ID fingerprint sensor in the display is 3D Touch.

Forbes

A touch.

The New York Times - Arts

There's a group of you being all sporty and sweaty and happy, but keeping in touch is tricky, because you need both your hands to stay alive.

TechCrunch

Should he decide later to touch the tricky matter of selection, it could then be thornier still.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a touch tricky" to downplay a difficulty, making it sound manageable. This is suitable for situations where you want to avoid alarming or discouraging your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "a touch tricky" repeatedly in close proximity. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and diminish the impact of the phrase. Opt for synonyms like "slightly complicated" or "somewhat challenging" for variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a touch tricky" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a quality of mild difficulty or complexity. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is acceptable in written English. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in describing tasks or situations that require a bit of extra care or thought.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the expression "a touch tricky" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase in English, indicating something is slightly difficult or complex. As per Ludwig, it's a correct and acceptable expression. While only a few examples exist in Ludwig's database, primarily from news and media sources, its relative infrequency doesn't detract from its validity. Its usage lies on the informal side of neutral, making it suitable for accessible communication. To diversify your writing, alternatives such as "slightly complicated" or "somewhat challenging" can be employed. Using this expression sparingly and considering the context will ensure clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Slightly complicated

Replaces "touch" with "slightly" and "tricky" with "complicated", maintaining a similar level of difficulty.

Somewhat challenging

Uses "somewhat" instead of "a touch" and "challenging" instead of "tricky", suggesting a slightly more demanding situation.

A bit difficult

Replaces "touch" with "bit" and "tricky" with "difficult", providing a more straightforward alternative.

Moderately complex

Employs "moderately" and "complex" to indicate a higher degree of sophistication and difficulty.

Mildly problematic

Shifts the focus to potential problems rather than simple difficulty, implying a negative consequence.

Rather intricate

Suggests something is finely detailed and therefore difficult to understand or manage.

A shade perplexing

Uses more sophisticated vocabulary to indicate something is slightly confusing.

Not entirely straightforward

Expresses the idea in a negative way, emphasizing the lack of simplicity.

Slightly knotty

Introduces a metaphor of knots to describe a problem, implying it requires untangling.

A little involved

Indicates the situation has many elements, making it more complex than it appears.

FAQs

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

You can use "a touch tricky" to describe a task, situation, or problem that is somewhat difficult or complicated. For example: "The instructions were "a touch tricky" to follow at first."

What are some alternatives to "a touch tricky"?

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

Is "a touch tricky" formal or informal?

"A touch tricky" is generally considered informal. For more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "moderately complex" or "not entirely straightforward".

What does "a touch tricky" imply about the level of difficulty?

"A touch tricky" suggests a relatively low to moderate level of difficulty. It implies that while something might require some thought or effort, it is not overwhelmingly difficult.