a tricky

USAGE SUMMARY

'a tricky' is not correct and cannot be used in written English as it does not form a complete sentence.
You could use the word 'tricky' as part of a sentence, for example: "The problem seemed tricky at first, but I managed to solve it eventually."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A: Tricky.

The New York Times - Sports

It's a tricky job.

The Economist

It's a tricky exercise.

The Economist

Humor's a tricky business.

The New York Times

A tricky one.

The Economist

It's a tricky gamble.

Independent

It's a tricky task.

The New York Times

It's a tricky act.

The New York Times

A tricky moral moment.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's a tricky thing.

The New York Times - Books

He's a tricky one.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "a tricky" is commonly used, consider substituting it with grammatically sound alternatives for formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a tricky" as a standalone phrase. It lacks a verb and doesn't express a complete thought. Ensure it is part of a larger sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tricky" functions as a modifier describing a noun. It indicates that something requires careful handling or is difficult to deal with. Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is grammatically incomplete on its own and needs to be part of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a tricky" is frequently used to describe situations, tasks, or subjects that are difficult or require careful handling. However, Ludwig AI points out that "a tricky" is grammatically incomplete when used alone and needs to be incorporated into a complete sentence for correctness. While common in news and media, alternative phrases like "a challenging" or "a complex" may be more suitable for formal writing. Remember to use "a tricky" in full sentences to avoid grammatical errors and to consider context when choosing alternative expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a difficult problem

Focuses on the problematic aspect, a straightforward alternative to "tricky".

a challenging situation

Replaces "tricky" with "challenging", focusing on the difficulty of the situation.

a problematic endeavor

Focuses on the difficult and potentially troublesome nature of undertaking something.

a delicate matter

Emphasizes the need for careful handling, similar to the caution implied by "tricky".

a sticky situation

Emphasizes the unpleasantness and difficulty of extricating oneself from the situation.

a complex issue

Highlights the multifaceted nature of the problem, akin to the intricacies suggested by "tricky".

a thorny issue

Highlights the presence of obstacles and potential pain points, similar to the challenges implied by "tricky".

a sensitive subject

Highlights the potential for causing offense or requiring careful handling.

a touchy subject

Focuses on the need for tact and diplomacy, emphasizing potential for causing offense.

a precarious position

Suggests instability and risk, similar to the caution implied by "tricky".

FAQs

How to use "a tricky" in a sentence?

To use "a tricky" correctly, incorporate it into a full sentence. For instance, "That was "a tricky question"" or "Navigating the situation was "a tricky task"".

What can I say instead of "a tricky"?

Depending on the context, you can replace "a tricky" with phrases like "a challenging", "a difficult", or "a complex". These alternatives provide similar meaning while ensuring grammatical correctness.

Which is correct, "a tricky situation" or "tricky situation"?

"A tricky situation" is generally more grammatically correct because the article "a" precedes the adjective "tricky" to modify the noun "situation". "Tricky situation" without the article is less formal but can be acceptable in certain contexts.

What's the difference between "a tricky problem" and "a complex problem"?

While both phrases describe a difficult issue, "a tricky problem" often implies the difficulty lies in its subtlety or deceptiveness, whereas "a complex problem" suggests the difficulty arises from its many interconnected parts and intricate nature.