a tricky aspect of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tricky aspect of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a challenging or complicated part of a topic or situation. Example: "One tricky aspect of learning a new language is mastering the pronunciation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A tricky aspect of the Fed's decision is that the impact of whatever it does may not be felt for more than six months.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Furthermore, as the report points out, it creates an arbitrary division betwen patients; those with cancer will be treated for free by the NHS while those with Alzheimer's will have to pay for their own care on a means-tested basis.A further tricky aspect of the problem is the division between health care and accommodation costs.

The Economist

Certification is just one tricky aspect of an industry that Ms. Haywood said was fraught with complexity.

The New York Times

Another tricky aspect of romance with a military hero?

Huffington Post

The only tricky aspect of having such hustle and bustle below is the temptation: "We film on Saturdays, so I never go out on Friday, but on Friday nights this road is alive.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

One tricky aspect of that, however, is how search engines or media outlets should respond to requests for past missteps or embarrassments — a story about a drunken-driving arrest, say — to be pulled from online archives.

Los Angeles Times

This paper clarifies in detail one of the tricky aspects of the dataflow analysis: the verification of object initialization.

Computer Communications

This is probably the trickiest aspect of summer rolls, but a little practice makes perfect.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The marble cover was the trickiest aspect of production.

The New York Times - Arts

Gold chainmail aside, the trickiest aspect of the collection is apparently West's waffling.

The Guardian - Music

Joel Edgerton is very well cast as Daisy's husband, the bullying Tom Buchanan, while Tobey Maguire must create a character from the voice of the elusive, self-effacing Nick Carraway, the novel's narrator, which is probably the trickiest aspect of dramatising The Great Gatsby, harder even than bringing the magnetic, paradoxical, chimerical Jay Gatsby to life.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider alternative phrases if "tricky" doesn't precisely capture the nuance you intend. Is it more complicated, delicate, or problematic?

Common error

Avoid using "tricky" excessively in your writing. It can become repetitive and weaken your message. Vary your vocabulary by using more specific adjectives like "complex", "delicate", or "challenging".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tricky aspect of" functions as a noun phrase that identifies and introduces a challenging, complex, or potentially deceptive element within a broader context. It often sets the stage for further discussion or analysis of the specific difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a tricky aspect of" is a common and grammatically correct way to introduce a challenging or complex element within a given situation. Ludwig AI confirms its general usability. While "tricky" has a slightly informal tone, the phrase appears across various contexts, especially in News & Media. When using this phrase, it's essential to provide specific details about the challenge to avoid vagueness, and to consider whether a more precise adjective might better capture the intended nuance. Alternatives like "a challenging part of" or "a complicated element of" can offer a more formal or nuanced approach.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging part of

Focuses on the difficulty rather than the potential deceptiveness or complexity.

a complicated element of

Highlights the intricate and involved nature of the aspect.

a delicate point in

Emphasizes the need for careful handling and sensitivity.

a problematic feature of

Underscores the troublesome or undesirable nature of the aspect.

a difficult facet of

Similar to "challenging part", but with a slightly more formal tone.

a thorny issue within

Implies a complex and potentially contentious problem.

a subtle complexity in

Highlights the understated and nuanced nature of the complexity.

the crux of the matter

Identifies the most critical and challenging point.

the central difficulty of

Focuses on the core challenge or obstacle.

the main impediment to

Emphasizes the hindering or obstructive nature of the aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "a tricky aspect of" in a sentence?

You can use "a tricky aspect of" to introduce a challenging or complicated element of a topic or situation. For example, "A tricky aspect of project management is balancing resources and deadlines."

What can I say instead of "a tricky aspect of"?

You can use alternatives like "a challenging part of", "a complicated element of", or "a delicate point in" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a tricky aspect of" too informal for academic writing?

While "a tricky aspect of" is generally acceptable, consider using a more formal alternative like "a complex element of" or "a challenging facet of" in academic contexts to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "a tricky aspect of" and "a difficult aspect of"?

While similar, "tricky" suggests a need for careful handling or cleverness to avoid problems, whereas "difficult" simply implies that something requires effort or skill. "A tricky aspect of negotiations might involve understanding unspoken motivations, while "a difficult aspect of" coding is debugging complex algorithms.