a tricky year

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tricky year" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a year that has presented challenges or difficulties, often in a personal or professional context. Example: "Last year was a tricky year for our business, as we faced numerous unexpected obstacles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Business

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The Roses had had a tricky year.

The Guardian - Music

It'll be a tricky year being the last with Mercedes before the switch to Honda.

Independent

And it'll be a tricky year being the last with Mercedes before the switch to Honda.

Independent

Even before Thursday's concert, this had been a tricky year for Ozzfest.

The New York Times - Arts

It was a tricky year over at Tinder HQ, where former VP of marketing and co-founder Whitney Wolfe filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against the company.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Kickstarter film fest, which concluded its first UK run this past weekend in London, fell at the end of a tricky year for the company.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

When that happened, it was me figuring out, "OK, is this a good move?" I parted ways with my team, and it was a really tricky year for me.

Huffington Post

2010 was a distinctly tricky year for UK holidaymakers.

The Guardian - Travel

2018, like 2017, is going to be a very tricky year for many chief marketing officers at big companies, and for many advertisers full stop.

BBC

The improvements follow a tricky financial year.

Independent

But prime minister-elect Brown knows he faces a tricky first year in a club that he prefers to lecture more than stroke.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a tricky year", provide specific examples of the challenges encountered to give your statement more weight and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a tricky year" as a standalone statement. Instead, elaborate on the specific reasons why the year was challenging to provide context and meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tricky year" functions as a noun phrase that acts as a subject complement or object. It typically describes a specific year characterized by difficulties, complexities, or unexpected challenges. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a tricky year" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a year characterized by challenges or difficulties. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is widespread across various contexts, particularly in news and media. Alternatives such as "a challenging year" or "a difficult year" can be used interchangeably, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. When using the phrase, it's best to provide specific examples to illustrate the challenges encountered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging year

Focuses on the demanding nature of the year.

a difficult year

Emphasizes the hardship and adversity faced during the year.

a tough year

Highlights the resilience required to overcome the year's obstacles.

a problematic year

Draws attention to the various problems encountered.

a trying year

Suggests the year tested one's patience and endurance.

a testing year

Emphasizes that the year presented trials and examinations.

a taxing year

Highlights the burdensome or demanding nature of the year.

an eventful year

Highlights that the year was full of events, not necessarily negative.

a complicated year

Suggests the year involved complex situations and issues.

a demanding year

Highlights the high expectations and requirements of the year.

FAQs

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

You can use "a tricky year" to describe a period marked by difficulties. For example, "2020 was "a tricky year" for many businesses due to the pandemic".

What are some alternatives to saying "a tricky year"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a challenging year", "a difficult year", or "a tough year".

Is it grammatically correct to say "a tricky year"?

Yes, the phrase "a tricky year" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to describe a year that presented significant challenges or complexities.

What makes a year "tricky"?

A year can be considered "tricky" due to various factors such as economic downturns, unexpected personal or professional challenges, political instability, or significant social changes.