absolutely difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'absolutely difficult' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to express an emphatic feeling that something is very challenging or hard. For example: This math problem is absolutely difficult!.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It was absolutely difficult to save.

The Guardian - Money

Mr Venizelos admits "My personal [political] life this last three years [has been] absolutely difficult.

Independent

It was absolutely difficult to select a shortlist but rules are rules so here are my final choices: 1.

The Guardian - Film

"One hundred percent of my friends and colleagues said, 'You will fail,'" says Abe, who is called Shu. "It was absolutely difficult, but I was young then, so I didn't mind taking the risk".

Forbes

Yes it was absolutely difficult to adjust to a new way of living with Epilepsy at my side.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Going into April and thinking if you are not in the Champions League, you are in trouble – that has been absolutely super-difficult.

The Guardian - Sport

"We're gutted, it's absolutely shocking and difficult.

Independent

It was absolutely terrifying, and difficult to interfere with".

The New Yorker

"This was absolutely my most difficult year," Armstrong said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It has absolutely become more difficult," he said, to speak openly about sexuality and about the cultural and political climate of the past decade.

The New York Times

Harold Pinter is far and away the most talked about of living writers, chiefly because of his works which are already classics and already seem imperishable, but also because he feeds his friends with such absolutely delightful, sometimes difficult, but inimitable encounters, always accompanied by Antonia and wine.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "absolutely difficult" to emphasize the high degree of challenge or complexity involved in a situation or task. It's most effective when you want to convey a strong sense of how hard something is.

Common error

Avoid using "absolutely difficult" in very casual conversations. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or dramatic in everyday settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "really hard" or "very tough" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absolutely difficult" functions as an intensifier (absolutely) modifying an adjective (difficult). As indicated by Ludwig, it's used to express that something is significantly challenging.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "absolutely difficult" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize the high degree of challenge associated with something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples of usage in varied contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Science. While correct, consider the register and avoid overuse in informal settings, where simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. The phrase finds its best use when a strong emphasis on the difficulty is desired. While "absolutely difficult" may not be a common saying, it can have an impact when describing specific scenarios and contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely difficult

Replaces "absolutely" with "extremely" for a less emphatic but similar meaning.

very challenging

Substitutes both words for alternatives with a similar sense of difficulty.

incredibly tough

Uses "incredibly" and "tough" for a more informal but intense expression.

remarkably hard

Employs "remarkably" and "hard" to convey the unexpected nature of the difficulty.

exceptionally demanding

Replaces the original words with more formal and sophisticated vocabulary.

particularly arduous

Utilizes "particularly" and "arduous" for a stronger emphasis on the effort required.

decidedly problematic

Shifts the focus from difficulty to the troublesome nature of the situation.

exceedingly complex

Highlights the intricate and complicated aspects of the challenge.

plainly taxing

Offers a straightforward and less intense way to describe the difficulty.

seriously testing

Suggests that the situation is putting one's abilities to the limit.

FAQs

What does "absolutely difficult" mean?

The phrase "absolutely difficult" means something is extremely or utterly challenging. It emphasizes the high degree of difficulty involved.

How can I use "absolutely difficult" in a sentence?

You can use "absolutely difficult" to describe tasks, situations, or problems that are very hard to deal with. For example: "The exam was "absolutely difficult", even for the best students."

What are some alternatives to "absolutely difficult"?

Alternatives include "extremely difficult", "very challenging", or "incredibly tough" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "absolutely difficult" or "very difficult"?

"Absolutely difficult" emphasizes the difficulty more strongly than "very difficult". The best choice depends on how much emphasis you want to convey. Both phrases are grammatically correct.