are not difficult to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are not difficult to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is easy to do or understand. Example: "These instructions are not difficult to follow, even for beginners."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The reasons are not difficult to fathom.

The Economist

The reasons are not difficult to explain.

The Guardian - Opinion

They are not difficult to find.

The Guardian

"They are not difficult to accommodate," one Saudi said.

The New York Times

The political connotations are not difficult to detect here.

The New Yorker

The mechanisms behind this are not difficult to understand.

The Guardian - Opinion

And other drugs are not difficult to find.

The Economist

The free papers are not difficult to forego.

The Guardian

Higher equity requirements are not difficult to meet.

The New York Times

They are not difficult to grow, but need space.

Independent

The basic evolutionary and ecological concepts and principles are not difficult to understand.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are not difficult to" when you want to assure your audience that a task, concept, or skill is manageable and doesn't require advanced expertise.

Common error

While "are not difficult to" is acceptable, avoid overuse in contexts where active voice would be more direct and engaging. Instead of "Mistakes are not difficult to make", try "It's easy to make mistakes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are not difficult to" functions as a descriptor indicating the ease or simplicity of a task, concept, or process. Ludwig shows its widespread usage in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are not difficult to" is a versatile expression used to convey ease and simplicity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various domains, especially in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When writing, consider using it to reassure your audience that a task or concept is manageable. While "are easy to" is a more direct alternative, "are not difficult to" can be useful for downplaying potential anxieties. Be mindful of overuse and opt for active voice when appropriate. With a high expert rating, this phrase remains a valuable tool for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are quite simple to

Uses 'simple' instead of 'difficult', focusing on ease.

are not challenging to

Replaces 'difficult' with 'challenging', softening the statement.

are relatively straightforward

Emphasizes simplicity and directness more explicitly.

are fairly uncomplicated

Highlights the lack of complexity.

are easily accomplished

Focuses on the ease of completing a task.

can be readily achieved

Emphasizes the achievability of something.

do not require much effort

Highlights the minimal effort needed.

are manageable

Indicates that something is within one's ability to handle.

are within easy reach

Focuses on accessibility and attainability.

present no major hurdles

Suggests the absence of significant obstacles.

FAQs

How can I use "are not difficult to" in a sentence?

Use "are not difficult to" to express that something is easy to do or understand. For example, "These instructions "are not difficult to follow"".

What are some alternatives to "are not difficult to"?

You can use phrases like "are quite simple to", "are easily accomplished", or "are not challenging to" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "are not difficult to" or "are easy to"?

Both phrases are correct. "Are easy to" is more direct, while "are not difficult to" can sometimes be used to downplay potential concerns or anxieties about the task at hand.

When is it appropriate to use "are not difficult to" in formal writing?

"Are not difficult to" is suitable for formal writing when you need to reassure the reader that a task or concept, while potentially unfamiliar, "are relatively straightforward".