as difficult as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as difficult as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the difficulty of one task or situation to another. Example: "Learning a new language can be as difficult as mastering a musical instrument."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is as difficult as it sounds.

The New York Times

Nowcasting can be as difficult as forecasting.

The New Yorker

Success is often as difficult as failure.

The New York Times

"The schedule wasn't as difficult as it looked on paper".

The New York Times - Sports

But this issue is not as difficult as it seems.

The New York Times

The terminology makes it as difficult as anything.

The New York Times - Sports

Fortunately, this is not as difficult as it may sound.

The New York Times

Her attempt will be as difficult as it is unprecedented.

The New York Times - Sports

A notorious drunk, was she as difficult as they say?

The Guardian - Books

But staying seems as difficult as leaving the water.

The New York Times

Unlike writing, which remains as difficult as ever.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two tasks or situations using "as difficult as", ensure that both elements are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "solving this is as difficult as it gets", specify "solving this equation is as difficult as climbing Mount Everest".

Common error

Avoid using "as difficult as" when one of the elements being compared is vague or undefined. Instead of saying "this is as difficult as ever", provide a specific point of comparison or clarify what 'ever' refers to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as difficult as" serves as a comparative conjunction, linking two elements of similar difficulty. It adheres to standard grammatical rules and is recognized by Ludwig AI as correct and usable in written English. Examples illustrate its use in comparing tasks, situations, or concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as difficult as" is a commonly used and grammatically sound construction for comparing the relative difficulty of two subjects. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a versatile phrase found across diverse contexts, from news and academic writing to more informal communications. When using "as difficult as", clarity is key: ensure that both elements of the comparison are well-defined to avoid ambiguity. Remember there are several alternative phrases, such as "equally challenging as" or "just as hard as", to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equally challenging as

This alternative emphasizes the challenging nature of the comparison.

just as hard as

This alternative uses simpler language to convey the same meaning.

no easier than

This expresses the same level of difficulty using a double negative.

comparably demanding to

This alternative uses a more formal tone and emphasizes the demands involved.

on par with in terms of difficulty

This alternative specifies that the comparison is specifically about difficulty.

presents a similar level of challenge to

This is a more verbose alternative, suitable for formal writing.

bears a resemblance in difficulty to

This alternative highlights the similarity in the level of difficulty.

approaches the same degree of complexity as

This alternative focuses on the complexity aspect of the difficulty.

is in the same league of difficulty as

This alternative uses an idiomatic expression to convey the same level of difficulty.

matches the difficulty of

This alternative directly states that the difficulties are equivalent.

FAQs

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

Use "as difficult as" to compare the difficulty of two things. For example: "Learning a new language can be "as difficult as" mastering a musical instrument."

What can I say instead of "as difficult as"?

You can use alternatives like "equally challenging as", "just as hard as", or "no easier than" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "as difficult as"?

Yes, the phrase "as difficult as" is grammatically correct and commonly used to compare the difficulty of two things.

What's the difference between "as difficult as" and "more difficult than"?

"As difficult as" indicates that two things have a similar level of difficulty, while "more difficult than" indicates that one thing is harder than the other.