as difficult as a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as difficult as a" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the difficulty of a task or situation to something else that is known to be difficult. Example: "Learning to play the violin can be as difficult as a mastering a new language."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

It was about as difficult as a spider catching flies.

The New York Times

As difficult as a potential civil war would be, it would be worth the price for Palestinian statehood.

The New York Times

Public debt is the highest in Europe, over 180% of GDP, while austerity measures make staying in the eurozone as difficult as a Grexit.

The Guardian - Books

Sure, household chores bleed into the evening, but even cumulatively they're hardly as difficult as a grueling day at the office, right?

The Washington Post

A trip can be as easy or as difficult as a visitor likes, from a weeklong whitewater expedition on the rapids of the Petawawa River to a day trip on a mirror-calm lake beside the highway.

The New York Times - Travel

Mr. Bloomberg negotiated the changes at a time when the nation's economy is growing, inflation has reached its highest level in years, and the city's budget picture is not as difficult as a year ago.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"It's about as difficult as shooting a cow in a field – it's just an ego trip.

Independent

Finding a literary agent is as difficult as finding a publisher, unless you are a celebrity, of course.

Huffington Post

Finding a stand-alone establishment is about as difficult as finding a girl not wearing platform flip-flops or a dude without a raised truck.

Vice

Some strikers make the art of goalscoring look as difficult as tackling a whole lobster with a pair of chopsticks.

The Guardian - Sport

Losing a pet can be as difficult as losing a human family member.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as difficult as a" to make complex ideas more understandable by relating them to everyday experiences.

Common error

Avoid using "as difficult as a" when the comparison is obscure or irrelevant. A weak comparison dilutes the impact and can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as difficult as a" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, used to describe the degree of difficulty of something by relating it to another entity or action. This aligns with Ludwig's examples showcasing varied scenarios where effort levels are being equated.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as difficult as a" serves as a versatile tool to convey the degree of challenge associated with a given task or situation, establishing a relatable comparison point for the audience. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable. While categorized as having an uncommon frequency, its presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its acceptance in formal writing. When deploying this construction, ensure the comparison is both clear and relevant to maintain its effectiveness and avoid weakening the intended message. Alternatives such as "just as challenging as" provide slight variations that can be tailored to specific contexts. The neutral register of the phrase allows for its use across diverse forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just as challenging as

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging" while keeping the comparative structure.

equally as hard as

Substitutes "difficult" with "hard" and maintains the comparison.

no easier than

Expresses a similar level of difficulty by negating ease.

every bit as tough as

Emphasizes the difficulty using "tough" and "every bit".

comparably complex to

Uses "complex" to describe difficulty, implying intricacy.

presents similar obstacles to

Focuses on the obstacles involved, suggesting difficulty.

poses an equivalent challenge to

Highlights the challenging nature of the comparison.

involves a similar degree of effort to

Emphasizes the effort required, indicating difficulty.

demands as much skill as

Focuses on the skill needed, suggesting a high level of difficulty.

is on par with in terms of difficulty

Indicates that the difficulty is equivalent to something else.

FAQs

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

Use "as difficult as a" to compare the level of challenge between two different tasks or situations. For example: "Solving this problem is "as difficult as a" climbing Mount Everest".

What are some alternatives to "as difficult as a"?

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

Which is correct, "as difficult as a" or "as difficult than a"?

"As difficult as a" is the correct form. "Than" is used for comparing inequalities, while "as" is used for comparing equalities or similarities.

When is it appropriate to use "as difficult as a" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the level of effort or skill required for a particular task by comparing it to something known to be challenging.