as difficult as it is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as difficult as it is" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to acknowledge the challenge of a situation while also expressing a contrasting idea or action. Example: "As difficult as it is to admit my mistakes, I know it's necessary for my growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These cases present remarkably complex legal problems because defining "war" (and its legal consequences) is as difficult as it is necessary.

University of Chicago

Her attempt will be as difficult as it is unprecedented.

The New York Times - Sports

But coordination among computers can be as difficult as it is among people, Farhat said.

Stanford University

You've helped illuminate a corporate challenge that is as difficult as it is important.

Harvard Business Review

Schizophrenics find empathy as difficult as it is for others to understand them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That's why this type of revitalization is as difficult as it is".

The New York Times

As difficult as it is, however, some celebrities prefer to start their own foundations.

The New York Times

As difficult as it is to confuse Manning, the Giants will show him multiple defensive looks.

The New York Times - Sports

• Forging an effective American counterterrorism policy in Yemen will be as difficult as it is necessary.

The New York Times

Now, the issue of how to understand these passages from I Peter is as difficult as it is controversial.

Yale University

But even if getting out were not as difficult as it is, many designers would hang in there anyway.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as difficult as it is", ensure the contrasting element that follows is logically connected and provides meaningful context or resolution.

Common error

Avoid using "as difficult as it is" when there is no genuine contrast or counterpoint. The phrase loses its impact if it simply reiterates the difficulty without offering a different perspective or action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as difficult as it is" functions as a concessive conjunction. It introduces a statement acknowledging a challenge or difficulty, often setting up a contrast or a surprising continuation. Ludwig examples show the phrase frequently precedes an assertion of necessity, importance, or a call to action, consistent with Ludwig AI analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

12%

Science

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as difficult as it is" is a grammatically sound and widely used construction functioning as a concessive conjunction. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It effectively acknowledges a challenge while paving the way for a contrasting point or resolution. Predominantly found in news and media, it maintains a neutral to formal tone. When employing this phrase, ensure a clear contrast follows, adding depth and balance to your writing. Its high frequency and authoritative sourcing underline its reliability as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as hard as it is

Employs "hard" in place of "difficult", which is a more direct and simple synonym.

as tricky as it is

Replaces "difficult" with "tricky", emphasizing the complexity or craftiness involved.

as challenging as it is

Substitutes "difficult" with "challenging", highlighting the demanding nature of the situation.

as complex as it is

Replaces "difficult" with "complex", focusing on the intricate and multifaceted aspects of the issue.

as tough as it is

Uses "tough" instead of "difficult", suggesting resilience is needed to face the situation.

difficult though it may be

Inverts the structure to emphasize the difficulty as a concession.

even though it is difficult

Replaces the correlative structure with a straightforward concession.

despite its difficulty

Uses a prepositional phrase to highlight the difficulty as something to overcome.

notwithstanding its difficulty

Employs a formal term to acknowledge and disregard the difficulty.

for all its difficulty

Highlights the difficulty but proceeds to introduce a contrasting point.

FAQs

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

Use "as difficult as it is" to acknowledge a challenge before introducing a contrasting idea or action. For example, "As difficult as it is to admit mistakes, it's essential for personal growth".

What are some alternatives to "as difficult as it is"?

Alternatives include phrases like "challenging as it is", "tough as it is", or "despite the challenges", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "as difficult as it was" instead of "as difficult as it is"?

Yes, both are grammatically correct, but they differ in tense. "As difficult as it was" refers to a past situation, while "as difficult as it is" refers to a present situation.

What's the difference between "as difficult as it is" and "no matter how difficult it is"?

Both phrases acknowledge difficulty, but "as difficult as it is" often implies a balancing or contrasting element, while "no matter how difficult it is" emphasizes perseverance regardless of the challenge.