be tricky to make

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be tricky to make" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is difficult or complicated to create or produce. Example: "The recipe for this dish can be tricky to make, especially for beginners."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

But they can be tricky to make.

The New York Times

But they can be tricky to make and unreliable.

The Economist

However, conventional methods tend to work poorly for sugar-specific antibodies — in part because the glycan antigen can be tricky to make.

Nature

Though Mr. Trillin did not address the subject, carbonara can be tricky to make well, partly because it is so simple: at base, egg, cheese, cured pork, pasta and black pepper.

The New York Times - Food

"As much as it can be tricky to make an original-sounding thing, something that's new to people's ears, there's also a huge art in writing something that connects with thousands and thousands of people".

The Guardian - Music

When there are more than four cards their size shrinks so the text/content displayed on them can be tricky to make out.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Once you start securing your pictures, it will be trickier to make any adjustments.

WikiHow

Comparisons are tricky to make.

The Guardian - Film

But they're tricky to make in large sizes.

MIT Technology Review

But logic chips like the graphic synthesizer are tricky to make, with intricate circuitry.

The New York Times

Strawberry, says Parker, is tricky to make naturally because "as soon as you crush them, they go off".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "be tricky to make", consider specifying why something is difficult to create. This adds clarity and provides valuable context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "be tricky to make" as a vague statement. Instead, pinpoint the specific aspect of the creation process that poses challenges. For instance, instead of saying "This dish is tricky to make", specify "Achieving the right consistency for the sauce is tricky to make".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be tricky to make" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, characterizing the act of making something as difficult or requiring finesse. As Ludwig AI also confirms, the phrase is correct. It highlights the challenges or complexities involved in the process, prompting a need for careful attention or skill.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

27%

Science & Research

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be tricky to make" is a grammatically sound and understandable way to describe the difficulty of creating something, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While not exceedingly common, its usage is consistent across various contexts, primarily appearing in News & Media and Wiki sources. It functions as an adjective phrase to inform the audience about the challenges of a task, and it has several alternatives like "be challenging to create" or "be difficult to produce" that can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. When using this phrase, it's best to specify why something is tricky to provide clarity and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be challenging to create

Replaces "tricky" with "challenging" and "make" with "create", emphasizing the demanding nature of the task.

be difficult to produce

Substitutes "tricky" with "difficult" and "make" with "produce", highlighting the labor involved.

be complex to manufacture

Replaces "tricky" with "complex" and "make" with "manufacture", implying intricate processes.

be hard to construct

Uses "hard" instead of "tricky" and "construct" instead of "make", focusing on the effort needed for assembly.

present difficulties in making

Reformulates the phrase to emphasize the difficulties encountered during the process.

not easy to formulate

Changes the focus to the formulation aspect, implying that developing a specific plan is hard.

require skill to assemble

Highlights the level of skill needed to successfully put something together.

demand precision in crafting

Emphasizes the need for precision and high-quality workmanship.

pose a challenge to fabricate

Uses "pose a challenge" instead of "be tricky" and "fabricate" instead of "make", highlighting the difficulty in manufacturing.

not straightforward to develop

Suggests the process is complicated and not simple to achieve.

FAQs

What does "be tricky to make" mean?

The phrase "be tricky to make" means something is difficult or complicated to create or produce. It implies that the process requires skill, precision, or careful attention to avoid errors.

What can I say instead of "be tricky to make"?

You can use alternatives like "be challenging to create", "be difficult to produce", or "be complex to manufacture" depending on the context.

How do I use "be tricky to make" in a sentence?

You can use "be tricky to make" to describe a task or process that requires careful execution. For example, "Extended-release drugs can "be tricky to make" because their release mechanism must be precisely controlled."

Is it better to say "be tricky to make" or "be difficult to make"?

Both phrases are correct, but "be difficult to make" might sound more formal. "Be tricky to make" implies a need for finesse, while "be difficult to make" points to a tougher overall challenge. Choose the phrase that fits the tone and context of your writing.