certainly tricky

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certainly tricky" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or problem that is undoubtedly difficult or complicated. Example: "The puzzle was certainly tricky, requiring a lot of thought and patience to solve."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It is certainly tricky to see the legal route that would allow a non-EU club within the club to start using the European Commission, European Parliament, European Court of Justice as regulatory battering rams against Fortress Britain.Mr Osborne is also right that he will be invited to monthly gatherings of EU finance ministers, despite what happened on Thursday.

The Economist

The excuse for its inaction so far has been that there are not many female candidates suitable for a company like Glencore – and it is certainly tricky to name many women who can boast a CV comparable to those of the current directors, who have presided over a 38% decline in share price and a £5bn writedown.

The Guardian - Tech

The ethical issues alone are certainly tricky, but by identifying the male eggs early, eggXYt gives the hatcheries more time to work out a solution to make use of the nearly 6 billion male eggs that are wasted annually by existing processes.

TechCrunch

It's certainly tricky to try and explain what Romanian techno sounds like.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"We have to go to people and say, 'The fundamentals of how this operates makes it everything but a scooter".' For starters, it's certainly trickier to learn.

The New York Times

So quantification of this 'mysterious muscle' is certainly trickier than the average fitness measure.

TechCrunch

Things certainly getting tricky for her.

The Guardian - Film

This is certainly a tricky assignment for OM.

The Guardian - Sport

And who takes the blame when they do?The government is certainly a tricky client.

The Economist

Posthumous publishing is certainly a tricky game, as Alexandra Alter noted recently in the Wall Street Journal.

The New Yorker

It's certainly a tricky balancing act for this VW to pull off as the car has to be both parsimonious and powerful.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "certainly tricky" with specific examples or details to provide context and credibility to your assessment. For example, "Navigating the new software is certainly tricky, especially with the frequent updates and unintuitive interface."

Common error

While "certainly tricky" is acceptable, overuse in formal contexts can diminish the impact. Vary your language by using alternatives like "undoubtedly challenging" or "assuredly complex" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certainly tricky" functions as an adverb-adjective construction used to qualify a situation or task as both assured and difficult. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct and commonly found in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "certainly tricky" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for expressing that something is undoubtedly difficult or complex. Ludwig AI validates this expression, noting its prevalence in contexts like news and media. Although the phrase is more suitable for neutral or informal registers, alternatives such as "undoubtedly challenging" or "assuredly complex" can be used in more formal settings. While "certainly tricky" is uncommon it is still a versatile phrase when acknowledging and conveying a sense of recognized difficulty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undoubtedly challenging

Emphasizes the challenging nature of the situation with no doubt.

assuredly difficult

Highlights the difficulty with a sense of assurance.

definitely complex

Shifts focus to the complexity of the matter, affirming its intricacy.

indisputably problematic

Focuses on the problematic aspects of the situation that can't be disputed.

unquestionably demanding

Stresses how demanding the situation is, leaving no room for question.

positively intricate

Highlights the intricacies involved in a confident manner.

unmistakably arduous

Draws attention to the arduous nature, making it unmistakable.

patently complicated

Emphasizes the complicated aspect that is evident.

genuinely perplexing

Focuses on the perplexing elements of the matter.

truly taxing

Highlights the taxing element with authenticity.

FAQs

What does "certainly tricky" mean?

"Certainly tricky" means something is assuredly difficult or complicated. It emphasizes both the certainty of the difficulty and the presence of complexity.

How can I use "certainly tricky" in a sentence?

You can use "certainly tricky" to describe a situation or task that is undeniably challenging. For example, "Negotiating this contract is "certainly tricky" because of the legal jargon involved."

What are some alternatives to "certainly tricky"?

Alternatives to "certainly tricky" include "undoubtedly challenging", "assuredly difficult", or "definitely complex", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "certainly tricky" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "certainly tricky" may be more suited for neutral or informal contexts. In formal writing, consider alternatives such as "undoubtedly challenging" or "assuredly complex" for a more professional tone.