difficult action

USAGE SUMMARY

"difficult action" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a task that is challenging to accomplish, and often involves effort, determination, and skill. For example, "John was commended for his difficult action in leading the team to victory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Walking away from them was the day's most difficult action.

The New York Times

"It is going to be a difficult action," agrees Rémi Kleiman, a partner with the law firm Eversheds Paris.

The Guardian

You may not find another until you have completed a run of difficult action sequences, and hence will have to repeat the tougher sections until you find one.

The New York Times - Tech

"Labor reductions are always the most difficult action to take, but many companies are finding it necessary in this environment," Sprint's chief executive, Daniel R. Hesse, said.

The New York Times

It's forward-looking, too, in the way it uses the control buttons: at moments of high tension, you have to hold down several at once, like Lon Chaney playing a Bach arpeggio, till you've accomplished a difficult action — fought off an attacker, say, or chopped off one of your own fingers.

The New Yorker

It was an unlucky action, a difficult action in this moment.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

With series creator Hideki Miyazaki back at the helm for Dark Souls 3 expectations for the latest in the notoriously difficult action-RPG series are probably higher than they've ever been.

The Guardian - Tech

High fuel prices, the force driving the airlines' difficult actions, provide less drama, of course.

The New York Times

"These difficult actions are necessitated by a severe drop in vehicle sales worldwide and by the need to restructure GM for long-term viability," the firm said.

The Guardian - Business

"They're not taking the difficult actions now to make the budget balanced over time," said Frank Mauro, executive director of the Fiscal Policy Institute, a left-leaning research group.

The New York Times

"Many political agreements put off the difficult actions for the next regime and that appears to be the reality for the Durban platform," said David Symons, director of environmental consultancy WSP.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "difficult action", consider specifying the qualities that make it challenging, such as complexity, risk, or required expertise.

Common error

Avoid using hyperbole when describing a "difficult action". Instead, provide specific details about the challenges involved to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult action" functions primarily as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. It identifies a specific type of action characterized by its challenging nature. Ludwig's examples show its use in describing tasks requiring effort and skill.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult action" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe tasks or undertakings that present significant challenges. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, it appears frequently in news, science, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to specify the characteristics that make the action challenging and avoid overstating the difficulty. Alternatives such as "challenging task" or "complex undertaking" can offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging task

Focuses on the demanding nature of the undertaking, highlighting the effort required.

arduous endeavor

Emphasizes the strenuous and prolonged effort involved.

complex undertaking

Highlights the intricate and multifaceted nature of the action.

demanding activity

Stresses the high requirements and expectations associated with the action.

tough assignment

Indicates a difficult or burdensome task that must be completed.

strenuous effort

Focuses on the intense physical or mental exertion required.

formidable undertaking

Highlights the challenging and potentially overwhelming nature of the task.

intricate operation

Emphasizes the detailed and complicated steps involved in the action.

taxing endeavor

Suggests that the action is physically or mentally draining.

laborious task

Highlights the significant effort and time required to complete the action.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult action" to describe a task or undertaking that requires significant effort and skill. For example: "Implementing the new policy was a "difficult action" for the management team".

What are some alternatives to "difficult action"?

Alternatives include "challenging task", "complex undertaking", or "arduous endeavor", depending on the specific context and the aspect of difficulty you want to emphasize.

Is it better to say "difficult actions" or "difficult action"?

The choice depends on whether you're referring to a single action or multiple actions. "Difficult action" refers to a single, challenging task, while "difficult actions" refers to multiple challenging tasks.

What makes a "difficult action" different from a "simple action"?

A "difficult action" involves significant challenges, complexities, and effort, often requiring specialized skills or resources. In contrast, a "simple action" is straightforward, easy to execute, and requires minimal effort or expertise.