Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.
Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
difficult affair
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"difficult affair" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It is used to describe a task, problem, or situation that is difficult to deal with. For example: Navigating the legal system was a difficult affair for the young couple.
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Encyclopedias
Science
Alternative expressions(19)
challenging situation
complex matter
tough situation
complicated business
tricky issue
problematic endeavor
delicate situation
thorny problem
arduous task
trying experience
delicate affair
difficult issue
difficult problem
difficult subject
difficult case
serious affair
knotty affair
difficult question
difficult adventure
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
13 human-written examples
A further complication arose when Bainbridge began a long and difficult affair with Colin.
News & Media
FOR the oil industry, with its sprawling and hazardous facilities, keeping on top of corrosion is a particularly difficult affair.
News & Media
Making cookies might seem like a trivial task for some, but for today's robot, it is a pretty difficult affair.
News & Media
The Prime Minister's encounter with Jeremy Paxman at the beginning of the programme had been a much more difficult affair.
News & Media
For the oil industry, with its sprawling and hazardous facilities, keeping on top of the rot is a particularly difficult affair.
News & Media
The two men went out for dinner to discuss the project: a stiff, difficult affair, which turned round on the ride home in Gosling's car.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
47 human-written examples
These bomb runs were more accurate than attacks from high altitude, but they were harrowing and difficult affairs.
News & Media
Heat transfer equations are such phenomena which mostly occur nonlinearly, hence solving them has been one of the most time-consuming and difficult affairs among researchers of heat transfer.
He even reminded her of a difficult love affair in order to evoke more suffering.
News & Media
We were destroyed by the investigation, and by enduring so much together in the five years of the difficult love affair of difficult people.
News & Media
She abandons it - to the horror of her teacher - and her artistic and spiritual life is displaced into a difficult love affair.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "difficult affair" when you want to emphasize not just the difficulty, but also the complexity and potentially drawn-out nature of a situation. It's more than just hard; it's intricate and involved.
Common error
Avoid using "difficult affair" to describe simple tasks or problems. Reserve it for situations that are genuinely complex and multifaceted. Saying "making coffee was a difficult affair" is an overstatement.
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "difficult affair" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "difficult" modifies the noun "affair". It typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence, describing a situation, task, or relationship that is challenging and complex. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.
Frequent in
News & Media
60%
Encyclopedias
20%
Science
20%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "difficult affair" effectively describes a challenging and complex situation. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Science. While synonyms such as "challenging situation" or "complex matter" exist, "difficult affair" carries a nuance of intricacy and potential for prolonged complications. Remember to reserve its use for situations that warrant its weight, avoiding overuse in simpler scenarios. Its presence in reputable sources like The Guardian and The Economist affirms its acceptability in formal and neutral registers.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
challenging situation
Replaces "affair" with "situation", focusing on the problematic circumstance rather than a specific event or matter.
complex matter
Substitutes "difficult" with "complex" and "affair" with "matter", highlighting intricacy and complication.
tough situation
Replaces "difficult" with "tough", emphasizing the hardship involved.
complicated business
Uses "complicated" instead of "difficult" and "business" instead of "affair", suggesting a complex undertaking.
tricky issue
Replaces "difficult" with "tricky" and "affair" with "issue", indicating a delicate and potentially problematic subject.
problematic endeavor
Substitutes "difficult" with "problematic" and "affair" with "endeavor", focusing on the challenges within a project or undertaking.
delicate situation
Replaces "difficult" with "delicate", implying a need for careful handling.
thorny problem
Uses a metaphorical description indicating a problem that is full of difficulties and complexities.
arduous task
Replaces "difficult" with "arduous" and "affair" with "task", highlighting the effort and exertion required.
trying experience
Substitutes with a phrase focusing on the challenging and stressful nature of an event.
FAQs
How can I use "difficult affair" in a sentence?
You can use "difficult affair" to describe challenging situations, tasks, or relationships. For example: "Negotiating the contract proved to be a "difficult affair"." or "Their love was a "difficult affair", filled with obstacles."
What are some alternatives to saying "difficult affair"?
Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "challenging situation", "complex matter", or "tough situation".
Is "difficult affair" formal or informal?
"Difficult affair" is generally considered neutral to formal. It can be used in news articles, books, and formal discussions, but it is also acceptable in less formal settings.
What makes something a "difficult affair" rather than just "difficult"?
The term "difficult affair" suggests that the situation is not only challenging but also intricate and complex, often involving multiple steps or elements. It implies a drawn-out and potentially problematic process, rather than a simple obstacle.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested