difficult as it is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult as it is" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to acknowledge the challenge of a situation while introducing a contrasting idea or action. Example: "Difficult as it is, we must continue to push forward with our plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Her attempt will be as difficult as it is unprecedented.

The New York Times - Sports

Difficult as it is to count moose, Don's job is tougher — and more important.

The New York Times

Difficult as it is for politicians to accept, both are necessary.

The Economist

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

The New York Times - Sports

The first night is particularly difficult as it is an alien environment.

Independent

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

The New York Times

Difficult as it is, students should resist the impulse to self-censor.

The New York Times

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

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

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Difficult as it is to say, the Supreme Court made the right decision allowing the church to protest.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "difficult as it is" to acknowledge a challenge before presenting a contrasting or unexpected action, decision or point of view. For example, "Difficult as it is to accept, sometimes failure is a necessary step towards success."

Common error

Avoid using "difficult as it is" as a standalone statement. It's designed to introduce a contrasting idea, not to simply state a difficulty. A sentence fragment like "Difficult as it is." lacks the necessary contrasting clause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult as it is" functions as an introductory concessive clause. It acknowledges a challenge or obstacle before presenting a contrasting or unexpected action, decision, or point of view. As Ludwig AI explains, it's used to recognize a difficulty before introducing something that exists in spite of that difficulty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult as it is" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to introduce a contrasting point after acknowledging a challenge. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English and serves to highlight a situation's difficulty before transitioning to an opposing idea or action. It appears most frequently in news and media, with strong usage also in science, reflecting its utility in both formal and relatively neutral contexts. When writing, it's best used to set up a contrast, and should not stand alone. Alternatives include phrases like "challenging though it may be" or "hard as it might be".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging though it may be

Emphasizes the challenge more directly while still acknowledging it as a preface to another statement.

hard as it might be

Uses a more informal term ("hard") to describe the difficulty, maintaining the same structure and concessive meaning.

though it is a challenge

Reverses the structure slightly, placing the acknowledgement of difficulty in a subordinate clause.

even if it's a struggle

Employs "struggle" to denote difficulty, adding a sense of effort and perseverance.

despite its complexity

Focuses on the complex nature of the issue, implying difficulty through intricacy.

in spite of the hurdles

Uses a metaphor ("hurdles") to represent obstacles and challenges.

notwithstanding the obstacles

A more formal way of saying "despite the obstacles", maintaining a similar level of concession.

for all its difficulty

Highlights the totality of the difficulty but can sound more literary.

as tough as it gets

Emphasizes the extreme level of difficulty, implying a limit or peak.

however arduous it may be

Uses the word "arduous" which implies a long and strenuous difficulty.

FAQs

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

Use "difficult as it is" to acknowledge a challenge or obstacle before introducing a contrasting action, decision, or viewpoint. For instance, "Difficult as it is, we must proceed with the plan."

What phrases are similar to "difficult as it is"?

Similar phrases include "challenging though it may be", "hard as it might be", or "though it is a challenge".

Is it correct to use "difficult as it is" at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "difficult as it is", as it introduces a concessive clause, acknowledging the difficulty before presenting a contrasting idea.

What is the difference between "difficult as it is" and "although it is difficult"?

"Difficult as it is" places more emphasis on the difficulty as a known or understood factor, while "although it is difficult" introduces the difficulty more directly as a condition. The former often creates a slightly more emphatic tone.