difficult as it may be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult as it may be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a statement that acknowledges the challenges or difficulties of a situation while still making a point or argument. Example: "Difficult as it may be, we must face the reality of climate change and take action now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Like any other nation, Israel must find ways — difficult as it may be — to coexist peacefully with its neighbors.

The New York Times

They were, as difficult as it may be to accept, active participants in their own radicalisation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Difficult as it may be, attempting conversation within such cacophony is where the action is.

The New York Times

As difficult as it may be, network and get work experience early.

The Guardian

"So our goal, as difficult as it may be, that's what we're pushing for".

Independent

As difficult as it may be to initiate this conversation, you'll learn more about yourself and about the other person.

Columbia University

Difficult as it may be to reduce dependence on coal, nuclear power is probably the world's best shot.

The New York Times

As difficult as it may be, hospice care can be offered in the humblest of homes with the aid of community volunteers and hospice professionals.

The New York Times

With a crisis boiling over in the eurozone again, he was right not to deviate from this road, difficult as it may be.

The Guardian

"What they haven't said is that as difficult as it may be to run this program, it's worth the effort, and that's very upsetting".

The New York Times

Difficult as it may be to define economics, it is not difficult to indicate the sorts of questions that concern economists.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "difficult as it may be" to acknowledge potential challenges upfront, lending credibility and nuance to your argument or suggestion. This shows awareness and thoughtfulness.

Common error

While useful, avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "difficult as it may be". Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult as it may be" functions as an adverbial clause, modifying the main clause by expressing a concession or acknowledging a potential obstacle. Ludwig AI examples show how it commonly introduces a statement that follows despite the acknowledged difficulty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult as it may be" is a versatile phrase used to acknowledge challenges before making a statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and common, particularly in news and media. While effective, avoid overuse and consider similar expressions like "challenging though it might be" to vary your writing. This phrase functions as an adverbial clause and serves to introduce a sense of realism and nuance to your arguments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging though it might be

Changes the structure to 'challenging though it might be' to provide a different stylistic choice, still emphasizing difficulty.

hard as it might be

Replaces "difficult" with "hard" for simpler language, maintaining the core meaning of a challenging situation.

though it may be challenging

Rearranges the phrase to lead with "though", slightly altering the emphasis but keeping the meaning.

even if it is difficult

Uses a more straightforward "even if" structure, which provides a slightly less formal tone.

despite the difficulty

Simplifies the phrase to focus directly on the difficulty, suitable for concise writing.

regardless of the challenges

Shifts the focus to the challenges themselves, creating a slightly stronger sense of determination.

no matter how difficult it seems

Adds an element of perception ("seems"), suggesting that the difficulty might be subjective.

in spite of the obstacles

Replaces "difficulty" with "obstacles", which implies external hindrances to overcome.

however challenging it may prove

Uses "however" to introduce the challenge, adding a slightly more formal and emphatic tone.

daunting though it may appear

Replaces "difficult" with "daunting" and "be" with "appear" to convey that it inspires fear and possibly is more appearance than reality.

FAQs

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

The phrase "difficult as it may be" is used to introduce a statement that acknowledges the challenges or difficulties of a situation before presenting a point or course of action. For example, "Difficult as it may be, we must address the core issues."

What are some alternatives to "difficult as it may be"?

You can use alternatives such as "challenging though it might be", "hard as it might be", or "even if it is difficult" depending on the context.

Is there a difference in formality between "difficult as it may be" and "challenging though it might be"?

"Difficult as it may be" and "challenging though it might be" are generally interchangeable. "Challenging" can sometimes sound slightly more formal or positive, but the difference is minimal.

When is it inappropriate to use "difficult as it may be"?

While generally acceptable, "difficult as it may be" might sound somewhat cliché or overly formal in very casual contexts. In those cases, consider simpler phrases like "even if it's hard".