difficult as it may seem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'difficult as it may seem' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a task is challenging. For example, "Writing a novel is difficult as it may seem, but with enough dedication and hard work anything is possible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Luckily, the process isn't nearly as difficult as it may seem.

Forbes

Take a Vacation: As difficult as it may seem, you MUST take time off.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's not as hard as it may seem.

Huffington Post

It is not as difficult to comprehend as it may seem, and knowing even a few special words or certain phrases will help expand your understanding and appreciation of the prayer of the religion.

WikiHow

As counter-intuitive as it may seem, penetration is very difficult from this position, especially when the legs are up in the armpits.

WikiHow

This can be difficult when you have pain throbbing up and down your spine, as it may seem to come from every part of the back.

WikiHow

Strange as it may seem, it works.

The Guardian

The combination is not as outlandish as it may seem.

The New York Times - Arts

His stance is not as odd as it may seem.

The New York Times - Sports

This observation is not as facetious as it may seem.

The Economist

That is not as radical as it may seem.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "difficult as it may seem" to encourage perseverance by acknowledging the challenge while implying that it is surmountable.

Common error

While useful, "difficult as it may seem" can become repetitive. Vary your language with synonyms like "challenging" or "arduous" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult as it may seem" functions as an adverbial clause, modifying a main clause by introducing a contrasting or qualifying condition. It acknowledges a perceived challenge while implying that the challenge is not insurmountable, and encourages one to pursue a certain course of action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult as it may seem" is a versatile phrase used to acknowledge challenges while promoting perseverance. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and frequently used across various contexts, including news, wiki articles, and scientific publications. Although it appears simple, the phrase adds nuance by recognizing potential obstacles and suggesting that they are not insurmountable. Related phrases like "challenging as it might look" and "hard as it may appear" offer similar meanings, but it's important to vary your language to avoid repetition. Use this phrase to encourage action while tempering expectations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard as it may appear

Replaces "difficult" with "hard", maintaining the same meaning but with a slightly different connotation. "Appear" is a synonym of "seem".

challenging as it might look

Substitutes "difficult" with "challenging" and "seem" with "look", providing a more encouraging tone while keeping the core idea.

tough as it might be

Replaces "difficult" with "tough" and alters "may seem" to "might be", suggesting resilience is needed.

arduous as it can appear

Uses "arduous" for "difficult", indicating a strenuous effort is needed and substitutes "seem" with "appear".

demanding as it can look

Replaces "difficult" with "demanding", emphasizing the effort required and substitutes "seem" with "look".

complicated as it may sound

Substitutes "difficult" with "complicated", highlighting the complexity, and "seem" with "sound" focusing on initial perception.

intimidating as it might appear

Replaces "difficult" with "intimidating", emphasizing the fear it may inspire, and uses "appear" instead of "seem".

formidable as it may look

Replaces "difficult" with "formidable", highlighting the scale of the challenge, and "seem" with "look".

complex as it can sound

Substitutes "difficult" with "complex", focusing on the intricate nature of the situation, and substitutes "seem" with "sound".

onerous as it can appear

Replaces "difficult" with "onerous", indicating a burdensome task, and substitutes "seem" with "appear".

FAQs

What does "difficult as it may seem" mean?

The phrase "difficult as it may seem" indicates that a task or situation appears challenging or complicated, but it might not be as impossible as it initially looks. It suggests perseverance is needed, but success is attainable.

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

You can use "difficult as it may seem" to introduce a course of action that requires effort but is still achievable. For example, "Reaching your fitness goals might be "tough as it may be", but with dedication, you'll get there."

What can I say instead of "difficult as it may seem"?

You can use alternatives like "challenging as it might look", "hard as it may appear", or "intimidating as it might appear", depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "difficult as it may seem"?

While generally appropriate, "difficult as it may seem" is best used when you want to acknowledge a potential obstacle while still encouraging action. If the task is truly insurmountable, a different phrase might be more suitable.