difficult election

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult election" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an election that presents significant challenges or complexities, either for candidates or voters. Example: "The upcoming presidential race is expected to be a difficult election, with many contentious issues at stake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The state's judges, elected by Florida citizens, have been sorting out difficult election law questions.

The New York Times

The Republicans face a difficult election in November.

The Economist

We clearly have to recover from the very difficult election.

The Guardian

Republicans are entering a potentially difficult election year.

The Washington Post

Americans have memories of Iraq and President Obama faces a difficult election campaign.

The New York Times

Mr Maduro's difficult election marks the beginning of an even trickier presidency.

The Economist

With Mr Kabila facing a difficult election race next year, repression is unlikely to let up.

The Economist

Yet without witnesses and solid evidence, proving fraud may be difficult, election officials acknowledged.

The New York Times

"Both were enormously helpful in a difficult election," said Mr. Padavan.

The New York Times

The ballots were mailed late or subject to challenge, making the counting difficult, election officials say.

The New York Times

Republican leadership would also probably balk at opening another seat in a difficult election year.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "difficult election", consider specifying the reason for the difficulty. Is it due to close polling numbers, controversial issues, or strong opposition?

Common error

Avoid using "difficult election" as a generic descriptor. Provide context to explain the specific challenges or complexities that make the election difficult.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult election" functions as a descriptive noun phrase, where "difficult" modifies the noun "election". It is commonly used to characterize an election that presents significant challenges or complexities. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult election" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an election characterized by significant challenges or complexities. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is appropriate for use in written English. It is primarily found in news and media contexts, often used to describe elections with tight polling numbers, controversial issues, or strong opposition. To enhance clarity, it's best practice to specify the reasons for the election's difficulty. While alternatives like "challenging election" or "tough election" exist, "difficult election" remains a standard and widely understood choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging election

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging", emphasizing the demanding nature of the election.

tough election

Substitutes "difficult" with "tough", indicating a hard-fought and competitive election.

contentious election

Highlights the presence of disputes and disagreements surrounding the election.

hard-fought election

Emphasizes the intense campaigning and competition involved in the election.

close election

Focuses on the tight margin and uncertain outcome of the election.

complicated election

Indicates that the election involves numerous complex factors and procedures.

demanding election

Highlights the high requirements and pressures faced by candidates and voters.

intense election

Focuses on the high level of excitement, activity, and scrutiny surrounding the election.

problematic election

Suggests the presence of issues and obstacles that negatively affect the election process.

troubled election

Implies disturbances, controversies, or irregularities during the election.

FAQs

What makes an election "difficult"?

An election can be considered "difficult" due to various factors, such as tight polling numbers, controversial issues, strong opposition, or complex procedures. The difficulty can affect candidates, voters, or both.

What can I say instead of "difficult election"?

You can use alternatives like "challenging election", "tough election", or "contentious election" depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "difficult election" or "hard election"?

Both "difficult election" and "hard election" are acceptable, but "difficult election" is generally preferred in more formal writing. "Hard election" might be used in more informal or conversational contexts.

How does a "difficult election" affect political strategy?

In a "difficult election", campaigns often need to focus more on voter turnout, targeted messaging, and rapid response to opposition attacks. Adaptability and data-driven decision-making become crucial.