difficult in terms of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult in terms of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express something that is challenging or complicated to understand or accomplish. Some examples of when you might use this phrase are: - "The new project is going to be difficult in terms of budget constraints." - "The mathematics exam was difficult in terms of the number of equations we had to solve." - "The manual was difficult in terms of language, as it was written in technical terms." - "I find this topic difficult in terms of grasping all the different concepts involved." - "The job was difficult in terms of meeting tight deadlines and managing multiple tasks simultaneously."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's extremely difficult in terms of having to cope with something she's unaccustomed to," Veveer said.

The Guardian

"It has just been difficult in terms of not playing really.

The Guardian - Sport

The Katine community is said to be "difficult" in terms of relationships.

The Guardian

The situation in Aleppo is very difficult in terms of survival for these families.

The Guardian

Untangling them would be potentially difficult in terms of engineering, and costly in time and money.

Independent

wafer slicing is the most difficult in terms of semiconductor manufacturing yield.

Expert Systems with Applications

Mr. Carroll said that the decision largely to scrap the "Our Times" strategy was "difficult in terms of the human consequences, and also difficult in terms of community relations, but journalistically and financially it was an easy decision".

The New York Times

"It might make it a little more difficult in terms of seeding," Boeheim said, "but it'll make you tougher".

The New York Times - Sports

"We are starting with those subjects which are really not that difficult in terms of language — mathematics, sciences.

The Guardian

There is a dimension of the job that is just more difficult, in terms of dealing with a budgetary shortfall.

The New York Times

And for people who are amputees above your knee, that is even more difficult in terms of recovery.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult in terms of", be specific about what aspect is challenging. For example, instead of saying "The project was difficult in terms of execution", specify "The project was difficult in terms of securing funding and managing logistics."

Common error

Avoid using "difficult in terms of" without providing concrete details. Saying something is "difficult in terms of various factors" is less effective than identifying the specific factors that contribute to the difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult in terms of" functions as an adjectival modifier, specifying the aspect or area in which something is challenging. Ludwig shows that it's used to add precision to descriptions of difficulty, providing context to the challenge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult in terms of" serves to pinpoint the specific facet of a subject that poses a challenge. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts. Usage ranges from news and media to scientific and academic domains. Common alternatives involve phrases like "challenging with regard to" or "problematic concerning", each introducing slight variations in formality or emphasis. It's crucial to be specific after using "difficult in terms of" to avoid vagueness and provide meaningful context. As Ludwig examples show, authoritative sources frequently employ this phrase to add clarity to their descriptions of difficulty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging with regard to

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging" and uses "with regard to" for a slightly more formal tone.

complex in the context of

Highlights the complexity within a specific situation.

complicated regarding

Emphasizes the complexity involved, using "regarding" as a substitute for "in terms of".

problematic concerning

Substitutes "difficult" with "problematic" and "in terms of" with "concerning", highlighting potential issues.

hard in relation to

Uses "hard" instead of "difficult" and "in relation to" to specify the area of difficulty.

tough with respect to

Uses "tough" as a more informal synonym for "difficult" and "with respect to" for specifying the aspect.

arduous concerning

Replaces "difficult" with "arduous", indicating a laborious or strenuous nature.

delicate regarding

Emphasizes the sensitivity or careful handling required.

troublesome when it comes to

Indicates something causing trouble or problems.

awkward concerning

Highlights potential social challenges or lack of ease.

FAQs

What does "difficult in terms of" mean?

The phrase "difficult in terms of" is used to specify the aspect or area in which something is challenging or complex. It helps to narrow down the scope of the difficulty.

How can I use "difficult in terms of" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe something challenging. For example, "The negotiation was "difficult in terms of" reaching a consensus."

What are some alternatives to "difficult in terms of"?

Alternatives include "challenging with regard to", "problematic concerning", or "complicated regarding". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to just say "difficult" instead of "difficult in terms of"?

While you can simply say "difficult", adding "in terms of" provides more clarity. It allows you to specify the exact aspect that presents a challenge, making your statement more precise and informative.