difficult material

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult material" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to content or subjects that are challenging to understand or engage with. Example: "The professor assigned difficult material that required extensive study and preparation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Books

Education

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's difficult material.

Independent

"It was very difficult material.

The New York Times

This makes the difficult material even less emotionally bearable.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Fast has dealt with difficult material before.

The New York Times - Arts

Flanagan, who lives in Tasmania, has gamely plunged right into this difficult material.

The New York Times - Books

There is no doubt that current students are much better prepared for difficult material.

The New York Times

It also comes as a respite after some much more difficult material.

The New York Times - Books

She ends up pushing the difficult material away, saying, Don't let it get near me".

The New Yorker

The excavation of difficult material in detail and in the dry can then be undertaken.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But given Solondz's reputation and the "difficult" material contained within, that's hardly surprising.

Independent

and all three "Toy Story" movies, had a strong track record with difficult material.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing academic topics or complex issues, use "difficult material" to accurately convey the level of challenge and effort required for understanding. For example, "Students often find quantum physics to be a source of difficult material."

Common error

Avoid using "difficult material" when simpler terms like "hard" or "challenging" suffice. Overusing it in simple contexts dilutes its impact and may sound pretentious. Consider the audience and adjust your vocabulary accordingly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult material" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where 'difficult' modifies the noun 'material'. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English, denoting content or subjects that are challenging to understand or engage with. It is often used to describe academic topics, complex issues, or sensitive information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Books

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult material" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for describing challenging content across various domains. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely employed in academic, scientific, news, and literary contexts. When writing, be sure to consider the audience and context to determine if "difficult material" is the most appropriate choice, or if alternatives like "challenging content" or "complex subject matter" might better suit your needs. While versatile, "difficult material" is best reserved for situations where the content truly requires significant intellectual effort or specialized knowledge to fully grasp.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging content

Replaces "difficult" with a synonym that emphasizes the stimulating nature of the challenge, slightly shifting the focus.

complex subject matter

Focuses on the intricate and multifaceted nature of the material, highlighting intellectual depth.

sensitive information

Highlights the delicate or confidential nature of the material, often implying a need for careful handling.

taxing subject

Emphasizes the demanding or burdensome nature of the material, suggesting it requires significant effort.

arduous topic

Implies the material is steep and laborious to work through, emphasizing its rigorous nature.

thorny issue

Suggests the material is problematic or contentious, potentially leading to conflict or disagreement.

intricate details

Emphasizes the complicated and interwoven elements within the material, demanding a high level of scrutiny.

heavy subject matter

Highlights the emotionally burdensome or serious nature of the content, suggesting it may be distressing.

demanding task

Shifts the focus from the material itself to the act of engaging with it, emphasizing the effort required.

unwieldy substance

Refers more concretely to a material that is hard to manage physically or conceptually, suggesting a lack of ease.

FAQs

How can I use "difficult material" in a sentence?

You can use "difficult material" to describe topics or content that require significant effort to understand. For example, "The professor presented some "challenging content"" or "The research involved analyzing "complex subject matter"".

What are some alternatives to "difficult material"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "challenging content", "complex subject matter", "sensitive information", or "taxing subject".

When is it appropriate to use "difficult material" over simpler terms like "hard"?

"Difficult material" is best used when the subject matter requires significant intellectual effort or specialized knowledge to comprehend. "Hard" is a more general term for something that requires effort, whereas "difficult material" implies a certain level of complexity or intricacy.

Is "difficult material" a formal or informal expression?

"Difficult material" is generally considered a neutral to formal expression. It can be used in academic, professional, and news contexts. Avoid using it in very informal settings where simpler language is preferred.