difficult requests

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult requests" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe requests that are challenging or hard to fulfill. Example: "The team faced several difficult requests from clients that required innovative solutions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

RestaurantRow.com has had its difficult requests.

The New York Times

But, he complained, what happens when the Taliban comply with the world's difficult requests?

The New York Times

The most difficult requests?

Forbes

Perhaps those more difficult requests are escalated to a human support person who can better interpret and execute them.

TechCrunch

"The power user segment really started to evolve, celebrities, actors, CEOs, investors, etc., who had really difficult requests," Chen said.

TechCrunch

I've really always had the mentality that "we can make this happen" and I've almost always said "yes" to difficult requests and challenges.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Frankly, it was a difficult request.

The New York Times - Arts

"This is going to be an extremely difficult request," said Representative John E. Sweeney, an upstate Republican close to the governor.

The New York Times

The 5,201 memorial competitors had to invent a new way to convey feelings of unspeakable grief -- a somewhat more difficult request.

The New York Times - Arts

Again, the next American president may have a difficult request in return, says Mr Hulsman: a demand that Europe undertakes a slashing reform of the common agricultural policy.Some Europeans suppose that Mr Obama is softer on Russia than Mr McCain.

The Economist

If the concierge fulfills a more difficult request, like getting you a last-minute 8 p.m. table at a restaurant that is typically booked weeks in advance, it's not uncommon to shell out $20 and up.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult requests", ensure the context clearly explains the nature of the difficulty, whether it's complexity, time constraints, or resource limitations.

Common error

Avoid simply labeling requests as "difficult" without elaborating on the specific challenges they pose. Providing details helps the audience understand the magnitude and complexity involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult requests" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where 'difficult' modifies the noun 'requests'. This combination describes the nature or quality of the requests being made, indicating that they present challenges or obstacles.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

20%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Huffington Post

8%

The New York Times - Tech

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult requests" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase to describe requests that are challenging or hard to fulfill. According to Ludwig, its primary function is to categorize requests based on their complexity, and it is used in a neutral register. While not overly frequent, the phrase appears across diverse sources like news, wikis and scientific publications. When using this phrase, ensure to provide specifics about the nature of the difficulty to enhance clarity. Consider alternatives such as "challenging requests" or "complex requests" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging requests

Focuses on the demanding nature of the requests.

complicated requests

Highlights the intricate nature of the requests.

complex requests

Emphasizes the multifaceted aspect of the requests.

demanding requests

Stresses the high expectations associated with the requests.

intricate requests

Highlights the finely detailed nature of the requests.

problematic requests

Focuses on the potential issues or obstacles associated with the requests.

tough requests

Emphasizes the difficulty in fulfilling the requests.

unreasonable requests

Highlights that the requests are exceeding reasonable bounds or expectations.

onerous requests

Highlights that the requests are involving a great deal of effort, trouble, or difficulty.

arduous requests

Emphasizes the strenuous or taxing nature of the requests.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "difficult requests"?

You can use alternatives like "challenging requests", "complicated requests", or "complex requests" depending on the specific context.

What makes a request a "difficult request"?

A "difficult request" is one that is challenging to fulfill due to its complexity, time constraints, resource limitations, or other factors that make it hard to accomplish.

Is it better to say "difficult requests" or "challenging requests"?

Both "difficult requests" and "challenging requests" are acceptable. "Challenging" may sometimes sound more positive, but the best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How do I handle "difficult requests" effectively?

Effectively handling "difficult requests" involves clear communication, careful planning, resource allocation, and potentially breaking down the request into smaller, more manageable tasks.