difficult though it may be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'difficult though it may be' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when making a statement about something that is challenging, but not impossible. For example, "Learning a new language is difficult though it may be, with dedication and practice it can be achieved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Difficult though it may be for New Yorkers to imagine, somewhere it is summer.

The New York Times

But, difficult though it may be, it is important for us to not just toss our kids the keys and wish them luck with those new-fangled apps!

University of California, Berkeley

(Difficult though it may be to think of pro hockey players as knowledge workers, that is essentially what they have become).

The New Yorker

But Mike Port just does his job, difficult though it may be, and shuts out the offending game that is played around him.

The New York Times - Sports

Difficult though it may be, we must prostrate ourselves in the face of public sentiment and continue to do so until there is genuine belief that we regret what has happened and the part we played in it".

The Guardian - Business

So unless it is prepared to let power shortages continue restricting growth, Brazil may be better off switching back towards a free market, difficult though it may be to get right.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

In the case of Timberland and Woodland, though, it may be difficult for Timberland to prove that it should be protected, Ms. Roy said.

The New York Times

Since it's largely out of production now, though, it may be difficult to find.

Huffington Post

Mr Hussein makes another important point: difficult and dangerous though it may be for the Kurds and the Baghdad government to recapture Mosul, they cannot afford to leave it alone.

Independent

Understand that some schools are extremely difficult to get into and, though it may be your dream to attend, you might not be able to get in.

WikiHow

Experience from the SIs and other professional development opportunities for faculty in the United States (described in Hilborn, 2013) indicate that faculty who receive sufficient pedagogical training using active learning prefer this strategy rather than using more passive forms of pedagogy, even though it may be difficult to maintain (e.g., Ebert-May et al., 2011).

CBE Life Sciences Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "difficult though it may be" to introduce a sense of optimism or determination after acknowledging a challenge.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult though it may be" in very casual or informal writing; simpler alternatives might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult though it may be" functions as an adverbial modifier, expressing a condition or concession. As Ludwig AI indicates, it acknowledges a potential obstacle while introducing a statement of intent or determination. Its structure allows for emphasis on the difficulty involved.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult though it may be" is a grammatically sound and useful phrase for acknowledging challenges while maintaining a sense of determination. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness in written English. While the phrase is versatile, it is more suited for neutral to formal contexts. Its use across reputable news sources, scientific publications, and academic texts attests to its authority. To enhance your writing, remember that while there are many alternative phrases, selecting one that matches the appropriate tone and register will allow you to convey the meaning accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging as it might be

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging" and restructures the sentence slightly.

hard as it might seem

Substitutes "difficult" with "hard" and uses "seem" instead of "be", slightly altering the tone.

though it presents challenges

Rephrases to focus on the challenges presented by a situation, simplifying the structure.

even if it's a struggle

Emphasizes the struggle involved, making it slightly more informal.

despite its complexities

Highlights the complexities involved, offering a more sophisticated tone.

albeit with some difficulty

Adds "albeit" to introduce the difficulty, creating a more formal tone.

though not without its trials

Emphasizes the presence of trials or tribulations.

even if it proves demanding

Replaces "difficult" with "demanding" and adds "proves" for emphasis.

arduous as it could be

Uses "arduous" to emphasize the demanding nature of the task or situation.

laborious though it may prove

The adjective laborious emphasis the effort required

FAQs

How can I use "difficult though it may be" in a sentence?

You can use "difficult though it may be" to acknowledge a challenge before stating the action or goal. For instance, "Difficult though it may be, we must persevere".

What can I say instead of "difficult though it may be"?

You can use alternatives like "challenging as it might be", "hard as it might seem", or "though it presents challenges depending on the specific context.

Which is correct: "difficult though it may be" or "although it may be difficult"?

Both "difficult though it may be" and "although it may be difficult" are grammatically correct, but the first is more concise and emphasizes the difficulty upfront. The second is a more common and straightforward construction.

What's the difference between "difficult though it may be" and "even if it's difficult"?

"Difficult though it may be" is a more formal and emphatic way of acknowledging a challenge compared to "even if it's difficult". The former is often used to introduce a sense of determination, while the latter is a simpler statement of condition.