distinctly difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "distinctly difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the clarity and intensity of the difficulty of a task or situation. Example: "The exam was distinctly difficult, leaving many students feeling overwhelmed and unprepared."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It is also distinctly difficult to hear.

The Guardian - Books

But on past form, a top-four finish seems a distinctly difficult ask.

The Guardian - Sport

Sony's specifications appeared to render the Dreamcast obsolete months before its U.S. launch, although reports later emerged that the PlayStation 2 was not as powerful as expected and distinctly difficult to program games for.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Everton's task became distinctly more difficult eight minutes after the interval, when Coleman was shown a second yellow card for a studs-up challenge on Mikel.

BBC

All of these women manage to pull off a successful writing career while more or less fulfilling traditional wifely duties for their difficult, demanding, distinctly unfeminist writer husbands (among them no less than Edmund Wilson and Robert Lowell).

The New York Times - Books

Using a similar rationale for the new MgCO3 mineral formation, it would be difficult to distinctly identify the source of Ca2+ ions for the formation of CaCO3.

International Journal of Industrial Chemistry

This is due to the real need to design cyber-physical production systems where the technological advances are merging their functionalities in a way more and more difficult to distinctly draw between the physical, computational and human components.

Mechatronics

Assimilating between two distinctly different environments is difficult to accomplish under the best of conditions.

Huffington Post

The room did have a distinctly fresh feeling, but it was difficult to tell whether that was from the air quality or just the result of a room temperature that was cooler than that of the hallway.

The New York Times - Travel

However, altering the characteristics of the distribution of MD measures by thresholding based on those same measures is questionable; this can give distinctly non-Gaussian distributions, which are difficult to analyze statistically.

Alzheimer's Research and Therapy

Comparing it to the competition is difficult as Vuze is a distinctly different offering.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "distinctly difficult" to emphasize the noticeable and significant level of challenge associated with a task, situation, or problem.

Common error

Avoid using multiple intensifiers together. While "distinctly difficult" is acceptable, phrases like "very distinctly difficult" can sound redundant and weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distinctly difficult" functions as an intensified adjective phrase, modifying a noun to emphasize the high degree of difficulty. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically sound. The adverb "distinctly" strengthens the adjective "difficult", highlighting that the difficulty is clear and noticeable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "distinctly difficult" is a grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the noticeable and significant level of challenge. As Ludwig AI confirms, its structure follows standard English grammar rules. While not overly common, it appears in various contexts, from news articles to scientific publications, with a leaning towards a neutral to professional tone. Alternatives include phrases like "patently challenging" or "clearly problematic", each offering a slightly different nuance. When using "distinctly difficult", be mindful of avoiding redundant intensifiers and ensure it aligns with the intended emphasis in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

patently challenging

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging" and "distinctly" with "patently", suggesting an obvious challenge.

clearly problematic

Substitutes "difficult" with "problematic", indicating a clear issue or concern.

obviously arduous

Replaces "difficult" with "arduous", highlighting the demanding and strenuous nature of the task.

markedly complex

Emphasizes the complexity of the situation, using "complex" instead of "difficult".

noticeably tough

Replaces "difficult" with "tough", suggesting a noticeable level of resilience required.

particularly taxing

Substitutes "difficult" with "taxing", focusing on the draining or burdensome aspect.

unquestionably demanding

Replaces "difficult" with "demanding", highlighting the high requirements and expectations.

plainly trying

Substitutes "difficult" with "trying", emphasizing the frustrating nature of the situation.

visibly intricate

Replaces "difficult" with "intricate", focusing on the complex and detailed nature of the issue.

unmistakably thorny

Substitutes "difficult" with "thorny", indicating a situation filled with challenges and potential setbacks.

FAQs

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

You can use "distinctly difficult" to describe a task or situation that presents a clear and significant challenge. For example, "The exam was "distinctly difficult", requiring extensive preparation."

What are some alternatives to "distinctly difficult"?

Some alternatives to "distinctly difficult" include phrases like "patently challenging", "clearly problematic", or "obviously arduous", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "distinctly difficult" and "very difficult"?

While both phrases indicate a high level of difficulty, "distinctly difficult" suggests that the difficulty is more noticeable and apparent. "Very difficult" is a more general expression of difficulty.

When is it appropriate to use "distinctly difficult" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "distinctly difficult" when you want to emphasize the clear and unmistakable challenge posed by a particular task, situation, or problem. It is suitable for both formal and informal writing, though more common in neutral to formal contexts.