fairly difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fairly difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is neither particularly easy nor particularly hard. For example, "The exam was fairly difficult, so I had to spend some extra time studying."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We spent a lot of time with that, fairly difficult.

Yale University

In this paper we address two fairly difficult problems.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

I soon discovered that Madison remains fairly difficult to reach.

The New York Times - Travel

"The talks are fairly difficult," he told Latvian radio.

The New York Times

"It's fairly difficult to counterinvade their space," Mr. Osha said.

The New York Times

"The conditions the I.M.F. is proposing are also fairly difficult".

The New York Times

DC: The dog was fairly difficult to draw.

The Guardian - Books

Still, "it's a fairly difficult challenge," he says.

MIT Technology Review

This is a fairly difficult overview of amino acids and protein structure.

Stanford University

The determination of the molar mass distribution of UHMM polymers is fairly difficult.

Polymer

And since officials' national origins are no secret, partiality is fairly difficult to conceal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fairly difficult" to communicate a level of challenge that is present but not overwhelming. It is useful when you want to avoid exaggeration or understatement.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "fairly" to modify adjectives. While grammatically sound, overuse can weaken your writing. Instead, consider more precise and descriptive words to convey the degree of difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly difficult" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating the degree of difficulty. As stated by Ludwig AI, it describes something that is neither particularly easy nor extremely hard. For example, "The task was fairly difficult."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

24%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fairly difficult" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that presents a moderate level of challenge. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. As evidenced by the examples provided, it appears frequently in various contexts, particularly News & Media, Science, and Academia. While versatile, avoid overusing "fairly" and consider more precise language when appropriate. When deciding if you want to use "fairly difficult", be mindful that it suggests a level of challenge between "easy" and "hard".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moderately challenging

Focuses on the challenge aspect, suggesting a middle ground between easy and hard.

substantially demanding

Suggests a considerable amount of effort or skill is required.

somewhat taxing

Emphasizes the demanding nature of the task or situation.

not entirely straightforward

Focuses on the lack of simplicity and potential for complications.

reasonably complex

Highlights the intricate nature of the subject matter.

not without its challenges

Acknowledges difficulty without exaggerating it.

kind of tough

More informal and colloquial, suggesting a degree of difficulty.

noticeably intricate

Draws attention to the subtle complexities involved.

not a walk in the park

Idiomatic expression indicating the task is not easy.

a bit of a struggle

Indicates that progress may be slow or require extra effort.

FAQs

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

You can use "fairly difficult" to describe tasks, concepts, or situations that present a moderate level of challenge. For example, "The exam was fairly difficult, but I managed to pass" or "Understanding quantum physics is fairly difficult for beginners".

What are some alternatives to "fairly difficult"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "moderately challenging", "somewhat taxing", or "reasonably complex".

Is it better to say "fairly difficult" or "very difficult"?

"Fairly difficult" implies a moderate level of difficulty, while "very difficult" suggests a high degree of challenge. Choose the phrase that best reflects the actual level of difficulty you want to convey.

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

It's appropriate to use "fairly difficult" when you want to accurately represent the level of challenge without exaggerating or minimizing it. It is suitable for both formal and informal writing, depending on the context.