fairly tricky

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fairly tricky" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is somewhat difficult or complicated, but not overwhelmingly so. Example: "The math problem was fairly tricky, requiring several steps to solve it correctly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

It's fairly tricky.

The New York Times

Obviously an important factor in any nacho recipe, but it's fairly tricky to get hold of the American cheese of choice, monterey jack, in this country.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Depending on your age or agility, getting on and off of those can be fairly tricky," said Steve Callaway, design manager of DMJM Aviation, which supervised the project.

The New York Times

She was a capable pianist who boldly sang a few arias with some fairly tricky piano parts, like the one Nannetta sings when disguised as the Queen of the Fairies in the final act of Verdi's "Falstaff".

The New York Times - Arts

Trying to explain the difference between what's real and what's pretend on a "film set" full of real people can get fairly tricky, so a more detailed explanation of the show on the guide map might have allowed me to think more carefully about taking him to it.

The Guardian - Travel

(My Xbox 360, an old school Premium model, only has ~3GB of free space. It makes buying DLC fairly tricky, yes).

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Pretty tricky.

TechCrunch

Pretty tricky, uh?

Huffington Post

Comparing coding accuracy is somewhat trickier.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

MAKING sure companies compete fairly is a tricky business.

The Economist

This might be a bit tricky, so be fairly careful, especially if your sewing isn't the best and could come loose.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fairly tricky" when you want to convey that something is somewhat difficult but not overwhelmingly so. It's a good middle-ground term to avoid exaggeration.

Common error

While "fairly tricky" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid it in highly formal or academic writing where more precise and sophisticated language might be preferred. Consider alternatives like "moderately challenging" or "somewhat complex" for such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly tricky" functions as an adjective phrase used to describe something that is moderately difficult or complicated. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is acceptable in written English. The adverb "fairly" modifies the adjective "tricky", softening its intensity. Examples from Ludwig show its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fairly tricky" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe something that is moderately difficult or complicated. It finds frequent use in news and media, as well as wiki-style content, but may be less appropriate for highly formal or academic contexts. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is a well-established expression. When a more formal tone is required, alternatives such as "moderately challenging" or "somewhat complex" can be used. The phrase effectively conveys a sense of realistic expectation without exaggerating the level of difficulty, making it a useful expression in everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moderately challenging

Replaces "tricky" with a synonym emphasizing the level of challenge is moderate.

somewhat difficult

Uses "difficult" instead of "tricky", maintaining the sense of moderate complexity.

reasonably complex

Emphasizes complexity rather than difficulty, suggesting a problem with multiple parts.

slightly complicated

Replaces "tricky" with "complicated", indicating a more detailed or involved process.

kind of tough

Uses a more informal tone while still conveying a moderate level of difficulty.

a bit demanding

Highlights the effort required, implying a moderate level of difficulty.

not entirely straightforward

Focuses on the lack of directness or simplicity in the process.

manageably intricate

Indicates the complexity can be dealt with, reducing the intensity of difficulty.

approachable complex

Highlights that while there is complexity, it remains attainable or understandable.

passably elaborate

Elaborate suggests a level of detail, and passable suggests that it can be traversed with minimal difficulty.

FAQs

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

You can use "fairly tricky" to describe a task, problem, or situation that requires some skill and effort, but isn't extremely difficult. For example: "The software installation process was "fairly tricky", but I managed to complete it with the help of a tutorial."

What are some alternatives to "fairly tricky"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "moderately challenging", "somewhat difficult", or "slightly complicated".

Is "fairly tricky" too informal for academic writing?

While "fairly tricky" is generally understandable, it might be considered too informal for some academic writing. In such cases, consider using more formal alternatives like "moderately complex" or "somewhat intricate".

What's the difference between "fairly tricky" and "very tricky"?

"Fairly tricky" suggests a moderate level of difficulty, while "very tricky" implies a much higher level of difficulty or complexity. The choice between them depends on the specific context and the degree of challenge you want to convey.