gonna be difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gonna be difficult" is informal but can be used in written English, particularly in casual contexts.
It is typically used to express that something will be challenging or hard to accomplish. Example: "I know we want to finish this project by Friday, but it's gonna be difficult with the current workload."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"It's gonna be messy, it's gonna be difficult to do, but at some point we'll just have to try to plunge in and move forward".

Science Magazine

I'm not gonna lie, 007 status is gonna be difficult to achieve, but great hot-making cred if you can get (fake) it.

TechCrunch

It's gonna be difficult.

Huffington Post

Gonna be difficult.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

And I don't quite know how, it's gonna be a difficult strategy that needs to be pursued, and a difficult plan.

Forbes

You've gotta play it like Basquiat or Leo in Titanic; wear fingerless gloves, squint a lot, and say things like "Mister, I meet a lotta people with money, but whadda they got to show for it?" Obviously saying something like that while looking another human being in the eye with a straight face is gonna be pretty difficult, but you'll get used to it.

Vice

"The ultimate goal of imaging an exoplanet similar to our own Earth might still be feasible," she says, "but it's gonna be extremely difficult, and it will only be possible for nearby stars.

Science Magazine

If you were just to build another IDE, that's gonna be a really difficult way to build a business.

TechCrunch

13 Ben: It's gonna be pretty hard.

Functional Linguistics

"My goal is to meet them when they're at their absolute worst -- when they're coldest and the most tired and the most hungry that they're gonna be -- because the more difficult the circumstances, the more receptive the average person becomes to issues of faith".

Huffington Post

And, of course, it's difficult to see and know that Amazon is gonna be the winner.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider using more sophisticated alternatives like "challenging" or "arduous" instead of "difficult".

Common error

While "gonna be difficult" is acceptable in casual conversation, avoid it in formal reports or academic papers. Choose more precise and professional language to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gonna be difficult" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, describing a future state or event as challenging or not easily accomplished. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in contexts where tasks or situations are anticipated to pose problems.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gonna be difficult" is an informal phrase used to express that something is expected to be challenging. While it's commonly found in news, media, and less formal scientific contexts, Ludwig suggests it's best reserved for casual communication. For professional or academic writing, consider using more formal alternatives like "it will be challenging" or "it will be arduous". This ensures clarity and maintains the appropriate tone for your audience. While Ludwig AI confirms its understandability, being mindful of the register will enhance your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

going to be challenging

Replaces the informal "gonna" with the more formal "going to" and uses "challenging" as a synonym for "difficult".

going to be tough

Replaces "difficult" with "tough", conveying a sense of resilience needed to overcome the challenge.

it will prove challenging

Uses a more formal and predictive tone, emphasizing the challenging nature of a future event.

it will be no easy task

Emphasizes the absence of ease in the task, highlighting the effort required.

it won't be a walk in the park

Uses an idiom to convey that the task will not be simple or effortless.

it presents some difficulties

Focuses on the difficulties as obstacles that need to be addressed.

it will require considerable effort

Highlights the need for substantial effort to achieve the desired outcome.

it is fraught with challenges

Emphasizes that challenges are abundant and inherent in the situation.

it may not be straightforward

Indicates that the process will likely involve complexities and unexpected turns.

it involves a steep learning curve

Highlights the rapid and significant learning required to succeed.

FAQs

What does "gonna be difficult" mean?

The phrase "gonna be difficult" means that something is expected to be challenging or hard to achieve. It's an informal way of saying something "will be challenging" or "will be hard".

Is it ok to use "gonna be difficult" in professional writing?

While understandable, "gonna be difficult" is considered informal. In professional writing, it's better to use phrases like "it will be challenging" or "it will be arduous" to maintain a professional tone.

What are some alternatives to "gonna be difficult"?

Some alternatives include "going to be tough", "challenging", "arduous", or "no easy task". The best choice depends on the specific context and level of formality.

Is there a difference between "gonna be difficult" and "going to be difficult"?

"Gonna" is a shortened, informal version of "going to". So, "gonna be difficult" and "going to be difficult" have the same meaning, but the former is more casual. Using "going to be difficult" is generally safer in formal contexts.