gonna be tricky

USAGE SUMMARY

'gonna be tricky' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as an informal shorthand for the phrase “going to be tricky”. For example, "This math equation is gonna be tricky to solve."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

This is gonna be tricky for St Louis, but they've been in worse spots.

The Guardian - Sport

"But it's gonna be tricky with the label… I'm definitely not gonna be able to be on both of them".

Independent

So we know it's good for us when things have become overly simplified and extreme and we're definitely gonna need satire in the Trump era, it's just gonna be tricky".

Vice

August 29, 2013 Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) Phone call to White House gonna be tricky: Hello Mr President - err - its over to you #Syria August 29 , 2013Nick Robinson (@bbcnickrobinson) Ed Miliband just applauded as walked into Labour whips office after shock government defeat August 29 , 201310.42pm BST David Cameron's reaction to the defeat Here is what David Cameron said to Ed Milband.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Where it's gonna be, and how it's gonna be — it's gonna change.

The New Yorker

Gonna be good".

The Guardian - Sport

Gonna be checking this out.

University of California, Berkeley

This is gonna be easy".

The New Yorker

People are gonna be shocked.

The New York Times - Magazine

They're gonna be huge".

The New York Times

It's gonna be warm.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gonna be tricky" in dialogue, consider the character's voice. It can add authenticity to characters who speak casually or are less educated.

Common error

Avoid using "gonna be tricky" in formal writing, such as academic papers, business reports, or legal documents. Opt for more formal alternatives like "will be challenging" or "may present difficulties".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gonna be tricky" functions as a predictive adjective phrase, indicating that a future event or task is expected to be difficult or problematic. As noted by Ludwig, it serves to express an anticipation of challenges ahead.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gonna be tricky" is an informal phrase used to predict or anticipate difficulty in a future event or task. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English as a shorthand for "going to be tricky". It is most appropriate in casual conversations and informal writing but should be avoided in formal contexts where more professional language is required. While grammatically acceptable in informal settings, alternatives such as "will be difficult" or "may present difficulties" are better suited for formal use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is going to be complex

Replaces "gonna" with "going", and "tricky" with "complex" for a slightly more formal tone.

will be difficult

Substitutes "gonna be" with the more formal "will be", and "tricky" with "difficult".

could get complicated

Replaces "gonna be" with "could get", and "tricky" with "complicated", indicating a potential for increased complexity.

will prove challenging

Replaces the informal "gonna be" with the more formal "will prove", and "tricky" with "challenging".

might be problematic

Uses "might be" to express uncertainty and replaces "tricky" with "problematic", suggesting potential issues.

may present difficulties

Uses a more cautious tone with "may present" instead of a direct statement, and replaces "tricky" with "difficulties".

will not be easy

Emphasizes the lack of ease instead of trickiness, while keeping a similar level of formality.

will require careful handling

Focuses on the need for carefulness in dealing with the situation, rather than just its trickiness.

poses a challenge

Expresses the situation as a challenge that needs to be overcome.

necessitates a delicate approach

Highlights the need for a delicate approach, suggesting the situation requires tact and sensitivity.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "gonna be tricky" in writing?

It's appropriate in informal contexts such as blog posts, personal emails, and casual conversations. Avoid using it in formal or professional writing where a more polished tone is expected.

What are some alternatives to "gonna be tricky" for formal writing?

In formal writing, consider using alternatives such as "will prove challenging", "will be difficult", or "may present difficulties". These options maintain a professional tone.

Is "gonna be tricky" grammatically correct?

While "gonna" is a colloquial contraction of "going to", the phrase "gonna be tricky" is grammatically acceptable in informal settings. However, it's not suitable for formal writing where standard grammar is preferred.

How does the meaning of "gonna be tricky" differ from "will be tricky"?

"Gonna be tricky" and "will be tricky" have similar meanings, both indicating something will be difficult. However, "gonna be tricky" is more informal due to the use of "gonna", a contraction of "going to". Using "is going to be tricky" offers a more grammatically correct but still somewhat informal way to express the same sentiment.