gravely difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gravely difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or task that is extremely challenging or serious in nature. Example: "The negotiations became gravely difficult as both parties refused to compromise on key issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

This is because of several diagnostic difficulties: the symptoms of brain microabscesses can be vague and fleeting, and such symptoms can be difficult to distinguish in gravely ill sepsis patients [ 2].

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

It is difficult enough to be injured or gravely ill.

The New York Times

Her family said she was "gravely ill" and asked for privacy "during this very difficult time".

Independent

"Honestly, before I saw what he was able to do, I was gravely concerned that Janie was going to be a very difficult, aggressive dog forever.

Huffington Post

Senior backbencher George Howarth, who is close to Straw, warned that the defeat left Labour in a 'gravely difficult position... Obviously that includes the question of the leadership'.

The Guardian

His friend nodded gravely.

The New Yorker

The girls nodded gravely.

The New Yorker

Small urchins angle gravely,.

The New Yorker

"Moke," it pronounced gravely.

The New Yorker

Thus filmmakers philosophize gravely".

The New Yorker

"Yeah," replied Jo gravely.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gravely difficult", consider the context and audience. It suggests a situation that is not only challenging but also carries significant weight or seriousness. Choose this phrase when you want to convey both aspects.

Common error

Avoid using "gravely difficult" in everyday situations where the challenge isn't truly significant. Overusing it can make your writing sound melodramatic or insincere. Opt for simpler alternatives like "very difficult" or "challenging" in less serious contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gravely difficult" functions as an intensifier followed by an adjective. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it modifies a noun or noun phrase, emphasizing the extreme level of difficulty or challenge associated with it.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gravely difficult" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe situations that are both challenging and carry significant weight. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it is a relatively rare phrase. Suitable alternatives include "extremely challenging" or "seriously challenging". When using "gravely difficult", it's important to ensure the context warrants the strong emphasis on both difficulty and seriousness to avoid sounding melodramatic. The neutral tone makes it adaptable for different situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely challenging

Focuses on the level of challenge, replacing "gravely" with "extremely" for emphasis.

seriously challenging

Emphasizes the seriousness of the challenge, using "seriously" instead of "gravely".

profoundly challenging

Highlights the depth of the challenge, swapping "gravely" for "profoundly".

acutely problematic

Shifts the focus to the problematic nature of the situation, using "acutely" to intensify the issue.

deeply concerning

Emphasizes the worry or concern the situation causes, changing the adjective to "concerning".

critically complex

Highlights the complexity of the situation, framing it as "critically complex".

dangerously precarious

Emphasizes the risk involved, focusing on the precarious nature of the situation.

highly demanding

Focuses on the demanding nature of the task or situation, highlighting the effort required.

exceedingly tough

Uses a more informal tone, replacing "gravely" and "difficult" with "exceedingly" and "tough".

intensely burdensome

Highlights the burden or weight the situation carries, focusing on the negative impact.

FAQs

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

You can use "gravely difficult" to describe situations that are extremely challenging and serious. For example, "The negotiations became gravely difficult as both parties refused to compromise."

What are some alternatives to "gravely difficult"?

Alternatives include "extremely challenging", "seriously challenging", or "profoundly challenging", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "gravely difficult" more formal than "very difficult"?

Yes, "gravely difficult" is generally more formal and suggests a greater degree of seriousness and challenge compared to the more common phrase "very difficult".

When is it appropriate to use "gravely difficult" instead of "slightly difficult"?

"Gravely difficult" should be used when the situation is extremely challenging with serious implications. If the situation is only somewhat challenging, "slightly difficult" or "somewhat challenging" would be more appropriate.