hardly difficult to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly difficult to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not very challenging or is relatively easy to do. Example: "The task was hardly difficult to complete, as I had all the necessary resources at hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Scotland's key recurring failing is hardly difficult to spot.

The Guardian - Sport

And it is hardly difficult to join the local sports leagues.

The Guardian

Grant said Liverpool were also interested in Parker's signature and it is hardly difficult to imagine him aiding Roy Hodgson's so far fitful project at Anfield.

The Guardian - Sport

The Newcastle inquest will centre upon why the striker, who is hardly difficult to spot inside the box, was granted such space.

The Guardian - Sport

Australia's politicians are hardly difficult to skewer right now, but I'd still have liked to see Anderson take the fight to them a bit more.

The Guardian

It was hardly difficult to make a "judgment" under such circumstances.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

It would hardly be difficult to introduce performance-related pay for MPs, because assessment of their performance is built into the system via our general elections.

The Guardian - Opinion

Two alarming moments for Boruc when he failed to gather worthy but hardly difficult efforts did nothing to lessen the sense that Chelsea were now well in charge.

Independent

The underlying reasons for this kid-glove treatment are hardly mysterious or difficult to surmise, particularly in light of Chávez's hostility to George Bush, the great bane of progressive folk.

Huffington Post

But with cutbacks all over the city, including in its tourism department, the decision to drop out was hardly difficult, Mayor Bob Foster said.

The New York Times

Yet it also boasts infrastructure far superior to New Orleans (its inadequacies starkly revealed by Hurricane Katrina), and a cost of living far lower than San Francisco's — hardly difficult tasks, you may say, but still it gives rise to an important urban question: how has Portland not only remained true to its identity, but remained so accessible too?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hardly difficult to" when you want to subtly convey that a task or concept is not as challenging as it might initially seem. This can be particularly effective when reassuring someone or downplaying the complexity of a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "hardly difficult to" in contexts where the task actually requires significant skill or effort. Doing so can undermine your credibility and frustrate your audience if they find the task more challenging than you implied.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly difficult to" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate the relative ease or simplicity of an action or concept. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. Examples show it describing tasks, concepts, or situations that are not particularly challenging.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hardly difficult to" is a versatile phrase used to express that something is not particularly challenging or complex. Ludwig AI analysis confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. While its primary function is to downplay complexity and reassure, it's important to use it judiciously to avoid undermining your credibility. Alternatives such as ""not particularly challenging"" and ""relatively straightforward"" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. By understanding its proper usage and potential pitfalls, you can effectively integrate "hardly difficult to" into your writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not particularly challenging

Emphasizes the absence of significant challenge.

relatively straightforward

Highlights the uncomplicated nature of something.

not overly complex

Focuses on the lack of complexity.

quite easy to do

Directly states the easiness of performing an action.

not very demanding

Indicates a lack of strenuous requirements.

easily accomplished

Highlights the ease of completion.

simple to execute

Focuses on the simplicity of carrying something out.

poses little difficulty

Emphasizes the minimal level of difficulty involved.

requires minimal effort

Highlights the small amount of effort needed.

can be done with ease

Expresses the ability to perform something easily.

FAQs

How can I use "hardly difficult to" in a sentence?

You can use "hardly difficult to" to suggest that something is easier than expected. For example, "Learning the basics of coding was "hardly difficult to" once I found the right resources."

What are some alternatives to "hardly difficult to"?

Alternatives include "not particularly challenging", "relatively straightforward", or "quite easy to do", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "not difficult" instead of "hardly difficult to"?

"Not difficult" is a more direct and straightforward statement, while ""hardly difficult to"" implies a slight surprise that something wasn't as challenging as anticipated.

What's the difference between "hardly difficult to" and "not at all difficult"?

"Hardly difficult to" suggests a mild understatement, whereas "not at all difficult" is a stronger, more emphatic assertion of ease.