has proven tricky

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has proven tricky" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or task that has been difficult or challenging to navigate or accomplish. Example: "The new software implementation has proven tricky for the team, requiring additional training sessions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

But building one has proven tricky.

The Economist

The age-sex gap has proven tricky to address.

The Guardian

And the remote-rental model has proven tricky, Netflix notwithstanding.

The Guardian

Now, CRISPR is helping speed up the process in many diverse animal models, but applying it to corals (don't be fooled — corals are animals, not plants) has proven tricky due in part to their infrequent reproduction.

Stanford University

For Morton, which produces the $1.79 canned pumpkin puree that most American bakers use as a shortcut to make pie, a wet spring has proven tricky for this year's harvest.

The Guardian

But localizing the app for Asian language speakers has proven tricky, too.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

It's not surprising that West Virginia has proven to be a tricky state for pollsters.

The New York Times

This is proving true for video; for music, it has proven trickier.

The Economist

Mastering French political code has proved tricky.

The Economist

Operating a refinery has proved tricky.

The New York Times

So far this has proved tricky.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has proven tricky", ensure the context clearly indicates what specifically is difficult or challenging. Be precise in your description.

Common error

Avoid using "has proven tricky" without specifying what aspect is difficult. Provide context to ensure clarity for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has proven tricky" functions as a predicate adjective phrase. It describes the subject by indicating that something has turned out to be more complicated or difficult than initially anticipated, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has proven tricky" effectively communicates that something has turned out to be more difficult than expected. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely accepted, appearing across various domains, including news, academia, and science. While "has proven tricky" is frequently used, it's advisable to provide specific context to what's actually tricky, ensuring clarity and precision. Alternatives such as "has turned out to be difficult" or "has been challenging" offer similar meanings, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has turned out to be difficult

Replaces "proven tricky" with a more direct expression of difficulty.

has been challenging

Substitutes "tricky" with "challenging", emphasizing the demanding nature of the situation.

has presented difficulties

Rephrases the sentence to highlight the presence of difficulties.

has been problematic

Replaces "tricky" with "problematic", suggesting issues or obstacles.

has posed a challenge

Uses a different grammatical structure to express the challenging nature.

has not been easy

Emphasizes the lack of ease in dealing with the situation.

has been complex

Replaces "tricky" with "complex", highlighting the intricate nature of the matter.

has involved complications

Highlights the presence of complicating factors.

has required careful navigation

Suggests that the situation needed careful handling to avoid problems.

has demanded considerable effort

Focuses on the significant effort required due to the tricky nature of the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "has proven tricky" in a sentence?

Use "has proven tricky" to describe a task, situation, or method that has turned out to be more difficult than initially expected. For example: "Implementing the new system "has proven tricky", requiring more training than anticipated".

What are some alternatives to saying "has proven tricky"?

You can use alternatives such as "has turned out to be difficult", "has been challenging", or "has presented difficulties" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to use "has proven tricky" or "has proved tricky"?

"Has proven tricky" and "has proved tricky" are both grammatically correct and interchangeable. The choice often depends on stylistic preference, though "has proven tricky" is more common.

In what contexts is "has proven tricky" most appropriate?

The phrase "has proven tricky" is suitable in various contexts, including describing challenges in business, science, or personal situations. It's appropriate when something seemed straightforward but encountered unexpected difficulties.