highly difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

'highly difficult' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is very challenging or hard to achieve. For example: "Matt found the calculus problem he was given to be highly difficult."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Until 2001, homosexuality was considered a mental disorder in China and remains a highly difficult subject.

The New York Times

"We have a highly difficult set of issues to deal with here.

The New York Times

He suggested it would be "highly difficult, as difficult or more difficult than the original production".

The New Yorker

But since the game offers no reward for the highly difficult stealth approach, I cruelly shot them all.

The New York Times - Tech

Claudia didn't even socialize with her colleagues at the practice; they were simply grateful that she wished to treat the highly difficult patients she preferred.

The New Yorker

Technically, criminal courts can only deal with individual responsibility, which makes it highly difficult to link a foreign state to the crime.

The New Yorker

The party's rules for proportional allocation make it highly difficult for her to erase Mr. Obama's pledged delegate lead, even if she sweeps the final 10 contests.

The New York Times

It was a moment that suggested a wonderfully relaxed attitude between father and teen-age son, one I now see as highly difficult to establish and maintain.

The New Yorker

At the 2000 Grand Prix Final in Lyon, France, she became the first woman to land the highly difficult triple lutz triple loop combination.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For these reasons, operators prefer using OBDFs for highly difficult drilling (Yan 2001).

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

Generally, there are large-volume micro-tasks and highly difficult mega-tasks [36].

Brain Informatics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "highly difficult", consider the specific aspect of difficulty you want to emphasize. Is it the complexity, the effort required, or the potential for problems? Choose synonyms that reflect this nuance for greater precision.

Common error

While "highly difficult" is correct, avoid overusing "highly" as a general intensifier. Vary your vocabulary with alternatives like "extremely", "very", or more specific adjectives to maintain a sophisticated writing style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly difficult" functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the adjective "difficult". It emphasizes the extreme degree of challenge or complexity associated with a task, situation, or concept. Ludwig examples showcase its broad applicability across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

31%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "highly difficult" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase to denote a significant level of challenge or complexity. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across diverse contexts, particularly in science, news and media. While the phrase is generally acceptable, varying your vocabulary with more specific synonyms can enhance your writing's precision and sophistication. The best practice is to consider nuances and use other adjectives. Overusing "highly" should be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely challenging

Emphasizes the demanding nature of the task or situation, focusing on the challenge involved.

incredibly arduous

Highlights the effort and exertion required, suggesting a fatiguing and demanding experience.

exceptionally complex

Focuses on the intricate and multifaceted nature of the subject, implying a high degree of sophistication.

particularly problematic

Stresses the issues and complications associated, suggesting potential obstacles and setbacks.

notoriously tough

Highlights the widely recognized and established difficulty of the subject.

remarkably intricate

Emphasizes the elaborate and detailed structure, suggesting a high level of complexity and interconnectedness.

uncommonly demanding

Stresses the high requirements and expectations involved, suggesting a rigorous and exacting process.

singularly taxing

Highlights the burdensome and onerous nature, suggesting a significant drain on resources or energy.

seriously complicated

Focuses on the tangled and convoluted nature, implying a high degree of confusion and disorder.

distinctly troublesome

Highlights the potential for causing problems and difficulties, suggesting a source of worry or concern.

FAQs

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

You can use "highly difficult" to describe a task, concept, or situation that presents a significant challenge. For example, "The exam was "highly difficult", requiring extensive preparation."

What are some alternatives to "highly difficult"?

Some alternatives include "extremely challenging", "incredibly arduous", or "exceptionally complex", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "highly difficult" a formal or informal expression?

"Highly difficult" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though in very formal writing, more precise synonyms might be preferred.

What makes something "highly difficult" as opposed to just "difficult"?

The addition of "highly" intensifies the adjective, indicating that the difficulty is significantly above average. It suggests a greater degree of challenge or complexity than simply "difficult".