highly tricky

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "highly tricky" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very difficult or complicated to deal with or understand. Example: "The puzzle was highly tricky, requiring several hours of concentration to solve."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Proved he could manage highly tricky egos during his stewardship of such high-maintenance indidivuals as Jay‑Jay Okocha, Youri Djorkaeff and Nicolas Anelka at Bolton.

The Guardian - Sport

He is a dogged and ballsy investigative journalist who has taken on some highly tricky and litigious subjects like Robert Maxwell and Conrad Black.

The Guardian - Books

But India is downstream in another highly tricky area: its border with China.Tension already exists over the status of India's Arunachal Pradesh state, which China refuses to recognise.

The Economist

First, all managers face "hard issues whose solutions are not obvious," where the "reconciliation of profit motives and ethical imperatives is an uncertain and highly tricky matter". It is precisely the need to find those solutions and reconciliations that business ethics should address.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

And Jay Martel has some astute, if highly impractical, advice for tricky categories, such as Best Animated Short.

The New Yorker

Using this technique to create a robust cell line is tricky and highly inefficient.

MIT Technology Review

There is a potential upside to this gentle HDR approach, in that it perhaps helps explain how the film's tricky and highly varied color palette always looks beautifully balanced and authentic.

Forbes

This is a somewhat trickier but highly worthwhile step -- approximately 30percentt of your FICO score is determined by "Amounts Owed," which FICO considers in relation to your debt utilization rate.

Huffington Post

The tricky winger is highly-regarded by Moore and if he is given an opportunity, he's a talented player who could make an impact this season.

The Guardian - Sport

There are, in fact, many highly effective ways to cope with tricky post-treatment issues.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

However, we should not forget the limitation when attempting to translate our findings into the clinical fields as highly sensitive methylation analysis could be tricky because of incomplete bisulphite conversion by inexperienced analysts.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "highly tricky", consider whether a more specific adjective might provide greater clarity. For example, instead of "a highly tricky negotiation", consider "a highly sensitive negotiation" if sensitivity is the key issue.

Common error

Avoid using "highly tricky" in very informal or casual writing, as it can sound slightly stilted. Opt for simpler, more direct alternatives like "very difficult" or "really complicated" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly tricky" functions primarily as a compound adjective, modifying a noun to describe something as being particularly difficult or complex. Ludwig's examples show it used to characterize situations, tasks, or problems that require careful handling and skill.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "highly tricky" serves as a compound adjective used to describe something as particularly complex or difficult. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability, though its frequency is rare. It is mostly used in News & Media, Science, and Academia contexts. While grammatically sound and appropriate in numerous contexts, you should aim for a more specific adjective for enhanced clarity. When writing, remember to use simpler alternatives in casual scenarios. Consider ""extremely difficult"" or ""very complicated"" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Extremely difficult

Emphasizes the level of difficulty, making it a strong and direct alternative.

Very complicated

Focuses on the complex nature of the subject, highlighting intricate details.

Exceedingly complex

Similar to "very complicated" but with a stronger emphasis on the level of complexity.

Intensely challenging

Highlights the demanding and testing nature of the situation.

Remarkably intricate

Stresses the fine details and elaborate structure of the subject.

Significantly problematic

Shifts the focus to the issues and troubles associated with the situation.

Particularly sensitive

Highlights the delicate nature of the situation requiring careful handling.

Notably delicate

Focuses on the fragility and need for careful approach.

Awfully precarious

Emphasizes the instability and risk involved.

Distinctly thorny

Uses a metaphor to describe a situation full of difficulties and potential problems.

FAQs

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

You can use "highly tricky" to describe something that is very difficult or complicated. For example: "Navigating the legal landscape of international business is a "highly tricky" endeavor."

What are some alternatives to "highly tricky"?

Some alternatives to "highly tricky" include "extremely difficult", "very complicated", or "intensely challenging", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "highly tricky" formal or informal?

"Highly tricky" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It is appropriate for most writing contexts, but consider your audience when choosing between it and more casual alternatives.

What's the difference between "highly tricky" and "slightly tricky"?

"Highly tricky" indicates a significant degree of difficulty or complexity, whereas "slightly tricky" suggests something is only moderately challenging. The choice depends on the actual level of difficulty you're describing.