horrendously difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "horrendously difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a task or situation that is extremely challenging or hard to accomplish. Example: "The exam was horrendously difficult, leaving many students feeling overwhelmed and anxious."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Being a politician has become a horrendously difficult job.

The Guardian - Arts

"I found Beethoven always horrendously difficult," Ms. Uchida said.

The New York Times - Arts

Full wings like this are horrendously difficult to cook evenly.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Abstract and horrendously difficult questions are asked, often not outlined to teachers in the specification.

The Guardian

He is in a horrendously difficult position and will never get everything right.

The Guardian - Tech

This means that the party has to face a horrendously difficult set of questions.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Of the latter, Mr. Salahuddin said, "One was just horrendously hard.

The New York Times

Smoke and particles in the air were even difficult: "They're horrendously expensive and they take a lot of time," says Brevig.

Forbes

You can buy fruit and vegetables that are difficult to track down or horrendously expensive at home, such as ripe quinces or, in autumn, varieties of wild mushroom, and white nectarines in summer.

The Guardian - Travel

They don't want to see that if they are intent on making abortion difficult to attain, it's horrendously cynical to block sex education and family planning wherever possible.

Huffington Post

Ubisoft Quebec should be commended for its world building, its excellent debut assassin duo and a more inclusive cast, but the heart of Assassin's Creed is so outdated, so horrendously stagnant by this year's standards, that it's difficult to truly enjoy what Syndicate brings to the table.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "horrendously difficult", ensure the context clearly illustrates the extreme level of challenge. Avoid using it for tasks that are merely inconvenient or slightly problematic.

Common error

Avoid using "horrendously difficult" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic. Opt for more nuanced descriptions of difficulty where appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "horrendously difficult" functions as an intensifier (adverb "horrendously") modifying an adjective ("difficult"). It amplifies the degree of difficulty, indicating that something is extremely challenging. As Ludwig shows, this expression is used to describe various demanding situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "horrendously difficult" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe something extremely challenging. Ludwig's analysis confirms it is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While acceptable in most writing, consider slightly more formal alternatives like "extremely challenging" or "exceptionally hard" for professional settings. Use it judiciously to maintain its impact and avoid sounding melodramatic. Overall, as Ludwig AI indicates, "horrendously difficult" is a suitable and effective way to communicate a high degree of difficulty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely challenging

Emphasizes the level of challenge involved, replacing the adverb "horrendously" with "extremely".

incredibly tough

Uses "incredibly" and "tough" to express a high degree of difficulty, differing in word choice but retaining similar intensity.

exceptionally hard

Replaces "horrendously" with "exceptionally", focusing on the extent of the difficulty.

terribly arduous

Employs "terribly" and "arduous" to suggest a demanding and strenuous level of difficulty.

prohibitively complicated

Focuses on the complexity of the task making it difficult to proceed, shifting the focus slightly from general difficulty.

formidably complex

Highlights the complexity and the intimidating nature of the difficulty.

fiendishly intricate

Suggests a cunningly difficult or complex nature, implying deliberate difficulty.

overwhelmingly demanding

Shifts the emphasis to the demanding nature of the task, suggesting that it requires significant effort and resources.

exceedingly problematic

Focuses on the issues and problems caused by the difficulty, rather than the difficulty itself.

monumentally challenging

Highlights the immense scale and difficulty, suggesting a task of great magnitude.

FAQs

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

You can use "horrendously difficult" to describe tasks, situations, or concepts that are extremely challenging. For example, "The exam was "horrendously difficult", and many students struggled to complete it."

What can I say instead of "horrendously difficult"?

You can use alternatives like "extremely challenging", "incredibly tough", or "exceptionally hard" depending on the context.

Is "horrendously difficult" an appropriate phrase to use in formal writing?

While "horrendously difficult" is acceptable, in formal writing, consider using alternatives like "exceptionally challenging" or "remarkably complex" to maintain a more professional tone.

Which is correct, "horrendously difficult" or "horribly difficult"?

Both "horrendously difficult" and "horribly difficult" are grammatically correct. "Horrendously" implies a greater degree of difficulty or unpleasantness than "horribly".