incredibly difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incredibly difficult" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you might use it in a sentence such as: "The exam was incredibly difficult and I struggled with many of the questions".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Incredibly difficult to leave.

The Guardian - Travel

It was incredibly difficult.

The Guardian

That sounds incredibly difficult.

The Guardian - Books

These are incredibly difficult decisions.

Independent

Forgiveness can be incredibly difficult.

University of California, Berkeley

It is still incredibly difficult.

The Guardian - Books

It's an incredibly difficult issue.

The Guardian

I found it incredibly difficult.

The Guardian

It's an incredibly difficult undertaking".

The New York Times

"They were incredibly difficult times".

The Guardian

It is also incredibly difficult.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a task or situation as "incredibly difficult", provide specific examples to illustrate the challenges involved. This adds credibility and helps the audience understand the magnitude of the difficulty.

Common error

Avoid using "incredibly difficult" as a generic intensifier. Reserve it for situations where the difficulty is truly exceptional and can be substantiated with evidence or detailed explanation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incredibly difficult" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun to express the high degree of challenge or complexity associated with it. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "incredibly difficult" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe situations or tasks that present a high level of challenge. According to Ludwig AI, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. As shown in the examples, the phrase is versatile and appears across various contexts, including news, academic writing, and general communication. While it is most commonly found in News & Media, it's also prevalent in Academia and Formal & Business settings. To avoid overuse, consider using alternatives such as "exceptionally challenging" or "remarkably arduous" to add variety to your writing and refine the specific nuance you intend to express. Remember to provide specific examples when using this phrase to enhance credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceptionally challenging

Replaces "incredibly" with "exceptionally", intensifying the level of difficulty.

remarkably arduous

Substitutes both words with synonyms emphasizing the demanding nature of the task.

extremely complicated

Focuses on the complex nature of the difficulty.

unusually problematic

Highlights the issues and troubles associated with the difficulty.

seriously taxing

Emphasizes the burden and strain caused by the difficulty.

particularly demanding

Stresses the high requirements and effort needed.

surprisingly intricate

Highlights the unexpected complexity.

notoriously tough

Indicates that the difficulty is well-known or widely recognized.

intensely formidable

Uses stronger synonyms to convey a significant degree of difficulty.

singularly tough

Emphasizes the unique or exceptional nature of the difficulty.

FAQs

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

You can use "incredibly difficult" to describe tasks, situations, or concepts that present significant challenges. For instance, "The physics exam was "incredibly difficult" this year", or "Navigating the bureaucracy proved "incredibly difficult"".

What are some alternatives to saying "incredibly difficult"?

Alternatives include "exceptionally challenging", "remarkably arduous", or "extremely complicated", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "incredibly difficult" in formal writing?

Yes, "incredibly difficult" is suitable for formal writing, especially when supported by evidence or detailed explanation. However, consider alternatives like "particularly demanding" or "unusually problematic" for a more nuanced tone.

What makes something "incredibly difficult" rather than just "difficult"?

The term "incredibly difficult" suggests a level of challenge that goes beyond the ordinary. It implies that the task requires exceptional effort, skill, or resources, and that failure is a significant possibility, making it different from something that's merely "somewhat challenging".