is difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is difficult" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is a verb phrase that describes the difficulty or challenging nature of something. Example: "Learning a new language is difficult." In this sentence, "is difficult" describes the challenging nature of learning a new language. Other examples could include: - "Mathematics is difficult for many students." - "Climbing Mount Everest is difficult even for experienced climbers." - "Understanding complex legal documents is difficult without proper training." - "Parenting a teenager is difficult but rewarding." - "Playing the violin is difficult, but it brings me joy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sometimes, honesty is difficult.

The New York Times - Sports

Prediction is difficult.

The New York Times

Trimming these is difficult.

The Economist

Communication, however, is difficult.

The New York Times

Talking is difficult.

The New Yorker

Getting there is difficult.

The New York Times

Quantifying services is difficult.

The New York Times

The first is difficult.

The Economist

This is difficult everywhere.

The Economist

"But this is difficult".

The New York Times

Uniformity is difficult.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something as "difficult", be specific about the nature of the difficulty. Instead of saying "the task is difficult", specify what makes the task challenging, such as "the task is difficult due to time constraints".

Common error

Avoid using "is difficult" as a vague descriptor. Provide context. Instead of saying "life is difficult", explain which aspects of life are challenging, such as "navigating the job market is difficult for recent graduates".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is difficult" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes the subject as requiring significant effort or skill to accomplish. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is difficult" is a versatile and common expression used to convey the challenging nature of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and widely accepted in written English. The phrase functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a subject to indicate that it requires considerable effort, skill, or faces obstacles. Its neutral register allows for use in various contexts, particularly in news and media, encyclopedias, formal business, science and wiki. When using "is difficult", it's best practice to provide specific details about the nature of the difficulty to avoid vague generalizations. Consider alternative phrases like "is challenging" or "presents difficulties" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is challenging

Uses a direct synonym for "difficult".

is tough

Uses a more informal synonym for "difficult".

is no easy task

Emphasizes the lack of ease, implying difficulty.

poses a challenge

Emphasizes the act of presenting a challenge, rather than simply stating difficulty.

presents difficulties

Highlights the existence of multiple difficulties.

is arduous

Replaces "difficult" with a more formal synonym indicating great effort.

is demanding

Focuses on the high demands and requirements that make something difficult.

requires effort

Shifts focus to the effort needed due to the difficulty.

is problematic

Indicates difficulty arising from potential problems or issues.

is complex

Suggests the difficulty stems from intricacy.

FAQs

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

The phrase "is difficult" is typically used to describe something that requires significant effort or skill. For example, "Learning to play the piano "is difficult", but rewarding".

What can I say instead of "is difficult"?

You can use alternatives like "is challenging", "presents difficulties", or "is no easy task" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "is difficult"?

Yes, "is difficult" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. It functions as a predicate adjective, describing the subject's attribute of being challenging.

What's the difference between "is difficult" and "is impossible"?

"Is difficult" implies that something requires significant effort but is still achievable, while "is impossible" means that something cannot be done regardless of effort. Something that "is difficult" might be overcome, but something that "is impossible" cannot.