is rather tricky

USAGE SUMMARY

"is rather tricky" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is difficult, complicated, or problematic in a subtle or unexpected way. Here is an example sentence: "The final question on the exam is rather tricky, so make sure to read it carefully before answering."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Not all tax expenditures are "bad" – and also comparing them across nations is rather tricky.

The Guardian - Business

"The whole story is rather tricky," said Dror Etkes, who monitors settlements for Peace Now.

The New York Times

Despite the long border with India, China is Bangladesh's biggest trading partner and supplier of arms.Connecting China with Bangladesh via Myanmar is rather tricky though.

The Economist

But as Indo-European languages go, Irish is rather tricky, hard to learn unless you soak it up as a child.

The Washington Post

The publican of a large and successful London boozer tells me that the situation with his pubco overlords is rather tricky.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Replacing the poster when your train reaches Grand Central is rather tricky, and the explanation would be tedious; but this must be done, or the bridge players would suffer even worse reputations than they have now.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

I'll just say that the truth is rather trickier than that, and that the determinants of public opinion are varied and complex.

The Economist

The thing about madness is, it's rather tricky to pin down.

The New York Times

Some variations are rather tricky and I make a sour face, although they are not sour in character".

The New York Times

What arrived was entirely handwritten and on some very odd pieces of paper that were rather tricky to keep in order.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the late 1970s it was rather tricky for a new writer to get a book published, especially on what was seen as an academic subject.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is rather tricky" to describe situations where the difficulty is not immediately obvious, adding a touch of understatement.

Common error

Avoid using "is rather tricky" when something is plainly and obviously difficult. It's best suited for situations with subtle or unexpected challenges.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is rather tricky" functions as a subjective assessment, qualifying a preceding noun or gerund. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, underscoring the nuanced difficulty or deceptiveness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is rather tricky" is a grammatically sound way to describe something as subtly difficult or deceptively complicated. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and usable in various contexts. While not overly formal, it's best suited for situations where the challenge isn't immediately obvious. Alternatives like "is quite challenging" or "is fairly complex" can be used for similar meanings. Remember to use it when the difficulty requires a nuanced understanding, avoiding its use in plainly obvious situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is quite challenging

Replaces "tricky" with a more direct synonym, "challenging".

is fairly complex

Substitutes "rather tricky" with "fairly complex", indicating intricacy.

is somewhat difficult

Uses "somewhat difficult" to convey a moderate level of difficulty.

is notably complicated

Emphasizes the complexity using "notably complicated".

is a bit problematic

Indicates that something poses issues or difficulties.

is particularly intricate

Highlights the fine details and complexity involved.

is unusually demanding

Suggests that something requires more effort than usual.

is surprisingly knotty

Implies unexpected complications or difficulties.

presents certain obstacles

Focuses on the barriers and hurdles involved.

requires careful navigation

Highlights the need for caution and skill to manage.

FAQs

How can I use "is rather tricky" in a sentence?

You can use "is rather tricky" to describe a task or situation that presents unexpected or subtle difficulties. For example, "Navigating the legal jargon "is rather tricky", so seek professional advice."

What can I say instead of "is rather tricky"?

You can use alternatives like "is quite challenging", "is fairly complex", or "is somewhat difficult" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is rather tricky" or "is very tricky"?

"Is rather tricky" and "is very tricky" are both correct, but they convey slightly different degrees of difficulty. "Is rather tricky" suggests a subtle or unexpected challenge, while "is very tricky" implies a more significant level of difficulty.

What's the difference between "is rather tricky" and "is somewhat tricky"?

"Is rather tricky" and "is somewhat tricky" both indicate a moderate level of difficulty. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic nuance, as they are largely interchangeable.