it has been pretty difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has been pretty difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something has been challenging or hard to deal with over a period of time. Example: "This project has been quite demanding; it has been pretty difficult to meet all the deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Under most circumstances, it is not illegal to build your own gun, but it has been pretty difficult.

The New York Times

"I am back fully fit and that's all I'm concerned with," said Priestland. "It has been pretty difficult".

BBC

Normally, I get overlooked or the other Giants players don't get picked, so this year it has been pretty difficult for the selectors with the team having finished top of the league.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"It showed that he could get what he believes in enacted into law, which has been pretty difficult his first two years in office".

The New York Times

He added: "It is unbelievably thrilling to see this actually happening after the endless planning process, and of course raising the funding, particularly at the moment, has been pretty difficult".

The Guardian - Arts

"The things we dealt with last year, if we'd have back the same staff, it would have been pretty difficult.

The New York Times - Sports

For Landesman, the dialectical approach would have been pretty difficult -- it's not easy to find people who'll make the case for sexual slavery.

The New York Times

'Between early drafts, parts of the opera have been pretty difficult to reshape, but regardless of flaws it has always had something.

The Guardian

So, looking back, that must have been pretty difficult for Marsh.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So for barn owl fans like me the last few years have been pretty difficult.

BBC

"There was an uneasiness because Bret had been pretty difficult all week.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it has been pretty difficult", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to, avoiding ambiguity. For instance, specify the task, situation, or period that has been challenging.

Common error

While "it has been pretty difficult" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "challenging", "tough", or more descriptive phrases to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has been pretty difficult" functions as a statement expressing that a situation, task, or period has presented significant challenges. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable. It serves to convey the degree of hardship encountered.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it has been pretty difficult" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to express that something has presented challenges. As verified by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and widely applicable. It finds frequent use in news and media, with moderate formality. When writing, ensure context is clear and consider varying your phrasing to avoid repetition. While acceptable, more precise synonyms may enhance clarity. Overall, it’s a versatile expression for conveying difficulty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has been quite challenging

Replaces "pretty difficult" with a more formal adjective, "quite challenging".

it has been rather tough

Substitutes "pretty difficult" with "rather tough", offering a slightly stronger sense of adversity.

it has not been easy

Employs a more direct and simple expression to convey the difficulty.

it has proven to be problematic

Uses a different verb structure, focusing on the result of something being difficult.

it has been a struggle

Highlights the continuous effort required to overcome the difficulties.

it has been an uphill battle

Uses a metaphorical expression to emphasize the prolonged and arduous nature of the difficulty.

it has presented numerous obstacles

Focuses on the presence of obstacles as the cause of difficulty.

it has required significant effort

Shifts the focus to the amount of effort expended due to the difficulty.

it has tested our resilience

Highlights the impact of the difficulty on the ability to endure and recover.

it has stretched us to our limits

Implies that the difficulty has pushed the boundaries of capability.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "it has been pretty difficult"?

You can use alternatives like "it has been quite challenging", "it has been rather tough", or "it has not been easy" depending on the context.

Is "it has been pretty difficult" formal enough for business writing?

While grammatically correct, "it has been pretty difficult" leans toward the informal side. For business writing, consider more formal alternatives like "it has proven to be problematic" or "it has presented numerous obstacles".

How do I make "it has been pretty difficult" more specific?

Specify what "it" refers to and why it's been difficult. For example, instead of "It has been pretty difficult", try "Meeting the project deadlines "it has been pretty difficult" due to unforeseen technical challenges".

What's the difference between "it has been difficult" and "it has been pretty difficult"?

Adding "pretty" softens the statement slightly, making it less intense than simply saying "it has been difficult". "Pretty" acts as an adverb that modifies the adjective "difficult", indicating a moderate level of difficulty.