it has been tricky

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has been tricky" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or task that has been difficult or challenging over a period of time. Example: "Completing the project on time has been tricky due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"It has been tricky to manage on jobseeker's allowance," said Whitaker, sanguine.

The Guardian

Under the ownership of Tony Sage it has been tricky to pin down.

The Guardian - Sport

While the health benefits of eating broccoli are well known, it has been tricky to turn the specific anti-cancer agent into a tablet.

The Guardian - Business

I'm like, 'You can't say that.' " Both Ms. Coppola and Ms. Sales said that managing the line between the outlaw romance of their story and the cautionary tale aspect of it has been tricky.

The New York Times

To the casual observer, there have been plenty of times since Sex and the City exploded all over our screens in 1998 when it has been tricky to draw a line between the actress and the fictional Manhattan man-eater.

Independent

In the case of expenses, it has been tricky to try to look at these automatically because there are often a lot of nuances that go into what an employee is spending money on, which may not always be easy to track.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Since then, it has been trickier noting the different perspectives on the world, but the quality and variety of world coverage are still impressive.

The Guardian

Claims that the burkini is a threat to "hygiene" or "good manners" have been exposed as completely groundless, but it has been trickier to sweep aside claims that, in France's tense atmosphere, the burkini might set off scuffles or other violent incidents on French beaches.

The Guardian - Opinion

Determining it, though, has been tricky.

The New York Times

The script for Lady Mary's mourning has been tricky: it's as if she's been told to play out her grief as a waxwork.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Momentum has been tricky, but it has worked for some people," Mr. Rekenthaler said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it has been tricky", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the subject or situation causing the difficulty.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple sentences with "it has been tricky" in the same paragraph. Vary your sentence structure by providing more descriptive explanations of the specific challenges encountered.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has been tricky" functions as a subject complement, describing a state or situation that the subject ('it') is experiencing. It indicates that something has presented ongoing difficulties or challenges. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples where the phrase is used to qualify a subject.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it has been tricky" is a versatile phrase used to describe situations that have presented ongoing difficulties. Ludwig's analysis, supported by various examples from reputable sources like The Guardian and The New York Times, confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in news and media contexts. While it's a neutral phrase suitable for various settings, it's crucial to provide adequate context and avoid overuse. Alternatives like "it has been challenging" or "it has been difficult" can add variety to your writing. The phrase functions as a subject complement, conveying that something has not been straightforward and requires careful handling.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has been challenging

Replaces "tricky" with "challenging", emphasizing the demanding nature of the situation.

it has been difficult

Substitutes "tricky" with "difficult", highlighting the hardship involved.

it has been problematic

Replaces "tricky" with "problematic", focusing on the issues causing the difficulty.

it has been complicated

Substitutes "tricky" with "complicated", indicating the complexity of the situation.

it has been complex

Replaces "tricky" with "complex", emphasizing the multifaceted nature of the difficulty.

it has been tough

Substitutes "tricky" with "tough", highlighting the strenuous aspect of the situation.

it has been arduous

Replaces "tricky" with "arduous", emphasizing the laboriousness of the task.

it has been demanding

Substitutes "tricky" with "demanding", highlighting the high requirements of the situation.

navigating it has been tricky

Adds "navigating" to emphasize the act of trying to manage a difficult situation.

dealing with it has been tricky

Adds "dealing with" to focus on the act of handling a complex issue.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "it has been tricky"?

You can use alternatives like "it has been challenging", "it has been difficult", or "it has been complicated" depending on the context.

How do I use "it has been tricky" in a sentence?

Use "it has been tricky" to describe a situation or task that has presented difficulties or challenges over a period of time. For example, "Managing the budget it has been tricky this quarter."

What's the difference between "it has been tricky" and "it was tricky"?

"It has been tricky" implies that the difficulty has persisted over a period of time, whereas "it was tricky" suggests a difficulty that occurred at a specific point in the past. Use "it has been tricky" for ongoing issues and "it was tricky" for isolated incidents.

Is "it has been tricky" formal or informal?

The phrase "it has been tricky" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal settings, consider using more precise language to describe the specific nature of the challenge.