it is actually difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is actually difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the true level of difficulty in a situation or task, often in contrast to a previous assumption or belief. Example: "Many people think that learning a new language is easy, but it is actually difficult and requires a lot of practice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

The evolutionary biologist David Sloan Wilson has observed that "it is actually difficult to find descriptions of forgiveness in hunter-gatherer societies, not because forgiveness is absent but because it happens so naturally that it often goes unnoticed". I think Wilson may be correct, and not just about hunter-gatherers but about all societies.

University of California, Berkeley

"The most important thing to me in this whole process is that PhRMA was not the bad guy," he said, adding, "It has not been without its political cost because it is actually difficult to be bipartisan in all of this".

The New York Times

"It is actually difficult," says Richards.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is actually difficult for something that is orbiting to fall all the way into the Sun.

Cornell University

"One of our difficulties," said Eric Chanié, 31, Alpha's director for engineering and development, "is that you have to adapt to customers' needs, and it is actually difficult to follow the whole gamut".

The New York Times

Giant mass failures of oceanic shield volcanoes that generate tsunamis potentially represent a high-magnitude but low-frequency hazard, and it is actually difficult to infer the mechanisms and dynamics controlling them.

Nature

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

It was actually difficult to discern the overall structure of the piece while hearing it.

The New York Times - Arts

"It's actually difficult to comprehend the speech when it becomes that slow," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

"It's actually difficult to count," says Simmons. "How do you define a speaker?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Given the nature of the Internet," Ms. Saben said, "it's actually difficult to determine where the physical product is held".

The New York Times

Then there's also a realization that it's actually difficult to sell climate science that has no connection back to society, even on a government level, even in the present climate.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is actually difficult", provide context or explanation to support the statement and avoid vagueness.

Common error

Avoid using "it is actually difficult" as a mere filler phrase. Ensure it adds meaningful emphasis and isn't redundant. If the difficulty is evident, consider omitting "actually" for a more concise statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is actually difficult" functions as an evaluative statement. Based on Ludwig AI, it highlights the unexpected level of challenge associated with a particular task, situation, or concept. It serves to correct a potential underestimation or misconception.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

19%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is actually difficult" is a phrase used to emphasize the real challenges or complexities of a task or situation, often contrary to initial impressions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly employed in diverse contexts, especially in news, academic, and scientific writing. While versatile, it's best used when highlighting a surprising difficulty and avoiding redundancy. Alternatives such as "it's surprisingly challenging" or "it proves to be more complex" can add nuance depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's surprisingly challenging

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging" and "actually" with "surprisingly", indicating an unexpected level of difficulty.

it is, in reality, quite hard

Substitutes "actually" with "in reality" and "difficult" with "hard", adding emphasis.

it's tougher than it appears

Expresses that something is more challenging than it seems initially.

it proves to be more complex

Focuses on the complexity of the task or situation rather than just the difficulty.

it's not as easy as it seems

Highlights the discrepancy between perceived ease and actual difficulty.

the reality is, it's quite demanding

Introduces the reality of a situation, emphasizing its demanding nature.

it involves unexpected challenges

Shifts the focus to the presence of unexpected challenges.

it is far from simple

Emphasizes the lack of simplicity, implying a level of difficulty.

it presents unforeseen obstacles

Highlights the presence of obstacles that were not initially anticipated.

it requires considerable effort

Focuses on the significant amount of effort needed.

FAQs

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

You can use "it is actually difficult" to emphasize that something is more challenging than it appears, such as "Many people underestimate the process, but "it is actually difficult" to master the art of coding".

What's a more formal way to say "it is actually difficult"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "it presents considerable challenges" or "it requires significant effort".

What can I say instead of "it is actually difficult" to highlight complexity?

To emphasize the complexity, you might say "it proves to be more complex" or "it involves unexpected challenges".

Is "it is actually difficult" always appropriate?

While grammatically correct, "it is actually difficult" is best used when the difficulty is surprising or contrary to common belief. Overuse can diminish its impact.