it is kind of difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is kind of difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which something is challenging or not easy to do. For example, "Figuring out this math problem is kind of difficult."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"I really love teaching, and it is kind of difficult to part ways".

The New York Times - Sports

It is kind of difficult to know exactly what they're going to do.

The Guardian - Money

JOHN SEABROOK: It is kind of difficult not to see it as some form of imperialism, or neo-colonialism, if you are inclined to see world politics that way.

The New Yorker

I just find it difficult to give negative feedback just to your classmates, you are afraid they will take it badly… it is kind of difficult to say negative things Focus Group 2, DE Student, Female.

Advances in Health Sciences Education

I just find it difficult to give negative feedback just to your classmates, you are afraid they will take it badly… it is kind of difficult to say negative things Focus Group 2, DE Student, Female.Views varied as to whether it was easier to give feedback to friends or to those you don't know as well.

Advances in Health Sciences Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

I'm probably not the best Democrat because I'm super progressive, very liberal, and it's kind of difficult when they party itself does its best to be a center party rather than a truly left-progressive party.

Vice

So it's kind of difficult," she says.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Especially with veterans, it's kind of difficult.

The New York Times

"It's kind of difficult to provoke me.

The Washington Post

But it's kind of difficult to find that kind of relationship".

The New York Times

It's kind of difficult, very different, with a lot of technique.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is kind of difficult", consider your audience. While acceptable in most contexts, more formal settings may benefit from stronger or more precise wording like "challenging" or "complex".

Common error

Avoid stacking multiple hedging words. Phrases like "it is kind of a little difficult" weaken your statement. Choose a single, appropriate qualifier.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is kind of difficult" functions as a subjective assessment, indicating that something presents a certain level of challenge or complexity. It aligns with Ludwig's analysis that it is a usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is kind of difficult" serves as a grammatically sound and acceptable way to express that something presents a moderate level of challenge. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is usable in English, though its frequency is relatively uncommon. Its primary contexts are News & Media, Science, and Academia. While it's generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives in professional settings for a more polished tone. Be mindful of avoiding overuse of hedging language to maintain clarity and impact. The available examples from Ludwig showcase the phrase's use in varied scenarios, highlighting its versatility in expressing subjective assessments of difficulty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's somewhat challenging

Replaces "kind of difficult" with a more formal synonym for difficulty, "challenging", and slightly alters the sentence structure.

it's a bit tricky

Uses "tricky" as a more colloquial and less severe alternative to "difficult".

it's not exactly easy

Employs understatement to convey difficulty, softening the statement.

it presents some challenges

Shifts the focus to the challenges themselves, rather than directly stating the difficulty.

it's moderately complex

Replaces "difficult" with the more technical term "complex", suitable for formal contexts.

it requires some effort

Focuses on the effort needed, rather than the inherent difficulty.

it's not straightforward

Indicates that the process or task is not simple or direct.

it involves certain complexities

Highlights the presence of complexities involved.

it demands careful attention

Emphasizes the need for attentiveness due to the underlying difficulty.

it poses some hurdles

Uses a metaphorical term to describe difficulties as obstacles.

FAQs

What does "it is kind of difficult" mean?

The phrase "it is kind of difficult" means that something presents a moderate level of challenge or is not particularly easy. It suggests a task or situation requires effort or skill but is not insurmountable.

What can I say instead of "it is kind of difficult"?

You can use alternatives like "it's somewhat challenging", "it's a bit tricky", or "it's not exactly easy" depending on the context.

Is "it is kind of difficult" too informal for professional writing?

While generally acceptable, "it is kind of difficult" may be too informal for some professional contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "it presents some challenges" or "it's moderately complex" for a more polished tone.

How to use "it is kind of difficult" in a sentence?

You can use "it is kind of difficult" to describe a task, situation, or concept. For example, "Understanding this theorem is kind of difficult", or "Navigating this website is kind of difficult".