it is probably difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "it is probably difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea that something is likely to be difficult. For example: "Calculating the tax returns for this year will be difficult; it is probably impossible to get everything done by the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

And without that it is probably difficult to bring about any sort of change.

The Guardian

Small horses, though, seem a bit extreme on an airplane, and I imagine, considering how narrow planes have become, that it is probably difficult for the flight attendants and passengers to get around them.

The New York Times

For most people, it is probably difficult to watch Nucatola discuss how second-trimester abortions are performed while eating a salad and downing red wine – though, I also imagine many of us might get a bit queasy hearing about most medical procedures over the dinner table.

The Guardian - Opinion

Given the available historical information, it is probably difficult to revise the inventory emissions retrospectively for the first half of the 2000s.

Geoscience Letters

Due to the low number of jobs in science administration, it is probably difficult to plan a career in this field.

Science Magazine

During the past twelfth plan, most hydrocracking units were targeted to maximally generate middle distillate; as such, it is probably difficult to purchase new catalysts if not necessary for adjusting the ratio between diesel and gasoline.

Applied Petrochemical Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

More recently, with CajaSur maintaining its generosity toward borrowers while the construction sector plummeted, "it was probably difficult to tell the bank to stop lending when your own party was relying on its loans," said Luis Martín Luna, a center-right politician who is also a former CajaSur director.

The New York Times

"But it's probably difficult to say that with the other teams who have just kept winning, unfortunately".

Independent

"So I think it was probably difficult to get a large audience excited about a show when many didn't really understand what it was".

The New York Times

It's probably difficult for all you proper skiers out there to remember the wonder of seeing a snow-drenched Alpine resort for the first time.

Independent

Unless you're quite familiar with European Renaissance notation, it's probably difficult to imagine precisely what sounds have been encoded here, and it would remain so even if the score weren't graphically altered.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is probably difficult" when you want to express that something is likely to pose challenges or be hard to achieve. It conveys a sense of potential difficulty based on available information or experience.

Common error

Avoid using "probably" excessively in your writing, as it can dilute the strength of your statements. If you have enough evidence to suggest something is highly likely to be difficult, consider using a stronger word like "certainly" or "undoubtedly" for a more impactful message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is probably difficult" functions as an assessment or evaluation of a situation, indicating that something is likely to present challenges. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a correct and usable phrase in written English, serving to express an expectation of difficulty.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is probably difficult" is a versatile phrase used to express the likelihood of something being challenging. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable in both News & Media and Scientific contexts. When using this phrase, consider the potential for stronger alternatives if greater certainty is warranted. Understanding its nuances, as seen in the Ludwig examples, ensures more effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's likely challenging

Uses "challenging" to emphasize the demanding nature of something.

it's possibly problematic

Highlights potential issues or complications.

it may well be tough

Uses "tough" to underscore the strenuous aspect.

it's foreseeably arduous

Emphasizes the demanding and laborious nature of the task.

it's presumably intricate

Suggests the complexity and detailed nature of the matter.

it would likely present difficulties

Shifts the focus to the difficulties that might arise.

it's realistically demanding

Highlights the realistic challenges and requirements.

it's conceivably complex

Implies that the matter is potentially complicated.

it's expected to be hard

Uses "hard" to indicate the degree of effort required.

it is anticipated to be complicated

Focuses on the anticipation of complications that may arise.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it is probably difficult" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "it is likely challenging", "it is conceivably complex", or "it would likely present difficulties".

What are some synonyms for "difficult" that I can use in the phrase "it is probably difficult"?

You can replace "difficult" with words like "challenging", "arduous", "intricate", or "complex" to vary your language. For example, "it is probably "challenging"" or "it is probably "complex"".

Is "it is probably difficult" appropriate for academic writing?

Yes, "it is probably difficult" is generally acceptable for academic writing, but ensure the tone is consistent with the overall style. More formal alternatives may sometimes be preferred.

How does "it is probably difficult" differ from "it is certainly difficult"?

"It is probably difficult" indicates a likelihood or possibility of difficulty, while "it is certainly difficult" expresses a higher degree of confidence and certainty about the difficulty. The former suggests a strong likelihood based on available information, but is not a definitive statement.