it is rather difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is rather difficult" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to express that something is challenging or not easy to do. Example: "I tried to fix the car myself, but it is rather difficult without any experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

First, it is rather difficult to improve its performance in overcast or raining days.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

It is rather difficult to communicate with health providers today.

Stanford University

However, it is rather difficult to adopt MAG welding for the fabrication of the VV.

Journal of Nuclear Materials

As a consequence, it is rather difficult to understand, assess, and compare the existing approaches.

Journal of Systems and Software

Moreover, it is rather difficult to find in the literature coupled formulations under transient conditions.

Engineering Geology

Of course, it is rather difficult to deny it, since it is written here in the document.

Yale University

However, it is rather difficult for the planners to attempt to design without engaging the urban climate scientists.

Landscape and Urban Planning

For large snow thickness, it is rather difficult to obtain snow shedding comparing to the small thickness.

Cold Regions Science and Technology

Given that the message content is not modified, it is rather difficult to address relay attacks through cryptographic means.

Decision Support Systems

"If America wants to become a hegemonic power, it is rather difficult for other nations to prevent that," he wrote.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, it is rather difficult to understand all the subleties and for that reason we propose to couple EQCM measurements with inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis.

Electrochimica Acta

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is rather difficult", ensure the context clearly indicates what specifically is causing the difficulty. Being specific enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it is rather difficult" when the task is merely inconvenient or requires minimal effort. Reserve this phrase for situations genuinely posing a significant challenge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is rather difficult" functions as an evaluative expression, indicating that a particular task, situation, or concept presents a notable challenge. It is used to communicate that something is not easy, but not necessarily impossible, based on Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

69%

Academia

16%

News & Media

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is rather difficult" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express that something presents a notable challenge. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most frequently found in scientific and academic contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, it's important to be specific about the source of the difficulty. While there are many alternative phrases to express similar ideas, each carries slightly different nuances in terms of intensity and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is somewhat challenging

The adjective "challenging" is used instead of "difficult."

it is quite challenging

Swaps "rather difficult" for "quite challenging."

it's fairly complex

This uses "complex" to express difficulty through intricacy.

it is not so easy

This phrase expresses the difficulty in simpler terms.

it presents some difficulty

This version uses a more formal tone and rephrases the difficulty as something being presented.

it's proving to be hard

This phrasing emphasizes the ongoing nature of the difficulty.

it poses a challenge

This phrase presents difficulty as an obstacle.

it's no walk in the park

This idiom implies that something requires effort and is not easy.

it is an uphill battle

This idiom signifies that something is difficult and requires a lot of effort.

it requires considerable effort

This phrase highlights the amount of effort needed, indicating the difficulty of the task.

FAQs

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

Use "it is rather difficult" to express that something presents a notable challenge or is not straightforward. For example, "It is rather difficult to assemble this furniture without the instructions."

What phrases are similar to "it is rather difficult"?

You can use alternatives like "it is somewhat challenging", "it is quite challenging", or "it poses a challenge" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "it is rather difficult" and "it is very difficult"?

While both phrases indicate a challenge, "it is rather difficult" suggests a slightly lower degree of difficulty compared to "it is very difficult". "Rather" implies moderately difficult, while "very" indicates a higher level of difficulty.

When should I use "it is rather difficult" instead of "it is impossible"?

Use "it is rather difficult" when a task presents significant challenges but remains potentially achievable with effort. Use "it is impossible" when the task is completely unachievable under any circumstances.