it is that difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is that difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the level of difficulty of a task or situation. Example: "I thought I could solve the problem quickly, but it is that difficult."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"I don't think it is that difficult," he said.

The New York Times

It is that difficult political judgment that needs to be made.

The Guardian

"I have always said I don't think it is that difficult to tell what is bath water and what is a baby," he said.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It is that it is difficult for locals, too.

The Economist

It's that difficult to put down.

The Guardian

If it was that difficult men would be having [babies].

The Guardian - Sport

So I don't think it's that difficult to measure.

Harvard Business Review

It's that difficult.

BBC

I don't think it's that difficult to be more inclusive.

TechCrunch

I don't think it's that difficult in common stock investing by industry.

Forbes

Not that it was that difficult before.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is that difficult" to directly emphasize the degree of challenge or complexity involved in a task or situation. This phrase is suitable when you want to be clear and direct about the level of difficulty.

Common error

While "it is that difficult" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms or rephrasing to maintain reader engagement and add nuance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is that difficult" functions as a descriptive statement, emphasizing the degree of difficulty associated with a task, situation, or concept. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and usable. This indicates its acceptability in standard English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is that difficult" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to emphasize the level of difficulty in various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It finds common application across news, academic, and scientific domains. While suitable for neutral registers, varying your language can prevent overuse. Consider alternatives like "it is quite challenging" or "it presents significant challenges" to enrich your writing. As Ludwig’s analysis indicates, this expression is valuable for conveying the degree of effort or complexity involved in a given situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is quite challenging

Substitutes "difficult" with "challenging", softening the tone slightly.

it is far from simple

Indicates the difficulty by stating the opposite of simple.

it is particularly hard

Replaces "that difficult" with "particularly hard", emphasizing the intensity of the difficulty.

it is no easy task

Uses a more formal expression to indicate the presence of difficulty.

it's not a walk in the park

Changes the expression to an idiomatic one indicating something is not easy.

it requires considerable effort

Focuses on the effort needed due to the difficulty.

it presents significant challenges

Shifts the focus to the challenges posed by the situation, rather than directly stating the difficulty.

it's a tough nut to crack

Employs an idiom to describe a problem that's hard to solve.

it's more complex than it seems

Highlights the underlying complexity contributing to the difficulty.

it's quite a hurdle

Employs a metaphor describing a problem as an obstacle.

FAQs

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

You can use "it is that difficult" to emphasize the level of challenge or complexity. For example, "I thought I could solve the problem quickly, but "it is that difficult"."

What are some alternatives to saying "it is that difficult"?

You can use alternatives like "it is quite challenging", "it is particularly hard", or "it presents significant challenges" depending on the context.

Is "it is that difficult" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it is that difficult" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both spoken and written English.

What is the difference between "it is that difficult" and "it is very difficult"?

"It is that difficult" implies a specific level of difficulty that might be surprising or noteworthy. "It is very difficult" simply states a high degree of difficulty without necessarily implying surprise. You could use "it is particularly hard" or "it is quite challenging" as alternatives.