it is truly difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is truly difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing the challenge or complexity of a situation or task. Example: "Completing this project on time is truly difficult given the limited resources we have."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

But the verdict delivered against 15 handgun manufacturers by a federal jury in New York on February 12th was so confusing that it is truly difficult to know which side won.

The Economist

That said, I think Amazon is so far ahead of everyone else that it is truly difficult for me to see a future where Amazon isn't dominant in e-commerce in the United States.

The New York Times - Tech

As well as it should: it is truly difficult to imagine corruption and lawlessness more extreme than having the government explicitly place the most powerful factions above the rule of law even as it continues to subject everyone else to disgracefully harsh "justice".

The Guardian - Opinion

Moreover, beyond the social, relational and ethical dimensions, our youth, from the earliest years of school onward, are more and more in need of learning, living, practicing and applying "logic" (by the time the university years are reached, it is truly difficult to modify the structure of a forma mentis, for instance by teaching students to use logic to develop and verify arguments).

European Journal of Futures Research

I'm all for helping people with medications when the pain is severe and it is truly difficult to function.

Huffington Post

He tries to ask Bülent if the the place has wifi, but it is truly difficult to mime the idea of wifi.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

It's truly difficult to make the cut: Washington and Oregon's young wineries barely creep into auction catalogs.

The New York Times

It's truly difficult to comprehend the horror Annalise (and Ophelia) clearly suffered.

Huffington Post

It's truly difficult to imagine anybody in the sure-to-be crowded Democratic primary for president next year who won't run on a platform that includes the legalization of recreational marijuana.

Vice

In my experience, it's truly difficult to find an artist who can blend these two elements in a secular pop / R&B context and create work that is accessible but spiritually grounded.

Huffington Post

The feeling that if speech is left too free it will shirk what is truly difficult, it will talk only about yummy food and bunny slippers, etc., or merely react to (rephrase) the news of the day.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is truly difficult" when you want to emphasize the genuine and significant challenge a task or situation presents.

Common error

Avoid using too many intensifiers like "truly", as it can weaken the impact of your writing. Consider whether the situation genuinely warrants such emphasis or if a simpler expression would suffice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is truly difficult" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing the speaker or writer's assessment of the level of challenge or complexity associated with something. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing various situations and tasks as genuinely challenging.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

27%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is truly difficult" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in written English used to emphasize the significant challenge or complexity of a situation. While not overly formal, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for a variety of contexts, as demonstrated by Ludwig AI and the examples from news, science, and wiki sources. When using this phrase, ensure that the emphasis is warranted and consider alternative expressions to avoid overuse. Using this phrase can add depth to your expression when communicating hardship but always be responsible and genuine with your use of intensifiers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is genuinely challenging

Emphasizes the authenticity and demanding nature of the challenge, similar to "truly difficult" but with a focus on the demanding nature.

it is exceedingly hard

Uses 'exceedingly' to intensify the degree of difficulty, indicating a very high level of challenge.

it presents a considerable challenge

Shifts the focus to the challenge itself, highlighting its significance.

it poses significant obstacles

Highlights the barriers and impediments involved, emphasizing the hindering aspect of the difficulty.

it requires immense effort

Focuses on the amount of effort needed, stressing the energy and resources required to overcome the difficulty.

it's a real struggle

Emphasizes the ongoing effort and conflict involved in dealing with the difficulty.

it is far from easy

Understates the difficulty, implying it's significantly more challenging than simple.

it is no mean feat

Indicates that the task is a significant accomplishment if achieved, underlining the difficulty.

it is tough going

Suggests slow and arduous progress due to the difficulty.

it is an uphill battle

Conveys a sense of constant struggle against resistance, emphasizing the adversity.

FAQs

When should I use the phrase "it is truly difficult"?

Use "it is truly difficult" when you want to emphasize the genuine challenge or complexity of a task or situation. It's suitable when a simple 'difficult' doesn't convey the full extent of the problem.

What are some alternatives to "it is truly difficult"?

You can use alternatives like "it is genuinely challenging", "it is exceedingly hard", or "it presents a considerable challenge" to express a similar meaning.

Is "it is truly difficult" more formal or informal?

"It is truly difficult" is relatively neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives might exist for highly professional settings. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct.

What's the difference between "it is difficult" and "it is truly difficult"?

Adding "truly" emphasizes the degree of difficulty. "It is truly difficult" suggests the challenge is significant and genuine, compared to simply saying "it is difficult".