it looks very difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it looks very difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing your perception of a task or situation that appears to be challenging. Example: "After reviewing the math problem, I must say, it looks very difficult to solve without additional help."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"It looks very difficult," Mr. Reno said.

The New York Times

[Laughs.] It looks very difficult, and like a lot of pressure.

The New Yorker

From a distance it looks very difficult, but there is no indication of any bids for Scott yet".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Some thought it was very good; some thought it looked very difficult (P09 type 2 diabetes/COPD/recent lung transplant).

BMC Health Services Research

It still looks very difficult to achieve, but if more concerted action is now taken early enough, it yet could be.

The Guardian - Opinion

Opponents of the deal need enough votes in both chambers in order to make it veto-proof, which looks very difficult at the moment.

The Guardian

The following respondent reported a common sentiment: "(The) Data collection form of VHV looks very difficult for me, I do not understand how to fill it in because the form is always changing that makes me confused and I filled in the form wrongly.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

"This still looks very difficult on paper.

The New York Times

"For now, parliamentary accord looks very difficult to obtain," said Carlo Sommaruga, a lawmaker from the Socialist Party, which is a member of the coalition government.

The New York Times

A Labor victory looks very difficult, a narrow Coalition victory looks more likely, and a hung parliament is at least possible.

The Guardian

In spite of the latest fatalities, it still looks as if causing panic is the main aim of whoever is behind this spate of incidents.Indeed, using biological or chemical weapons as agents of mass destruction still looks very difficult.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it looks very difficult" to express an initial assessment based on visual or superficial observation. For deeper insights, consider using phrases that convey thorough understanding, like "the underlying issues are complex".

Common error

Avoid using "it looks very difficult" as a reason to avoid a task altogether. Instead, follow up with actionable steps to address the perceived difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it looks very difficult" functions primarily as an evaluative statement. It expresses a subjective assessment about the apparent level of challenge or complexity associated with a task or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used. This is supported by the numerous examples found in the data.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it looks very difficult" is a grammatically correct and very commonly used expression for conveying an initial perception of challenge or complexity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is usable and correct. It's suitable for both formal and informal settings, though more sophisticated alternatives are available for formal writing. The phrase is frequently found in news and media sources. To avoid potential pitfalls, writers should follow up with actionable steps rather than using it as a substitute for action and this is particularly relevant given its potential to come across as a subjective assessment. Remember that many other options exist to express the same difficulty such as "it seems quite challenging".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems quite challenging

Replaces "looks" with "seems" and "difficult" with "challenging", softening the tone slightly.

it appears to be tough

Substitutes "looks" with "appears" and "difficult" with the more informal "tough".

it seems exceedingly complicated

Replaces "difficult" with "complicated", suggesting a complex nature.

it presents considerable challenges

Emphasizes the challenges involved rather than the initial appearance.

it strikes me as exceptionally hard

Highlights the speaker's personal impression of the difficulty.

it is seemingly insurmountable

Expresses a high degree of difficulty, suggesting the task may be impossible.

it looks intensely problematic

Focuses on the problems associated with the task.

it looks like a Herculean task

Uses a metaphor to convey the immense difficulty of the task.

it gives the impression of being arduous

Focuses on the impression given and uses the formal word "arduous".

it has a forbidding aspect

Uses a more figurative expression to describe the perceived difficulty.

FAQs

What does "it looks very difficult" imply?

The phrase "it looks very difficult" suggests that something appears challenging or hard to accomplish based on initial assessment or observation.

How can I use "it looks very difficult" in a sentence?

You can use "it looks very difficult" to express an initial impression of a task or situation, like: "After reviewing the project proposal, "it looks very difficult" to complete within the given timeframe."

Are there alternatives to "it looks very difficult"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "it seems quite challenging", "it appears to be tough", or "it presents considerable challenges" depending on the context.

Is "it looks very difficult" formal or informal?

"It looks very difficult" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or business settings.