it seems quite difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seems quite difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing an opinion or observation about the level of difficulty of a task or situation. Example: "After reviewing the project requirements, it seems quite difficult to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I need three Cs, and am predicted to get two Bs and a C. I didn't feel very prepared for the exams, it seems quite difficult to get above a C.

The Guardian

It seems quite difficult to get this information from the institution I am working for.

Science Magazine

As a consequence of these considerations, it seems quite difficult to present a classification of disorders affecting vulva which all medical specialties would agree with.

BioMed Research International

Likewise, it seems quite difficult that strong genetic differentiation occurs at a such a small geographic scale (few kilometres), in the presence of a planktonic larval phase and a sustained water circulation within the Venice lagoon.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

So I think it'll be a little bit of a hybrid between continuous machine learning which seems quite difficult and the old style, which was quite waterfall".

TechCrunch

Five out of eight technologies mentioned in Table 9 appear to meet DOE's short-term target (by 2015) of $6/kg hydrogen but meeting long-term target seems quite difficult.

Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy

Although heteroatom-containing polycyclic hydrocarbons are found to present lower enthalpy of dehydrogenation that would be suitable for on-board dehydrogenation, as mainly sought by the different research groups, their application as organic carrier seems quite difficult in regards of their hydrogen content, their physical properties and the cost of synthesis.

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

The conceptualisation of reflection for practical use in teaching and assessment seems quite difficult, despite the good work of other researchers.

BMC Medical Education

The first module seemed quite difficult and there was a lot content, but because the following modules were very similar I eventually got the hang of things and felt much more comfortable and confident as I knew what was to expect".

International Journal of STEM Education

"It seems quite arcane".

The New York Times

It seems quite likely".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing the phrase "it seems quite difficult" with "it is proving to be problematic" to show that difficulty is becoming more apparent over time.

Common error

Avoid beginning multiple sentences in a paragraph with "it seems". This can make writing sound monotonous. Vary sentence structure to improve readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems quite difficult" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing a subjective assessment of the degree of difficulty associated with something. The assessment is based on available evidence or observation, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it seems quite difficult" is a versatile phrase used to express a subjective assessment of difficulty. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in English, finding its use in contexts ranging from news and media to scientific discussions. While grammatically sound and generally appropriate, consider the register of your writing and context to ensure you adjust to a more suitable phrase. Additionally, remember to prevent overusing the passive voice in a single paragraph.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appears rather challenging

Replaces "seems" with "appears" and "difficult" with "challenging", offering a slightly more formal tone.

it looks pretty tough

Uses more informal language like "looks" and "tough" to convey the difficulty.

it feels considerably hard

Emphasizes the subjective experience of difficulty with "feels" and intensifies the degree with "considerably".

it presents a significant challenge

Phrases the difficulty as a challenge, which can be a slightly more positive framing.

it is proving to be problematic

Highlights that the difficulty is becoming evident over time.

it poses some real obstacles

Introduces the idea of concrete obstacles that make something difficult.

it's no walk in the park

An idiomatic expression indicating that something is not easy.

the task seems overwhelming

Focuses on the feeling of being overwhelmed by the task's difficulty.

coping with it seems a struggle

Changes the phrase to focus on the effort needed to deal with the difficult thing.

achieving success appears unlikely

Shifts the focus to the likelihood of success given the perceived difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "it seems quite difficult" in a sentence?

Use "it seems quite difficult" to express your opinion about the level of complexity or challenge associated with a task, situation, or problem. For instance, "After reviewing the data, "it seems quite difficult" to draw a definite conclusion".

What are some alternatives to saying "it seems quite difficult"?

You can use alternatives such as "it appears rather challenging", "it looks pretty tough", or "it presents a significant challenge", depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "it seems quite difficult" formal or informal?

"It seems quite difficult" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for very formal situations, alternatives like "it presents a significant challenge" might be more appropriate.

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

"It seems quite difficult" implies a degree of uncertainty or subjective assessment, while "it is quite difficult" presents the difficulty as a more objective fact. The former suggests a personal perception, while the latter asserts a more general truth.