it was difficult for me

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "It was difficult for me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to explain to someone that a certain task or situation was difficult to manage. For example: "I was asked to finish the project in a short amount of time, so it was difficult for me to complete it within the given deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was difficult for me.

The New York Times

It was difficult for me, too.

The Guardian - Sport

"It was difficult for me to sit in the third".

The New York Times - Sports

"So it was difficult for me to find the rhythm".

The New York Times - Sports

"It was difficult for me to wash my cooking pots.

The New Yorker

"It was difficult for me at first," she said.

The New York Times

"It was difficult for me in the beginning.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was difficult for me to join the team," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

But it was difficult for me to accept this in Greece — a European country".

The New York Times

It was difficult for me to wrap my head around what had happened.

The Washington Post

Once she began photographing Ford, Frazier told me, "it was difficult for me to stop".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was difficult for me", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to. Clarity is key to effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "it was difficult for me" without specifying what "it" refers to. Ambiguity can confuse the reader. Always provide context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was difficult for me" functions as a statement expressing the speaker's experience of hardship or challenge. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, serving to convey personal difficulty in completing a task or navigating a situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was difficult for me" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that you experienced hardship or challenges. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for conveying personal difficulty in a range of situations. With a high frequency in News & Media and Science sources, it maintains a neutral register, making it appropriate for various contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly specify what "it" refers to, and consider alternatives like "I found it challenging" or "I struggled with it" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I found it challenging

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging", maintaining a similar level of formality.

I had difficulty with it

A more direct and concise way of expressing difficulty.

It wasn't easy for me

States the difficulty by negating ease.

I struggled with it

Emphasizes the effort and difficulty experienced.

It was a struggle for me

Uses "struggle" to convey the effort and difficulty.

I had a hard time with it

Uses a more informal expression for experiencing difficulty.

I had a tough time with it

Similar to "hard time", but with a slightly stronger emphasis on the difficulty.

It posed a challenge to me

Shifts the focus to the situation presenting the difficulty.

It presented obstacles for me

Focuses on the obstacles encountered.

I faced some difficulties

Highlights the existence of multiple challenges.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "It was difficult for me"?

You can use alternatives like "I found it challenging", "I struggled with it", or "It wasn't easy for me" depending on the context.

How do I use "It was difficult for me" in a sentence?

Use "It was difficult for me" to express that you experienced challenges or hardship in a particular situation. For example, "It was difficult for me to learn the new software".

Which is correct, "It was difficult for me" or "It was difficult to me"?

"It was difficult for me" is correct. "It was difficult to me" is grammatically incorrect and not commonly used.

What's the difference between "It was difficult for me" and "It was hard for me"?

Both phrases convey a similar meaning, but "It was difficult for me" might suggest a more complex or intricate challenge, while "It was hard for me" is a more general expression of difficulty. The distinction is subtle and often context-dependent.