it was extremely difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was extremely difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a challenging situation or task that required significant effort or struggle. Example: "Completing the marathon was extremely difficult, but crossing the finish line made it all worthwhile."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"It was extremely difficult.

The New York Times

"It was extremely difficult," she said.

The Washington Post

It was extremely difficult, socially, but the site was successful.

The New Yorker

"It wasn't hard, it was extremely difficult to take.

The New York Times - Sports

BILFINGER: It was extremely difficult and, in fact, impossible to resign from the Secret State Police.

Yale University

But it was extremely difficult to trace the exact origins of each contaminated batch.

The Guardian

Dr. Millis said it was "extremely difficult" to determine the rotation period.

The New York Times

"It was extremely difficult," said Dana Thorpe, the Fresno Met's last executive director.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

"We had a cultural barrier before, which meant it was extremely difficult for girls to wear a football jersey.

Unicef

"It was extremely difficult to get to," he told The Huffington Post.

Huffington Post

It was extremely difficult, especially my sister's suicide, but I decided I had to tell her life, and her death".

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was extremely difficult" to clearly and directly convey the high level of challenge or effort required in a given situation. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid consistently relying on intensifiers like "extremely". While "it was extremely difficult" is valid, varying your language with alternatives such as "it was quite challenging" or "it posed a significant hurdle" can enhance your writing style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was extremely difficult" functions as a statement expressing the high degree of challenge or effort associated with a specific task, situation, or experience. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

11%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was extremely difficult" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a high level of challenge or effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and appropriate for many contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to consider the context and avoid overuse. Varying your language with alternatives like "it posed a significant challenge" or "it required immense effort" can improve your writing style and ensure clarity. The phrase sees frequent use in news media, academia, science and formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was exceedingly challenging

Replaces "extremely difficult" with "exceedingly challenging" maintaining a similar level of intensity.

it posed a significant challenge

This alternative emphasizes the challenging nature of the situation, using 'challenge' instead of 'difficult'.

it required immense effort

Highlights the substantial effort required to overcome the difficulty.

it proved to be very arduous

Uses 'arduous' to highlight the effort and strain involved, suggesting a prolonged and taxing experience.

it presented considerable hurdles

Emphasizes the obstacles that had to be overcome.

it demanded significant exertion

Focuses on the physical or mental effort needed.

it was a real struggle

This alternative simplifies the expression, focusing on the struggle involved in the situation.

it was intensely problematic

Shifts the focus to the problems encountered, suggesting significant obstacles and complications.

it was far from simple

Implies that the task had complexities and challenges.

it was no easy task

Understates the difficulty while still conveying that it was not simple or straightforward.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was extremely difficult" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "it presented a significant challenge" or "it required immense effort". These options maintain a professional and serious tone.

What are some less intense ways to say "it was extremely difficult"?

If you want to downplay the difficulty, you could say "it was quite challenging", "it was no easy task", or "it was far from simple".

When is it appropriate to use "it was extremely difficult"?

Use "it was extremely difficult" when you want to emphasize the high degree of challenge or effort involved in a task or situation. It's suitable for both formal and informal writing but be mindful of overuse.

Is there a difference between "it was extremely difficult" and "it was very difficult"?

While both convey that something was challenging, "extremely difficult" suggests a significantly higher level of challenge than "very difficult". "Extremely" adds more emphasis to the degree of difficulty.