it was rather tricky

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was rather tricky" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or task that was complicated or difficult to navigate. Example: "The puzzle was challenging, and I must admit, it was rather tricky to solve."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In the late 1970s it was rather tricky for a new writer to get a book published, especially on what was seen as an academic subject.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The thing about madness is, it's rather tricky to pin down.

The New York Times

You see, it's rather tricky, isn't it?

Huffington Post

It can be rather tricky.

WikiHow

In particular, considering renewable energies lead to at least two non-trivial problems: exact values for such an exogenous parameter are not always available, moreover the exact value of its next day production is rather tricky to be predicted with enough accuracy.

Journal of Mathematics in Industry

An idiom like "Make yourself at home" is rather tricky if you stop to think about it: the imperative verb "make" is followed by a second-person reflexive pronoun ("yourself") and an adverbial phrase ("at home"), but it's difficult to break the phrase into its components.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is better to get a professional to do the cut, as the angling can be rather tricky.

WikiHow

"My fans have always loved my metaphors," he grins at one point during the interview, and it's true, although these cleverly deployed flights of fancy make pinning down who the real Robert Kelly is rather tricky.

The Guardian - Music

Not all tax expenditures are "bad" – and also comparing them across nations is rather tricky.

The Guardian - Business

"The whole story is rather tricky," said Dror Etkes, who monitors settlements for Peace Now.

The New York Times

Some variations are rather tricky and I make a sour face, although they are not sour in character".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was rather tricky", consider the audience and context. While generally acceptable, in more formal settings, a more direct and specific description of the difficulty might be preferable.

Common error

Avoid using "it was rather tricky" as a catch-all phrase. Instead, elaborate on the specific aspects of the situation that made it challenging to provide a clearer understanding for your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was rather tricky" functions as a descriptive statement. It generally serves to characterize a past event or situation as being somewhat difficult or complex. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

19%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was rather tricky" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to describe a situation that presented some difficulty or complexity. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While acceptable in various contexts, from news reports to general writing, more precise and descriptive language might be preferred in highly formal or scientific settings. Consider specifying what made something tricky to avoid vagueness. Semantically related alternatives include ""it proved to be difficult"" or ""it wasn't straightforward"".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was quite complex

Emphasizes the intricate nature of the matter.

it proved to be difficult

Highlights the difficulty that became apparent over time.

it wasn't straightforward

Focuses on the lack of simplicity in the situation.

it presented some challenges

Emphasizes the presence of challenges rather than directly stating the difficulty.

it wasn't a walk in the park

An idiomatic expression indicating the situation was far from easy.

it involved some complexity

Highlights the multifaceted nature of the situation making it difficult.

it demanded considerable effort

Emphasizes the amount of effort needed to overcome the challenge.

it required careful handling

Stresses the need for caution and precision due to potential difficulties.

it needed some finesse

Indicates that skill and delicacy were required.

it posed a problem

Identifies the situation as a hurdle or obstacle.

FAQs

What does "it was rather tricky" mean?

The phrase "it was rather tricky" means that something was somewhat difficult or challenging, but not overwhelmingly so. It suggests a situation requiring careful handling or a clever approach.

What can I say instead of "it was rather tricky"?

You can use alternatives like "it proved to be difficult", "it wasn't straightforward", or "it involved some complexity" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it acceptable to use "it was rather tricky" in formal writing?

While "it was rather tricky" is grammatically correct, it might be perceived as slightly informal. In formal writing, consider using more precise and descriptive language to explain the specific challenges involved.

How can I make my writing more specific when describing something that was tricky?

Instead of just saying "it was rather tricky", describe what made the situation tricky. For example, you could say, "The negotiation required delicate maneuvering" or "The data analysis presented unexpected complexities".