it was really tricky

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was really tricky" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or task that was difficult or complicated to navigate or complete. Example: "The math problem was so complex that it was really tricky to solve without assistance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"Your legs get tired too because you're doing so many small adjustment steps to try and get yourself in the right position - it was really tricky today".

BBC

"I was delighted (with his 124) because it was really tricky this morning and I didn't feel like I was seeing it very well and then I had to work hard".

BBC

"We had hard tyres and when you slow down the tyres [cool down] and then you lose the grip more and more, and at the end it was really tricky and I had cold tyres, so I just tried to slow down.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"It's really tricky," Ms. Attenberg said.

The New York Times

"It's really tricky," Linklater responded.

The New Yorker

But it's really tricky to have your identity shattered and remade".

The New York Times - Magazine

"I think as soon as you start censoring some things and not others, it's really tricky," says Greenland.

Independent

"It's really tricky, especially something where the public is involved because no name is going to be hands down better than another".

The New York Times

Terranova: It's really tricky, because you don't want to ever give a filmmaker advice on what you think they should do with a movie.

The New York Times

"It's really tricky stuff, and it's very politically incorrect to wonder if we're going too far," he said.

The New Yorker

We're not against the notion of raising standards but the way they are trying to metricise it is really tricky".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was really tricky" when you want to convey that something required careful maneuvering or cleverness to handle successfully. It's suitable for describing situations, tasks, or even people.

Common error

While "really" intensifies the adjective, overuse can weaken your writing, especially in formal settings. Consider stronger, more specific adjectives like "challenging", "complex", or "intricate" to add more impact to your descriptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was really tricky" functions as a descriptive statement. It typically expresses that something was difficult to manage or required care and skill. Ludwig AI confirms this by categorizing it as correct English usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was really tricky" is a commonly used phrase to describe something difficult or complicated. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used, especially in news and media contexts. While versatile, remember to consider stronger alternatives like "challenging" or "complex" for formal writing to maintain impact. This phrase effectively communicates the need for careful handling or cleverness in a given situation. Therefore "it was really tricky" is appropriate in many contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it presented a real challenge

Emphasizes the challenging nature of the situation rather than its trickiness.

it proved to be quite difficult

Highlights the difficulty encountered, often after an attempt.

it posed a significant problem

Focuses on the problematic aspect, implying a need for resolution.

it required careful handling

Suggests the need for delicacy and precision in dealing with something.

it wasn't a walk in the park

An idiomatic expression conveying that something was not easy.

it demanded considerable skill

Emphasizes the level of expertise required.

it was far from straightforward

Highlights the lack of simplicity and directness.

navigating it was no easy feat

Focuses on the act of navigating a challenging situation.

it tested my abilities

Emphasizes that this situation can test you.

it was fraught with difficulty

Highlights the complexity in doing something.

FAQs

What does "it was really tricky" mean?

The phrase "it was really tricky" means something was difficult, complicated, or required careful handling. It suggests a situation that demanded skill or cleverness to navigate successfully.

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

You can use alternatives like "it presented a real challenge", "it proved to be quite difficult", or "it posed a significant problem" depending on the context.

Is "it was really tricky" formal or informal?

The phrase "it was really tricky" leans towards being informal due to the use of "really". For more formal situations, consider using alternatives like "it was exceedingly complex" or "it presented a considerable challenge".

Can "it was really tricky" be used to describe people?

Yes, "it was really tricky" can describe people in the sense that dealing with them or understanding them presented a challenge. For example, "Negotiating with him was really tricky because he kept changing his mind".