it was so tricky

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was so 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. Example: "The puzzle was so tricky that it took me hours to solve it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Building it was so tricky they figured they could start a company that would use the software to reliably manage other people's Web activities.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Figuring out how to do it well -- it's so tricky.

The New York Times

Because it is so tricky, all drivers are aware of one of the most important aspects of a race weekend in Monaco: pacing their practice and qualifying intelligently.

The New York Times - Sports

One wonders why it is so tricky for the government to do this research, yet so simple for his pharmaceutical financiers to do the same.

The New York Times

But this process has achieved little yet, and in any case the two leaders are trying hard to keep Kashmir's status out of discussions, since it is so tricky to address.Inside Kashmir itself there are various worthy NGOs and activists, some helped by foreign donors, who promote useful things like youth employment, education, care for the environment and the like.

The Economist

In an effort to demonstrate why it is so tricky, we discuss a small selection of current cognitive models describing how sensory information may be perceived, interpreted, stored, and retrieved when we need it.

Modern Cartography Series

It's so tricky when you factor in ethnic representation because a flawed, imperfect character is much more fun to play, when given some dimension, but you also have it in the back of your mind that you're maybe doing your people a disservice.

Vice

It's so tricky you know; you know it's a problem but you still not operate.

BMC Nursing

He explained why it had been so tricky to get the top off it.

BBC

Maybe it's because it is so simple that a ceremony is so tricky to execute.

Huffington Post

If the definition sounds unnecessarily cumbersome, it's because the term itself is so tricky to pin down.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was so tricky", ensure that the context clearly establishes what "it" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader. You may want to rephrase to be more specific if the referent is not immediately clear.

Common error

While "it was so tricky" is acceptable in many situations, overuse can make your writing sound less professional. In formal contexts, consider using more precise language to describe the specific challenges encountered.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was so tricky" functions as a declarative statement expressing the degree of difficulty or complexity encountered in a particular situation or task. This aligns with Ludwig's assessment, affirming its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was so tricky" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express the difficulty or complexity of a situation. As verified by Ludwig, it appears across varied contexts, including news and media, science, and wiki sources. While versatile, writers should be mindful of the context, opting for more formal alternatives in professional settings. The phrase’s effectiveness lies in its ability to succinctly convey the challenges involved, making it a useful addition to one's vocabulary. Overall, it's a straightforward phrase, but ensuring clear context and avoiding overuse will enhance its impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was quite challenging

Emphasizes the level of difficulty, suggesting a task that required significant effort.

it was really difficult

Highlights the degree of hardship involved in the task or situation.

it presented a lot of difficulty

Focuses on the amount of difficulty encountered.

it was rather complex

Indicates the intricate nature of the subject or task.

it proved to be problematic

Highlights that the situation caused problems or issues.

it wasn't straightforward

Underlines the lack of simplicity in the process or situation.

it involved many complications

Draws attention to the multiple layers of difficulty.

it demanded considerable skill

Focuses on the expertise required to handle the situation.

it required careful navigation

Implies the need for caution and precision to succeed.

it posed a unique challenge

Emphasizes the distinct and unusual nature of the difficulty.

FAQs

What does "it was so tricky" mean?

The phrase "it was so tricky" means that something was very difficult, complicated, or required a great deal of skill and care to handle successfully.

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

You can use alternatives like "it was quite challenging", "it was really difficult", or "it presented a lot of difficulty" depending on the context.

Is "it was so tricky" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "it was so tricky" might be too informal for certain formal contexts. Consider more precise alternatives such as "it was rather complex" or "it demanded considerable skill".

Can "it was so tricky" be used to describe a person?

While less common, "it was so tricky" can metaphorically describe a person whose behavior or intentions are difficult to understand or predict. However, it's typically used to describe situations, tasks, or problems.