it was tricky

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was tricky" is a correct and usable sentence in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation that had some difficulty or complexity attached to it. For example: "Understanding the financial concepts in this course was tricky, but I eventually got the hang of it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It was tricky early on.

The Guardian - Sport

Even then, it was tricky.

The Guardian - Money

"It was tricky," Murray said afterwards.

Independent

"It was tricky conditions for everyone.

Independent

It was tricky when he started.

The Guardian - Sport

It was tricky to judge it".

The New York Times - Sports

It was tricky going for the visitors too.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

After this, it was trickier.

The Guardian - Books

So it's tricky.

The New York Times - Sports

But it's tricky.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is tricky.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was tricky", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to. For example, instead of saying "It was tricky", specify "Negotiating the contract was tricky" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "it" when describing a complex situation. Vary your sentence structure to maintain clarity and engagement. Instead of "It was tricky. It required a lot of focus. It also demanded precision", consider "The task was tricky, requiring significant focus and demanding precision."

Linguistic Context

"It was tricky" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically serving as the predicate of a sentence. It describes the characteristic of something or some situation to be somewhat difficult or complex. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely considered grammatically sound and acceptable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Sport

20%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

8%

Science

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was tricky" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express that something presented difficulties or complexities. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While generally neutral in tone, it's versatile enough to appear in news, sports reporting, and lifestyle content. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what "it" refers to and consider using more formal alternatives like "it presented challenges" in professional contexts. Avoiding overuse and varying sentence structure will further enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it proved difficult

Highlights the difficulty as a result of experience.

it presented challenges

Emphasizes the presence of challenges rather than inherent difficulty.

it wasn't straightforward

Indicates a lack of directness or simplicity.

it involved some complexity

Indicates intricate or involved elements.

it required careful handling

Focuses on the need for caution and precision.

it was somewhat problematic

Suggests the presence of issues or obstacles.

it demanded precision

Highlights that accuracy was needed.

it wasn't a walk in the park

An idiomatic expression implying difficulty, using figurative language.

it posed a dilemma

Highlights the difficult choice involved.

it called for ingenuity

Focuses on the need for cleverness and resourcefulness.

FAQs

What does "it was tricky" mean?

The phrase "it was tricky" means that something was difficult, complex, or required careful handling. It suggests that the task or situation presented challenges that needed to be overcome with skill or ingenuity.

How can I use "it was tricky" in a sentence?

You can use "it was tricky" to describe various situations where something was not easy or straightforward. For example, "Navigating the legal jargon "it was tricky", but we managed to finalize the agreement".

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

You can use alternatives like "it proved difficult", "it presented challenges", or "it was challenging" depending on the context. These phrases convey a similar meaning while adding variety to your language.

Is "it was tricky" formal or informal?

"It was tricky" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. While acceptable in many contexts, more formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "it presented challenges" or "it required careful handling".