it was tricky for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was tricky for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation that was difficult or challenging for someone or something. Example: "It was tricky for her to navigate the complex rules of the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

While Skype's business wasn't illegal in the US, it was tricky for its founders Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis to travel here after the exploits of its illegal filesharing company Kazaa.

TechCrunch

Certainly, it was tricky for our Big Brother to chide Xi about China's cyberhacking in America.

The New York Times

It was tricky for the boss at the start but I didn't really fear for him.

The Guardian - Sport

"It was tricky for me," Mr. Washington said, "just coming off directing.

The New York Times

"The Pete thing was phenomenal," he continued, "but at the same time it was tricky for me to handle.

The New Yorker

It was tricky for Melbourne because he would have to step up do a PB to put himself in the mix, it was a gamble in that respect but it paid dividends.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

He said it was trickier for low-price retailers such as Primark to make online sales add up because the cost of delivering goods to shoppers' homes was expensive relative to the price of their products.

The Guardian - Business

"It's tricky for me.

The New York Times

"It's tricky for them both financially and politically".

The New York Times

It's tricky for any government to do it alone without upsetting its local bond market.

The Guardian - Business

It is tricky for one country to tell another how to cut its budget.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was tricky for" to describe situations where a specific person or entity faced difficulties or challenges in achieving a goal. Ensure the context clearly identifies who or what found the situation tricky.

Common error

Avoid using "it was tricky for" without specifying who or what experienced the difficulty. For example, instead of saying "It was tricky for success", specify "It was tricky for the company to achieve success".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was tricky for" functions as an adjective phrase that describes a state or condition of something or someone facing a challenge or difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Examples show its use in various contexts, indicating its versatility.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was tricky for" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe situations where someone or something encountered challenges or difficulties. Ludwig AI validates its appropriate use in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts and has a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly identifies who or what found the situation tricky to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "it proved difficult for" or "it presented challenges for" can be used to convey similar meanings with slight variations in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it proved difficult for

Emphasizes the difficulty encountered.

it was a challenge for

Highlights the situation as a challenge.

it presented challenges for

Focuses on the challenges presented rather than the difficulty.

it was taxing for

Highlights the burdensome nature of the situation.

it posed a problem for

Indicates that the situation created a problem.

it was demanding for

Stresses the demanding nature of the situation.

it was arduous for

Emphasizes the laborious nature of the situation.

it required effort from

Focuses on the effort required to overcome the situation.

it strained the ability of

Highlights the strain on someone's ability.

it tested the limits of

Emphasizes that the situation tested the limits.

FAQs

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

Use "it was tricky for" to describe a situation that presented challenges or difficulties for someone or something. For instance, "it was tricky for the team to complete the project on time".

What are some alternatives to "it was tricky for"?

Alternatives include "it proved difficult for", "it was a challenge for", or "it presented challenges for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it was tricky for" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was tricky for" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe a challenging situation.

What's the difference between "it was tricky for" and "it was difficult for"?

While both phrases convey a sense of challenge, "it was tricky for" might suggest a situation requiring cleverness or finesse, whereas "it was difficult for" simply implies a high degree of effort or hardship.