less of a difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less of a difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the level of difficulty of two or more tasks or situations, indicating that one is not as challenging as the other. Example: "This new software update presents less of a difficulty than the previous version did."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

13, 24, 41, 44 Fewer data are available on mathematics, but in general results suggest that this was less of a difficulty than reading, although mathematical ability tended to be lower than in comparison groups.

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Based on these findings, we excluded all items with a face validity rating of more than two on average, a dimensionality of less than 70% correct allocations, a discrimination of less than.7 and a difficulty of >7.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Language, even and in particular at its most evocative, becomes less of an aid and more of a difficulty.

The Guardian - Books

Furthermore, as the graduates in this study have successfully completed third-level qualifications in the host country, we can confidently assume that language difficulties are much less of a factor.

IZA Journal of Migration

There were many times when we held each other at night, after the kids had gone to bed, and life's difficulty had thinned from less of an all-consuming ocean wave and into more of a slight lapping on the beach; we would cuddle and remind one another that our love has only grown through it all, and that we are stronger through these challenges.

Huffington Post

How can we fix this? —Martha, Buffalo, NY A. If you would, Martha, let me start with a digression that isn't intended to make any less of your situation: Difficulties with the in-laws!

The New York Times

Rice plants that happen to bloom on hot days are less likely to produce grains of rice, a difficulty that is already starting to emerge in inland areas of China and other Asian countries as temperatures begin to climb.

The New York Times

First, the understanding of neurological disorder is considerably less, because of difficulty in obtaining brain tissue for many cases.

BMC Systems Biology

Out of 28 questions, 8 had a difficulty factor of less than 0.75.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

The most logical explanation for the finding of less bathing difficulty is the services provided by the HVN intervention itself.

BMC Geriatrics

9 Physicians are more likely than nurses to think that the two groups are working well together, 10 11 perhaps because physicians' higher status makes them less aware of difficulties that nurses experience in the relationship.

BMJ Quality and Safety

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two situations, use "less of a difficulty" to highlight a relative improvement in ease or simplicity.

Common error

Avoid substituting simpler terms with overly sophisticated vocabulary when "less of a difficulty" is perfectly adequate. Clarity is often more effective than complexity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less of a difficulty" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to describe something as presenting a lower level of challenge or problem compared to something else. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less of a difficulty" is a grammatically correct and usable expression used to indicate a reduced level of challenge or complication. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it's considered a rare expression. It appears across various contexts including science, news media, and formal business communication. When using this phrase, ensure it clearly compares two distinct situations. Consider alternatives like "easier" or "less challenging" for simplicity. Common errors include overusing complex vocabulary when simpler terms suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less challenging

Direct synonym, replacing "difficulty" with "challenging".

easier to manage

Focuses on manageability as opposed to difficulty.

simpler to handle

Highlights ease of management instead of reduced difficulty.

more straightforward

Shifts the perspective to simplicity rather than reduced difficulty.

less troublesome

Replaces difficulty with the concept of being troublesome.

not as problematic

Emphasizes the absence of problems rather than the lessening of difficulty.

less demanding

Focuses on reduced demands or requirements.

not as complex

Replaces difficulty with the concept of complexity.

requires less effort

Shifts the focus to the amount of effort needed.

more accessible

Emphasizes the ease of access rather than the reduction in difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "less of a difficulty" in a sentence?

You can use "less of a difficulty" to compare the challenges associated with two different situations. For example, "The new system presents "less of a difficulty" compared to the old one".

What's a simpler way to say "less of a difficulty"?

Alternatives include "easier", "less challenging", or "more straightforward", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "less difficulty" instead of "less of a difficulty"?

While "less difficulty" is sometimes used, ""less of a difficulty"" is generally more grammatically correct and conveys a clearer meaning, particularly when referring to a specific problem.

What's the difference between "less of a difficulty" and "easier"?

"Less of a difficulty" implies a comparison to something else, while ""easier"" can stand alone. "This task is "easier"" versus "This task presents "less of a difficulty" than that one".