likely difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

"likely difficult" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to express that something is probably challenging or hard to accomplish. For example, "The task will be likely difficult for most students." Alternative expressions include "probably challenging" and "likely hard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

"Additionally, we suspect that unemployment will rise over the coming months as economic activity weakens appreciably and business uncertainties are stoked by the government triggering article 50, thereby bringing likely difficult negotiations with the EU to the forefront".

The Guardian - Business

And honestly, at this stage it feels a bit unfocused – and likely difficult to judge, giving the subjectivity of attempting to compare projects with entirely different goals in completely different fields.

TechCrunch

In addition to having one point person from the clerkship to rely on for advice and mentorship during this likely difficult time for the student, it is wise to have them notify their formal medical school advisor and any other mentors they may have in order to have an adequate support system in place as they travel through the remediation plan.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

We consider that choosing to focus on learning style orientations (henceforth 'LSO's) rather than individual learning styles is preferable for both researchers and teachers, as tracking the effect of numerous individualised learning styles on classroom participation is likely difficult, particularly with large class sizes.

Language Testing in Asia

If you reside in a place with regular access to popular television, magazines, or the Internet, it's likely difficult to get through a single day without an onslaught of articles telling you how to "GET JENNIFER ANISTON'S ABS…in 30 DAYS OR LESS".

Huffington Post

It is most likely difficult get below 15 hrs of response delay due to the Oscour® technical architecture.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

It would most likely be difficult for any Chinese government company, however, to directly purchase Potash.

The New York Times

Stotish acknowledged that approval of AquaBounty's product is likely more difficult because they are the first.

The Guardian

If Mr. Patek has been captured, it will likely raise difficult questions about what next to do with him.

The New York Times

The other was very likely more difficult to handle: knowing that the yellow jersey would no longer be his.

The New York Times - Sports

And for the Ukrainian team it was mission accomplished, albeit in second place with a likely more difficult opponent next.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about future events, consider if "likely difficult" accurately reflects the predicted challenges. If certainty is higher, stronger phrases like "undoubtedly difficult" may be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "likely difficult" excessively, as overuse can dilute the impact of your writing. Consider alternative phrasing or restructuring sentences to convey the same meaning more concisely and impactfully.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likely difficult" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a probable challenge. Examples in Ludwig show this phrase describing negotiations, tasks and even the recovery from deprivation. Ludwig AI affirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "likely difficult" is a versatile adjectival phrase used to describe anticipated challenges across various contexts. Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability, particularly in scientific and journalistic writing. While common, it's crucial to avoid overuse and consider stronger alternatives when appropriate. The phrase strikes a balance between acknowledging potential hardship and maintaining a neutral tone, making it a valuable tool for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

probably challenging

Emphasizes the challenging aspect more directly than "difficult".

potentially problematic

Highlights the possibility of problems arising.

possibly troublesome

Suggests something that might cause trouble or difficulty.

potentially arduous

Uses a more formal word, "arduous", to describe the difficulty.

predictably complicated

Focuses on the expectation of complication.

foreseeably complex

Indicates that complexity can be foreseen.

expected to be tough

Uses a more informal word, "tough", to describe the difficulty.

bound to be taxing

Highlights the burdensome or draining nature of the difficulty.

certain to be demanding

Stresses the demanding nature of the task or situation.

anticipated to be intricate

Indicates a level of complexity requiring careful attention.

FAQs

How can I use "likely difficult" in a sentence?

You can use "likely difficult" to describe tasks or situations that are expected to be challenging. For example: "Negotiating the contract will be "likely difficult" due to conflicting interests."

What are some alternatives to "likely difficult"?

Alternatives include "probably challenging", "potentially problematic", or "possibly troublesome". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "likely difficult" the same as "probably difficult"?

While similar, "likely" suggests a slightly higher degree of probability than "probably". "Likely difficult" implies a strong expectation of difficulty, whereas "probably difficult" suggests a somewhat lesser expectation.

When is it better to use a stronger phrase than "likely difficult"?

If the difficulty is almost certain, consider using phrases like "undoubtedly difficult" or "certainly challenging". These convey a higher degree of certainty about the challenge.