little difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little difficult" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form would be "a little difficult" or "somewhat difficult." Example: "The exam was a little difficult, but I managed to pass."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There was a little difficult.

The New Yorker

He was a little difficult".

The New York Times

It was a little difficult.

The Guardian - Sport

It's a little difficult to deal with.

The New York Times - Sports

Was a little difficult for me.

The New York Times - Sports

"But the terrain was a little difficult.

The New York Times

It's a little difficult to fasten.

The New Yorker

"It is a little difficult to mingle.

The New York Times

Now, this may be a little difficult to see.

Cornell University

Hiding the lion, however, is a little difficult.

Princeton University

Trying to cut on that plate becomes a little difficult.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the article 'a' before "little difficult" to ensure grammatical correctness: "a little difficult".

Common error

The most common mistake is omitting the article 'a' before "little". While understandable in informal speech, it's crucial to include it in writing to maintain grammatical accuracy. For example, write "It was a little difficult" instead of "It was little difficult".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little difficult" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating the degree of difficulty. Although Ludwig AI marks it as incorrect, it is still widely used as showcased by the provided examples. Standard English, however, requires the article 'a' for grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "little difficult" is frequently used across various contexts, including news and academic writing, Ludwig AI points out it is grammatically incorrect due to the missing article 'a'. To ensure correctness, especially in formal writing, it's essential to use "a little difficult". Alternatives like "slightly challenging" or "somewhat problematic" can also be used. Remember to always include the article 'a' in formal contexts to maintain grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly challenging

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging" and "little" with "slightly", softening the tone.

a bit tricky

Uses "tricky" instead of "difficult", suggesting a need for careful handling. The term "bit" replaces "little".

somewhat problematic

Substitutes "difficult" with "problematic", indicating a potential issue rather than just a challenge. "Little" is replaced by "somewhat".

moderately complex

Replaces "difficult" with "complex", implying intricacy. "Little" is substituted with "moderately".

not entirely straightforward

Offers a more descriptive alternative, emphasizing the lack of simplicity.

presented some challenges

Shifts the focus to the presence of challenges rather than a direct statement of difficulty.

posed a slight hurdle

Introduces a metaphor, comparing the difficulty to a small obstacle. "Slight" replaces "little".

presented a few obstacles

Highlights the presence of obstacles, using "a few" to quantify them.

a minor inconvenience

Downplays the difficulty, presenting it as a mere inconvenience. Article 'a' added.

required some effort

Focuses on the effort needed, rather than the inherent difficulty.

FAQs

How do I correctly use "little difficult" in a sentence?

To use it correctly, include the article 'a' before "little", forming "a little difficult". For instance: "The task was "a little difficult"".

What are some alternatives to "little difficult"?

Alternatives include phrases like "slightly challenging", "somewhat problematic", or "a bit tricky".

Is it grammatically correct to say "little difficult"?

According to standard English grammar, it's more correct to say "a little difficult". The inclusion of the article 'a' is important for grammatical accuracy.

What's the difference between "little difficult" and "a little difficult"?

While the meaning is often understood in both cases, "a little difficult" is grammatically correct due to the inclusion of the article 'a'. Omitting the article is a common error, but including it ensures proper grammar.