little difficult to

USAGE SUMMARY

"little difficult to" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example: "It was a little difficult to find all the ingredients I needed for the recipe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a little difficult to deal with.

The New York Times - Sports

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

I think it would be a little difficult to Occupy".

The New Yorker

"That made it a little difficult to continue," she said.

The New York Times

This is a little difficult to swallow, I realize.

The New York Times

We used Charmin toilet paper, which was a little difficult to write on.

Columbia University

It is, therefore, a little difficult to say what rule of law the company is seeking.

Columbia University

"It's a little difficult to predict how quickly we can build the communities," Mr Pluthero said.

Independent

"I find it a little difficult to understand," Platini said, according to The Guardian.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "little difficult to" when you want to express a mild degree of challenge or complexity without being overly negative. It's suitable for situations that require a gentle tone.

Common error

Avoid using "little difficult to" when the situation warrants a stronger expression of difficulty. Phrases like "extremely challenging" or "nearly impossible" might be more appropriate if the task is truly arduous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little difficult to" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a verb, typically expressing a subjective assessment of the effort or complexity involved in performing an action. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

21%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

11%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "little difficult to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a mild level of challenge. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile, fitting comfortably into various contexts ranging from news reports to academic papers. When writing, remember that while widely accepted, this phrase is best used when you want to downplay the degree of difficulty. If a task or situation is highly challenging, stronger language might be more effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat challenging to

Expresses a slightly more formal tone and focuses on the challenge aspect.

slightly problematic to

Highlights the potential issues or troubles that may arise.

a tad complicated to

Emphasizes the complexity involved, using a more informal expression.

a bit tricky to

Focuses on the subtlety and potential for error or misstep.

not entirely straightforward to

Implies a lack of directness or simplicity in the process.

moderately complex to

Uses a more technical and formal vocabulary to suggest difficulty.

poses some challenges to

Shifts the focus to the obstacles or difficulties presented.

presents minor hurdles to

Downplays the difficulty, framing it as a series of small obstacles.

not a walk in the park to

Idiomatic expression that suggests the task is not easy or effortless.

less than simple to

Underlines the lack of simplicity, implying added steps or considerations.

FAQs

How can I use "little difficult to" in a sentence?

You can use "little difficult to" to describe a task or situation that presents a mild challenge. For example, "It's a "little difficult to" understand the instructions at first, but it gets easier with practice."

What are some alternatives to "little difficult to"?

Alternatives include "somewhat challenging to", "slightly problematic to", or "a tad complicated to", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it okay to use "little difficult to" in formal writing?

While "little difficult to" is generally acceptable, it may be more appropriate to use more formal alternatives like "moderately complex to" in academic or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "little difficult to" and "very difficult to"?

"Little difficult to" suggests a mild challenge, while "very difficult to" implies a significant obstacle. Use "little difficult to" when you want to downplay the degree of difficulty and "very difficult to" when you want to emphasize it.