looks difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looks difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing an opinion or observation about the complexity of a task or situation. Example: "This math problem looks difficult, but I believe we can solve it with some effort."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

To thwart him the opposition will have to unite behind a credible candidate, which looks difficult.

The Economist

The justice secretary knows his interest in the euro now looks difficult to defend.

The Guardian

The target that India has looks difficult, but is achieveable," said Irani.

The Guardian

A constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress, which looks difficult to attain.

The Economist

Each of those outcomes leads to a different portfolio selection.Renewed growth would obviously be best, and would favour equities, but at the moment looks difficult to pull off.

The Economist

Renewed momentum was expected after the Constitutional Court ruling last July but it has not materialised and the road ahead looks difficult.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

It looked difficult.

The Economist

But in the short term, many markets look difficult.

The Economist

But winning congressional approval for fast track is looking difficult.

The Economist

But after three years things were looking difficult at Artsworld.

The Guardian

Before Mr Panetta's announcement, General Allen's job looked difficult but doable.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looks difficult" when you want to express a subjective assessment of a task's apparent complexity. For instance, "The project looks difficult, but the team has the skills to complete it".

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something "looks difficult" without providing context or suggesting potential solutions. Instead, follow up with an assessment of resources, skills, or alternative approaches.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks difficult" functions as a subjective assessment, expressing an opinion about the apparent complexity of something. Ludwig AI indicates that it's a correct and usable phrase. It is typically used to convey a perception of challenge or complexity based on visual or initial information.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "looks difficult" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey a subjective assessment of complexity. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly featured in news and media contexts, it maintains a neutral register, making it versatile for various communication needs. When using "looks difficult", it's beneficial to provide context or potential solutions to enhance the informative value. Alternatives such as "seems challenging" or "appears troublesome" can be used to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems challenging

This alternative suggests that something presents a significant level of difficulty.

appears troublesome

This alternative indicates that something is likely to cause problems or difficulties.

seems tough

This alternative conveys that something requires strength, effort, or resilience to overcome.

appears complex

This alternative indicates that something has many interconnected parts and is not easy to understand.

seems problematic

This alternative suggests that something presents issues or obstacles that need to be addressed.

appears arduous

This alternative conveys that something is strenuous and requires great effort over a long period.

seems tricky

This alternative suggests that something requires careful handling or maneuvering to avoid problems.

appears serious

This alternative indicates something is grave or consequential.

appears awkward

This alternative conveys that something is uncomfortable or potentially problematic.

seems knotty

This alternative describes something complex and difficult to resolve.

FAQs

What does "looks difficult" mean?

The phrase "looks difficult" is used to express the opinion that something appears challenging or complex. It implies that a task or situation may require significant effort or skill to handle successfully.

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

You can use "looks difficult" to describe anything that seems challenging. For example, "That exam /s/looks+difficult, I need to study hard" or "Negotiating that contract /s/looks+difficult, we may need legal assistance".

What can I say instead of "looks difficult"?

You can use alternatives like "seems challenging", "appears troublesome", or "seems tough" depending on the context.

Is "looks difficult" formal or informal?

"Looks difficult" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "appears complex" or "seems problematic" may be more suitable for highly formal writing.