make it tricky

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make it tricky" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest that something should be made more difficult or complicated. Example: "To challenge the students, let's make it tricky by adding some unexpected twists to the quiz."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

As Amazon is widely thought to be working on a device that also uses Android, this could make it tricky to distinguish its product from these other iPad wannabes.

MIT Technology Review

Rum is distilled from fermented sugarcane juice, syrup or molasses and its global variation can make it tricky to pin down.

Los Angeles Times

But its status as a legal hot potato may make it tricky to sign up ISPs and manufacturers or even to renew with existing entertainment partners.

Forbes

Does that make it tricky sometime?

The New York Times - Sports

" Such conditions make it tricky to recruit new staff.

The Guardian

And US free speech laws make it tricky to censor artistic expression.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

That should make it trickier for companies like Neutral Fuels to compete and make a profit.

BBC

Some states allow you to do this online, but other states make it trickier.

Vice

Technology Steps In New technology may make it trickier than ever for the many people who text and drive.

Huffington Post

Just be aware that doing this will make it trickier to cut.

WikiHow

Sunglasses make it trickier to judge a scene properly and make it really difficult to judge what's on your camera's monitor.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, consider replacing "make it tricky" with more specific language that pinpoints the source or type of difficulty. For example, instead of saying "The new rules make it tricky to comply", you could say "The new rules complicate compliance due to ambiguous definitions".

Common error

In formal writing, avoid overusing the phrase "make it tricky", as it may come across as informal or lacking precision. Instead, opt for alternatives like "complicate", "pose a challenge", or "present difficulties" to maintain a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make it tricky" functions as a verb phrase used to describe an action that introduces some level of difficulty or complication into a situation. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make it tricky" is a versatile expression used to denote the introduction of difficulty or complexity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and commonly used in various contexts, predominantly in news and media. While generally acceptable, it's essential to consider the context and audience, opting for more formal alternatives like "complicate" or "present difficulties" in academic or professional settings. Remember to pinpoint the source of difficulty for clarity and avoid overuse to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make it complex

Focuses on the resulting state of complexity.

make it problematic

Focuses on the possibility of problems arising.

complicate matters

Focuses on adding complexity, implying potential problems.

pose a challenge

Highlights the difficulty as something that needs to be overcome.

present difficulties

Emphasizes the existence of problems or obstacles.

add a layer of complexity

Stresses the act of increasing intricacy.

introduce an obstacle

Focuses on placing a barrier in the way.

heighten the difficulty

Emphasizes increasing the level of challenge.

render it problematic

Highlights that the focus is on something becoming a problem.

create a snag

Emphasizes a small, unexpected difficulty or problem.

FAQs

How can I use "make it tricky" in a sentence?

You can use "make it tricky" to describe something that introduces difficulty or complexity into a situation. For example, "The new regulations "make it tricky" for small businesses to compete".

What can I say instead of "make it tricky"?

Alternatives to "make it tricky" include "complicate matters", "pose a challenge", or "present difficulties". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "make it tricky" too informal for academic writing?

While generally acceptable, "make it tricky" might be considered informal for some academic contexts. Consider alternatives like "complicate", "present difficulties" or "pose a challenge" to maintain a formal tone.

What's the difference between "make it tricky" and "make it difficult"?

"Make it tricky" often implies a subtle or nuanced difficulty, while "make it difficult" suggests a more straightforward or significant obstacle. "Make it tricky" can also imply a situation requiring cleverness or strategy to overcome, whereas "make it difficult" simply denotes increased effort or hardship.