markedly more difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "markedly more difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a significant increase in difficulty compared to something else. Example: "The new math curriculum is markedly more difficult than the previous one, challenging students to think critically."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Yet that task could become markedly more difficult now given the current problems with the United States mortgage market.

The New York Times

Travel between the US and the Middle East has always been markedly more difficult than with Europe.

The Guardian

Moreover, Iran might well respond by seeking to make life markedly more difficult for US and Nato forces in neighbouring Afghanistan.

The Guardian - Opinion

Searching for categorical targets is markedly more difficult that searching for specific targets.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

On top of the conflict, the rainy season has made it markedly more difficult and expensive to transport commodities through much of the country.

Huffington Post

If Harborside is forced to close, where will I get my medicine?" DeAngelo pledges to continue to help his customers should his business shutter, but noted that it will be markedly more difficult.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

To counteract this "molecular mimicry" by pathogens, the diversity of host defence proteins may be markedly enhanced, making it more difficult to determine orthologous relationships within gene families.

Genes to Cells

Tier 1 strains are markedly neutralization-sensitive; tier 2 strains are more difficult to neutralize and represent the average neutralization sensitivity of primary HIV isolates including most recently transmitted strains of HIV-C [7].

Plosone

The latest video is similar to these past works in its sweeping view of an artificial fractal fantasia, but its mood which Horsthuis says is the most difficult artistic choice to make is markedly more dark.  .

Vice

In some sectors that has changed markedly, with the consequence that theft has become much more difficult.

The Guardian - Opinion

If this alternative account is correct, then markedly poor performance on the flanker task (the easier task from the point of view of resolving conflict) should always be associated with markedly impaired performance on the Stroop task; the potentially more difficult task.

Aphasiology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "markedly more difficult" to emphasize a significant increase in difficulty, rather than a slight or negligible change. This phrase is effective when you want to highlight a substantial difference in the level of challenge.

Common error

Avoid using "markedly more difficult" in very casual or informal settings. While grammatically correct, its slightly formal tone might sound out of place in everyday conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "much harder" or "way more difficult" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "markedly more difficult" functions as an intensifier followed by a comparative adjective phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it emphasizes the degree to which something is more challenging compared to something else. It is used to highlight a notable increase in difficulty.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "markedly more difficult" is a phrase used to emphasize a considerable increase in difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. While suitable for formal and neutral settings, it might be less appropriate for very informal conversations. Consider using synonyms like "significantly more challenging" or "considerably more arduous" to add variety to your writing. Be mindful of the context to ensure the phrase aligns with the intended tone and level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly more challenging

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging" and "markedly" with "significantly", suggesting a notable increase in demands or obstacles.

considerably more arduous

Substitutes "difficult" with "arduous" and "markedly" with "considerably", indicating a substantial increase in effort and exertion required.

substantially more demanding

Replaces "difficult" with "demanding" and "markedly" with "substantially", emphasizing a considerable increase in requirements and expectations.

noticeably tougher

Uses "tougher" instead of "difficult" and "noticeably" to replace "markedly", making the phrase less formal.

appreciably harder

Replaces "difficult" with "harder" and "markedly" with "appreciably", indicating a tangible increase in the level of hardship.

distinctly more complicated

Substitutes "difficult" with "complicated" and "markedly" with "distinctly", highlighting a clear increase in complexity and intricacy.

vastly more intricate

Replaces "difficult" with "intricate" and "markedly" with "vastly", suggesting a large increase in the complexity of something.

demonstrably more taxing

Uses "taxing" instead of "difficult" and "demonstrably" to replace "markedly", highlighting that the increased difficult can be clearly shown.

patently more problematic

Replaces "difficult" with "problematic" and "markedly" with "patently", highlighting that the increased difficult creates obvious issues.

measurably more challenging

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging" and "markedly" with "measurably", indicating that the increased difficulty can be quantified.

FAQs

How can I use "markedly more difficult" in a sentence?

Use "markedly more difficult" to describe a task, situation, or concept that has become significantly harder compared to a previous state or another comparable item. For example, "The advanced course is "markedly more difficult" than the introductory one".

What are some alternatives to "markedly more difficult"?

You can use alternatives such as "significantly more challenging", "considerably more arduous", or "substantially more demanding" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "markedly more difficult" formal or informal?

"Markedly more difficult" leans towards the formal side due to the adverb "markedly". In informal contexts, simpler phrases like "much more difficult" or "way harder" might be more appropriate.

When should I use "markedly more difficult" instead of "slightly more difficult"?

Use "markedly more difficult" when the increase in difficulty is substantial and noticeable. If the difference is small, "slightly more difficult" or "somewhat more difficult" would be more accurate.