may prove tricky

USAGE SUMMARY

"may prove tricky" is correct and usable in written English.
It implies that something is likely to be difficult. For example: "The final exam may prove tricky, so make sure to study hard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Wooing this partner may prove tricky.

The Economist

But filling seats may prove tricky.

The Economist

But getting it dismantled may prove tricky.

The Economist

The momentum of solar may prove tricky to sustain.

The New York Times

Reviving the German firm's equipment arm may prove tricky.

The Economist

Unfortunately our own Twitter name may prove tricky.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Fargo may prove trickier.

Independent

Agreeing to a set of policy goals is one thing; determining who should pay for them may prove trickier.

The Economist

President Bush has resisted demands that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which oversees the interstate electricity market, should impose such caps a stance he firmly repeated to California's governor, Gray Davis, last week.But the president's principled stand against price controls may prove trickier to sustain in the days ahead.

The Economist

"Jim Hamilton's exit means the Cherry and Whites have to replace a leader and a big physical lock - the latter may prove trickier than the former.

BBC

Reprising a Murray/Ryan-type deal may prove trickier, however, in the new Congress, where Republicans control both chambers.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may prove tricky" when you want to cautiously suggest that a task or situation is likely to be more difficult than it initially appears. It's suitable for professional communication where you need to avoid sounding overly negative or pessimistic.

Common error

Avoid relying on "may prove tricky" as a crutch. While useful, overusing vague language can diminish the impact of your writing. Replace it with more specific language such as "could present difficulties" or "might be problematic" when appropriate to give the reader a clearer picture of the potential challenges.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may prove tricky" functions as a modal verb phrase used to express a cautious prediction or assessment about the potential difficulty of a situation or task. According to Ludwig AI, it implies that something is likely to be difficult.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may prove tricky" is a versatile expression used to suggest potential difficulties with a task or situation. Grammatically sound and widely recognized, it's a staple in professional and news contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English and implies potential difficulty. While alternatives like "could be challenging" or "might be problematic" exist, understanding its cautious and predictive function allows writers to use it effectively, avoiding overuse and ensuring clarity in communication. With an expert rating of 4.5, this phrase is a solid choice for expressing potential challenges in a nuanced way.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be challenging

Emphasizes the difficulty as a challenge to be overcome.

might be problematic

Highlights the potential for problems or issues to arise.

could present difficulties

Focuses on the difficulties that might emerge.

might encounter obstacles

Suggests the possibility of facing obstacles.

could turn out to be complex

Indicates a potential for complexity.

may not be straightforward

Implies a lack of simplicity and directness.

might not be easy

Directly states the potential lack of ease.

could be more difficult than expected

Highlights the potential for difficulty exceeding initial expectations.

may involve some complications

Indicates the possibility of complications.

might pose some issues

Suggests the potential for certain issues to arise.

FAQs

How can I use "may prove tricky" in a sentence?

"May prove tricky" suggests a potential difficulty. For example, "Implementing the new software may prove tricky, so allow extra time for training".

What does "may prove tricky" mean?

It means that something is likely to be difficult or challenging, though not impossible.

What are some alternatives to "may prove tricky"?

You can use alternatives like "could be challenging", "might be problematic", or "may not be straightforward".

Is it better to say "may be tricky" or "may prove tricky"?

"May prove tricky" is generally considered more formal and emphasizes the unfolding or realization of the difficulty over time. "May be tricky" is a more direct and informal way to express a similar sentiment.