more difficult case

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more difficult case" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation or problem that presents greater challenges or complexities compared to others. Example: "In this study, we will focus on a more difficult case that highlights the limitations of current methodologies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Syria, however, is a more difficult case.

The New York Times

"So they say no to the more difficult case".

The New York Times

Now ponder a far more difficult case: the "I NY" logo.

The New York Times

KIERAN SETIYA: Yeah, so that is a much more difficult case.

Harvard Business Review

The quarks which you mention are a more difficult case, because we don't think that quarks exist in isolation.

Cornell University

The more difficult case of the nonlinear oscillations of a layered nanobridge piezoelectrically actuated is also studied.

Finite Elements in Analysis and Design

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

"These are the more difficult cases.

The New York Times

More difficult cases would be heard by the bench judges.

Britannica

More difficult cases involving an edentulous, atrophic mandible or comminution should be considered for extraoral exposure.

Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

In these more difficult cases, the welfare recipients would first be offered job training or counseling.

The New York Times

More difficult cases arise when substantive laws command affirmatively different actions, as when two courts order mutually inconsistent equitable remedies.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more difficult case", ensure the context clearly establishes a comparison. For example, "While both scenarios presented challenges, the second was a "more difficult case" due to the limited resources available."

Common error

Avoid using "more difficult case" without providing specific reasons for the increased difficulty. Saying something is a "more difficult case" without explaining why weakens your argument and leaves the reader wondering.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more difficult case" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "case" is the head noun and "more difficult" acts as a pre-modifying adjective phrase. This phrase typically identifies a specific instance, situation, or problem perceived as harder to manage or resolve than another. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

34%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "more difficult case" is a versatile expression used to denote situations or scenarios that pose greater challenges compared to others. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it appears frequently in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts. Its grammatical function is that of a noun phrase acting as a descriptor, and its purpose is to categorize instances based on their complexity. While the phrase is considered grammatically correct, overgeneralization should be avoided, and specific reasons for the increased difficulty should be provided for better clarity. Alternatives like "more complex situation" or "more challenging scenario" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more complex situation

Replaces "case" with "situation", focusing on the overall circumstances.

more challenging scenario

Substitutes "difficult" with "challenging" and "case" with "scenario", highlighting the demanding nature of the situation.

tougher proposition

Uses "tougher" instead of "more difficult" and "proposition" in place of "case", emphasizing the demanding aspect.

trickier matter

Replaces "difficult" with "trickier" and "case" with "matter", suggesting a need for careful handling.

more intricate problem

Uses "intricate" to describe the complexity of the "problem" instead of "difficult".

more demanding instance

Replaces "difficult" with "demanding" and "case" with "instance", highlighting the effort required.

more problematic example

Substitutes "difficult" with "problematic" and "case" with "example", focusing on the issues involved.

more severe situation

Replaces "difficult" with "severe", suggesting a graver level of challenge.

more complicated affair

Uses "complicated" instead of "difficult" and "affair" in place of "case", implying entanglement.

greater hardship

Highlights the element of difficulty being an element of hardship instead of focusing on the situational 'case'.

FAQs

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

You can use "more difficult case" to describe a situation that presents greater challenges compared to others. For instance, "Solving this equation is a "more difficult case" than the previous one because it involves multiple variables."

What is a good alternative for "more difficult case"?

Alternatives include "more complex situation", "more challenging scenario", or "tougher proposition", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct: "more difficult case" or "most difficult case"?

"More difficult case" is used to compare two cases, while "most difficult case" refers to the single, most challenging case among many. The choice depends on whether you are making a comparison or identifying the absolute hardest case.

What's the difference between "more difficult case" and "complicated situation"?

While both phrases suggest complexity, "more difficult case" implies a comparison to another case and highlights the relative degree of difficulty. "Complicated situation" simply emphasizes the intricacy of a single situation without necessarily making a comparison.