more difficult than

USAGE SUMMARY

This part of a sentence is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to compare two things, or to indicate that one thing is more difficult than something else. For example: "Studying for this exam is more difficult than I anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is much more difficult than poetry.

The New Yorker

This is more difficult than it sounds.

The New Yorker

Are some comparisons more difficult than others?

The New York Times

More difficult than evil ones?

The New York Times - Magazine

That is far more difficult than composing.

The New Yorker

The rehabilitation proved more difficult than anticipated.

The New York Times

French is more difficult than I thought.

The Guardian - Sport

It's more difficult than death-defying acrobatics?

The New Yorker

The process proved more difficult than expected.

The New York Times - Sports

I was more difficult than he was.

The Guardian - Music

That is more difficult than questioning Osborne.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more difficult than", consider whether a more specific adjective might provide better nuance, such as "more complex than" or "more challenging than".

Common error

Ensure that the items being compared are explicitly stated. Avoid vague comparisons that leave the reader unsure of what is actually "more difficult than" what.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more difficult than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. Ludwig examples confirm its use to compare the degree of difficulty between two subjects. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "more difficult than" is a common and grammatically sound comparative phrase used to express that one thing presents a greater challenge than another. Ludwig examples show its widespread use across diverse fields from academia and science to news and media. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. When using this phrase, ensure you are explicitly comparing two distinct items to avoid ambiguity. For more nuanced comparisons, consider using alternatives such as "more challenging than" or "more complex than".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more challenging than

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging", emphasizing the stimulating nature of the difficulty.

more complex than

Focuses on the intricacy involved, rather than just the effort required.

harder than

A more direct and simple synonym for "more difficult than".

more complicated than

Similar to "more complex", but can suggest unnecessary or confusing elements.

more demanding than

Highlights the higher requirements or expectations involved.

more strenuous than

Emphasizes the energy and effort needed.

more taxing than

Indicates that the activity drains resources or energy.

more onerous than

Suggests a heavy or burdensome difficulty.

more intricate than

Focuses on the fine details and complexity requiring careful attention.

more involved than

Indicates a higher degree of participation, commitment, or complexity.

FAQs

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

Use "more difficult than" to compare the relative difficulty of two things. For example, "Solving this problem is "more difficult than" I expected".

What are some alternatives to saying "more difficult than"?

You can use phrases like "more challenging than", "more complex than", or simply "harder than", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "more difficult then" instead of "more difficult than"?

No, "then" indicates time, while "than" is used for comparison. The correct phrase is ""more difficult than"".

What's the difference between "more difficult than" and "less difficult than"?

"More difficult than" indicates a higher degree of difficulty, while "less difficult than" indicates a lower degree of difficulty. They are opposites on a scale of difficulty.