more difficult than normal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more difficult than normal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or task that presents greater challenges than what is typically expected. Example: "The exam was more difficult than normal, leaving many students feeling unprepared."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Our results demonstrate that daily activities were 'no more difficult than normal' from as little as 1 h after treatment with the triple combination (Table 2).

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Over the set of all treated headache episodes in the EE population, daily activities were rated 'no more difficult than normal' as early as 1 h after dosing in 30.2% of headaches treated with AAC, increasing to 76.1% by 4 h (Table 2).

The Journal of Headache and Pain

It implies that the separation of tumor and mixed tissue is more difficult than normal and necrosis.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Plastic surgery procedures on the face introduce skin texture variations between images of the same person (intra-subject), thereby making the task of face recognition more difficult than in normal scenario.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

It has to go long distances, it has to survive under difficult circumstances, much more difficult than a normal civilian airliner.

Huffington Post

Recent reports have revealed that distinguishing between perimetric glaucoma and preperimetric glaucoma is more difficult than differentiating normal participants from patients with glaucoma 39 with early VF damage.

BMJ Open

The thought of pan frying quail eggs may seem a little daunting, but it's no more difficult than frying a normal egg.

Independent

Which was probably a good distraction from comments she made during an interview with E! Online, in which she implied that her work and life balance, as a multi-million-earning film star, is far more difficult than that of normal parents working a 9-to-5 job.

Independent

In other words, adjustment of regulation of genes in the network by external intervention in the SSc fibroblasts is more difficult than that in the normal fibroblasts.

Plosone

Clinical diagnosis of UTUCs in CKD patients with the available urological and imaging methods is much more difficult than in patients with normal renal function due to atrophic kidneys and poor excretory functions in these patients.

BioMed Research International

This made the comparisons more difficult than a comparison between only normal and tumor tissues, because we are not sure if normal tissue is an expected intermediate between blood and tumor.

BMC Systems Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more difficult than normal", ensure the context clearly establishes what is considered "normal" for effective comparison. Be specific about the baseline for difficulty.

Common error

Avoid using "more difficult than normal" without specifying what "normal" refers to. Without a clear reference point, the comparison becomes meaningless and confusing for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more difficult than normal" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun by indicating a higher degree of difficulty relative to what is considered typical or standard. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "more difficult than normal" is a grammatically correct and commonly used comparative adjective phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it serves to express that something is more challenging or requires more effort than typically expected. While the register is neutral, more precise language might be preferable in formal or scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines what constitutes "normal" for effective comparison. Common alternatives include "harder than usual" and "more challenging than average".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harder than usual

This alternative replaces "difficult" with "harder" and "normal" with "usual", offering a simpler and more common expression of the same idea.

more challenging than average

This alternative substitutes "difficult" with "challenging" and "normal" with "average", emphasizing the stimulating aspect of the difficulty.

tougher than expected

This alternative uses "tougher" instead of "more difficult" and "expected" in place of "normal", highlighting the surprise element of the increased difficulty.

not as easy as it should be

This alternative uses a negative construction to express that something is more difficult than anticipated.

presents greater challenges than typical

This alternative is a more formal way of saying that something is more difficult than normal. Replacing "difficult" with a more descriptive phrase.

more complicated than standard

This variation uses "complicated" to specify the type of difficulty, focusing on the increased complexity compared to a standard situation.

above the ordinary level of difficulty

This alternative replaces "normal" with "ordinary level of difficulty", creating a more formal and descriptive expression.

unusually demanding

This alternative replaces the entire phrase with a concise adjective, "unusually demanding", which captures the essence of increased difficulty.

poses unforeseen hurdles

This option changes the comparison to emphasize unexpected obstacles, indicating that the difficulty arises from unanticipated challenges.

proves unexpectedly arduous

This alternative uses a stronger word ("arduous") for difficult and highlights that the task turned out to be more difficult than was initially thought.

FAQs

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

You can use "more difficult than normal" to describe a situation or task that presents greater challenges than what is typically expected. For example, "The exam was more difficult than normal, leaving many students feeling unprepared."

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

Alternatives include "harder than usual", "more challenging than average", or "tougher than expected", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "more difficult than normal" in formal writing?

While acceptable, "more difficult than normal" might be considered somewhat informal. In formal writing, consider using more precise alternatives such as "presents greater challenges than typical" or "above the ordinary level of difficulty".

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

"More difficult than normal" generally implies increased effort or hardship. "More complex than normal" suggests increased intricacy or a greater number of interconnected parts. The choice depends on the specific aspect of the task or situation you're describing.