more tricky

USAGE SUMMARY

'more tricky' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It typically describes something that is difficult to do or understand. For example: "My Math homework this week is even more tricky than last week's."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Gove is more tricky.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some questions are more tricky than others.

The New York Times

These are more tricky questions to answer.

Independent

"It's actually a bit more tricky.

Independent

It's more tricky than it seems.

The New Yorker

In contrast, determining influence is more tricky.

The Economist

But there's something more tricky, too.

Independent

This is where things become more tricky.

The Guardian

But "Christianity is a little more tricky," Dr. Hale said.

The New York Times

And: "Karaoke is more tricky than it seems".

The New York Times - Arts

"It's a little more tricky, more steps to do".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more tricky", ensure the context clearly establishes what is already tricky. It implies a comparison, so the baseline should be evident to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "more tricky" when there is no established baseline for comparison. Saying "this is more tricky" without indicating what it is trickier than can confuse the reader. Instead, provide a clear reference point for the comparison.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more tricky" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating its use in comparing the relative difficulty or complexity of different tasks, situations, or concepts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more tricky" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative phrase that indicates a higher degree of difficulty or subtlety. Ludwig's analysis, supported by Ludwig AI, reveals its prevalence across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific domains. While "more tricky" is generally acceptable, being mindful of the comparative context and choosing alternatives like "more challenging" or "more complex" can enhance precision in formal writing. Remember to clearly establish the baseline for comparison when using "more tricky" to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more challenging

Replaces 'tricky' with 'challenging', emphasizing the difficulty requires effort and skill.

more complicated

Substitutes 'tricky' with 'complicated', focusing on the complex nature of the issue.

more difficult

A direct synonym replacement of 'tricky' with 'difficult', highlighting the degree of hardship.

more complex

Similar to 'complicated', but can imply a deeper level of analysis is needed.

more problematic

Replaces 'tricky' with 'problematic', shifting the focus to the potential issues or obstacles.

more intricate

Suggests the situation involves fine details and complexities.

more thorny

Implies the situation is full of hidden dangers or disagreements.

harder to manage

Focuses on the difficulty in controlling or dealing with something.

tougher to handle

Highlights the increased effort needed to manage a situation.

presents more difficulties

A more formal way of saying something is "more tricky", emphasizing the existence of multiple challenges.

FAQs

How can I use "more tricky" in a sentence?

You can use "more tricky" to compare the difficulty of two things, such as "Solving this equation is "more tricky" than I thought" or "Navigating this website is "more tricky" than using the app".

What can I say instead of "more tricky"?

You can use alternatives like "more challenging", "more complicated", or "more difficult" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "more tricky" or "trickier"?

Both "more tricky" and "trickier" can be correct, but "trickier" is generally preferred for shorter words and informal contexts. "More tricky" is suitable for all contexts and can be useful when comparing degrees of difficulty.

What's the difference between "more tricky" and "more complex"?

"More tricky" implies something is deceptive or requires careful maneuvering, while "more complex" suggests something has many interconnected parts and requires thorough understanding. Therefore "more tricky" is not interchangeable with "more complex".