Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

much difficult

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

"much difficult" is not considered correct and usable in written English.
To express the same idea, you can use the phrase "very difficult". For example: "This math problem is very difficult."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Mrs. Clinton said much difficult work remained.

News & Media

The New York Times

Crawford was not so much difficult as monstrous, Arnold suggests.

News & Media

The Guardian

"They're not so much difficult as not obvious.

Much difficult habitat restoration will be required to assure the long-term viability of these grizzlies.

Around the world experimental tornado simulators are very limited which makes estimating tornado induced forces much difficult.

The task of controlling inverted pendulum on inclined surface is much difficult as compared to that moving on horizontal surface.

Show more...

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

It's much more difficult.

News & Media

The New York Times

This is much more difficult.

News & Media

The Economist

"Peace is much more difficult".

News & Media

The New Yorker

The risotto is not much more difficult.

It makes things much more difficult".

News & Media

The New Yorker
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and grammatical correctness, replace "much difficult" with alternatives like "very difficult" or "extremely difficult". These alternatives are widely accepted and ensure your writing is perceived as professional and polished.

Common error

Avoid using "much" directly before adjectives like "difficult". "Much" typically modifies verbs or uncountable nouns. For adjectives, use adverbs like "very", "extremely", or "particularly" instead.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

2.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "much difficult" functions as a modifier, attempting to intensify the adjective "difficult". However, this construction is grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig indicates that it is not considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "much difficult" appears in various sources, including science and news media, it is grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI confirms that it is not considered a correct or usable construction. For clearer and more professional writing, replace "much difficult" with alternatives like "very difficult" or "extremely difficult". Although the phrase is relatively frequent, prioritize grammatical accuracy for effective communication.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically correct way to say "much difficult"?

Instead of "much difficult", you can use phrases like "very difficult", "extremely difficult", or "particularly difficult" to convey the same meaning with correct grammar.

When is it appropriate to use "much difficult"?

While "much difficult" appears in some contexts, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's best to avoid this phrase in formal writing and opt for more accepted alternatives.

What are some alternatives to "much difficult" that emphasize a high degree of challenge?

If you want to emphasize the intensity of the difficulty, consider using phrases like "remarkably difficult", "exceptionally difficult", or "highly challenging".

Is "much difficult" ever considered acceptable in certain dialects or regional variations of English?

While some non-standard dialects might use constructions similar to "much difficult", it is not considered standard English. Therefore, it's best to use grammatically correct alternatives in most contexts.

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

2.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: