not an easy thing

USAGE SUMMARY

'not an easy thing' is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is difficult or challenging. For example: "Writing a novel is not an easy thing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's not an easy thing".

The New York Times - Sports

"Being famous is not an easy thing.

The New York Times

It's not an easy thing".

The New York Times - Books

It's not an easy thing to do".

The New York Times

"That's not an easy thing to accomplish".

The New York Times

That's not an easy thing to do.

The Washington Post

It's not an easy thing to navigate.

The Guardian

"It's not an easy thing," Gebrselassie said.

The New York Times - Sports

That is not an easy thing".

The New York Times

"It's not an easy thing to hear".

The New York Times - Sports

Changing people's habits is not an easy thing.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not an easy thing" to acknowledge the difficulty of a situation or task, demonstrating empathy or understanding.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "not an easy thing". Vary your language by using synonyms like "challenging", "difficult", or more specific descriptions of the task's complexity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not an easy thing" functions as a subjective comment on a situation or task, highlighting its inherent difficulty. Ludwig examples show it is typically used to express empathy or understanding of challenges. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not an easy thing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express that something is challenging or difficult. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. While versatile, avoid overusing it and explore synonyms for richer expression. Examples on Ludwig show how this phrase validates difficulties, offers support, or empathizes with hardship.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not a simple task

Replaces 'easy' with 'simple' and 'thing' with 'task' to describe an action that requires effort.

not a walk in the park

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey that something is not effortless or carefree.

not without its challenges

Expresses that something involves difficulties, focusing on the presence of obstacles.

demands significant effort

Highlights the substantial amount of work required for a particular task.

presents considerable difficulty

Emphasizes the level of hardship involved in a particular situation.

poses a significant challenge

Highlights the hurdle that must be overcome to achieve a goal.

far from straightforward

Indicates that something is complex and not easily understood or accomplished.

requires a lot of work

Focuses on the amount of labor needed, rather than inherent difficulty.

is quite demanding

Emphasizes the high requirements and expectations of something.

not as easy as it looks

Implies that something appears simple but is actually more complex in practice.

FAQs

How can I use "not an easy thing" in a sentence?

You can use "not an easy thing" to describe a task, situation, or decision that presents challenges. For example, "Balancing work and family is "not an easy thing"."

What are some alternatives to saying "not an easy thing"?

Alternatives include "difficult", "challenging", "complex", or "demanding". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "not an easy thing" or "not an easy task"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "task" implies a specific action or job, while "thing" is more general. Use "task" when referring to a defined activity and "thing" for broader situations. For example: "Learning to play the piano is "not an easy thing"," but "Completing this project on time is "not an easy task"."

What's the difference between "not an easy thing" and "no easy thing"?

Both phrases convey a similar meaning, but "no easy thing" is often used for more emphasis and impact. "Not an easy thing" is a more neutral and straightforward statement, while "no easy thing" implies a greater degree of difficulty. For example: 'Earning their trust was "not an easy thing",' or 'Gaining access to that information was "no easy thing".'