not as difficult as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not as difficult as" is grammatically correct and is commonly used in written English.
It can be used to compare two things, with the first one being less difficult than the second one. Example: "Writing a short essay was not as difficult as writing a research paper."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pleasing everyone is not as difficult as it might seem.

The New York Times - Travel

This is not as difficult as it may seem.

The Guardian - Opinion

But this issue is not as difficult as it seems.

The New York Times

Fortunately, this is not as difficult as it may sound.

The New York Times

This is not as difficult as some make out.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But not as difficult as it might have been.

The Guardian - Sport

Writing historical pastiche is not as difficult as it looks.

The New York Times - Books

This task is not as difficult as one might think.

The New York Times

It's not as difficult as you might think.

Independent

The door was slightly open, so leaving was not as difficult as during the Cold War.

The New York Times

The job is not as difficult as it might seem: his victims have very small brainpans.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not as difficult as", ensure that you are comparing two specific items or tasks to provide a clear contrast. For example, "Learning the basics of coding is not as difficult as mastering advanced algorithms".

Common error

Avoid using "not as difficult as" without a clear point of reference. Saying "This test is not as difficult as it seems" is more effective if you add to what specifically it is not as difficult as (e.g., "This test is not as difficult as it seems, provided you study the key concepts").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not as difficult as" functions as a comparative construction. It's used to express that one thing is less challenging or demanding than another. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase its widespread usage in various contexts, confirming its role in making comparisons.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

18%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not as difficult as" is a versatile comparative tool used to express that something is less challenging than something else. Grammatically correct and very common, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves to adjust expectations and provide reassurance across various contexts. While its register remains neutral, it appears most frequently in news and media, academia, and scientific writing. When employing this phrase, ensure a clear comparison to maximize its effectiveness. Alternatives like "less arduous than" or "easier than" can be used to adjust the tone as needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not quite as challenging as

Substitutes "difficult" with "challenging" and "as" with "quite as" which softens the comparison slightly.

less arduous than

Replaces "difficult" with "arduous", indicating a task requiring strenuous effort; the change is more formal.

not so taxing as

Employs "taxing" instead of "difficult" implying a strain on resources or energy.

easier than

A simpler, more direct way to state that something is less difficult.

not nearly as complicated as

Replaces "difficult" with "complicated", focusing on the complexity rather than the effort required.

presents less of a challenge than

Uses a more descriptive, extended phrasing to express reduced difficulty.

not as intricate as

Replaces "difficult" with "intricate," suggesting a lack of complex details or design.

simpler compared to

Provides a straightforward comparison using "simpler" instead of negating "difficult".

not quite as problematic as

Substitutes "difficult" with "problematic", focusing on potential issues or obstacles.

more manageable than

Indicates that something is easier to handle or control, rather than simply less difficult.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "not as difficult as" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "less arduous than" or "presents less of a challenge than".

Is it grammatically correct to say "not so difficult as" instead of "not as difficult as"?

Yes, "not so difficult as" is grammatically correct and carries the same meaning as "not as difficult as". Both are used to make comparisons.

What's the difference between "easier than" and "not as difficult as"?

"Easier than" is a more direct and straightforward way of saying something is less challenging. "Not as difficult as" is a slightly more nuanced way of making the same comparison, sometimes implying an initial expectation of difficulty.

Can you provide an example of using "not as difficult as" in a sentence?

Sure, here's an example: "While learning a new language can be intimidating, mastering basic conversational phrases is not as difficult as achieving fluency".