not that easy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not that easy" is correct and can be used in written English.
Example: Writing an essay is not that easy, especially when you have a short deadline.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But surely it's not THAT easy?

BBC

Its not that easy.

HuffPost

"Readjustment's not that easy.

The New York Times

It's not that easy.

The New York Times - Sports

"Commercially, it's not that easy.

Independent

It is not that easy.

The New York Times

Okay, perhaps not that easy.

The Economist

"It's really not that easy.

The New York Times - Sports

Unfortunately, it's not that easy.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Wasn't that easy?

WikiHow

Wasn't that easier?

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not that easy" to politely downplay the simplicity of a task or situation without being discouraging.

Common error

Avoid using "not that easy" in highly formal or professional writing. While acceptable in many contexts, consider more precise language like 'considerably challenging' or 'substantially complex' for increased formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not that easy" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a quality of it—specifically, its level of difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

6%

Academia

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not that easy" functions as a common adjectival phrase used to convey that something is more difficult than it initially appears. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and enjoys widespread usage across diverse sources. Its register is primarily neutral, although it may lean towards informal in strictly formal settings. When precision is paramount, consider alternatives like "more challenging than it seems" or "deceptively difficult". It's best used to temper expectations subtly. It's a very common expression, according to Ludwig's analysis of numerous real-world examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harder than you think

Directly points out that the perceived difficulty is underestimated.

not necessarily easy

Underscores the potential for difficulty, even if it's not immediately apparent.

more challenging than it seems

Emphasizes the difficulty as a challenge, rather than a simple lack of ease.

it's deceptively difficult

Focuses on the deceptive nature of the difficulty.

more complicated than expected

Highlights the unexpected complexity of something.

not as simple as it seems

Similar to 'not as straightforward as it looks', stressing the deceptive simplicity.

not as straightforward as it looks

Focuses on the deceptive simplicity of a task or situation.

not a piece of cake

Emphasizes the lack of ease using a different idiom.

not a walk in the park

Uses an idiom to suggest a difficult or unpleasant experience.

requires more effort than you'd imagine

Points to the higher-than-expected amount of effort needed.

FAQs

How can I use "not that easy" in a sentence?

You can use "not that easy" to express that something is more difficult than it appears. For example: 'Learning a new language is "not that easy"' or 'Getting promoted at this company is "not that easy"'.

What are some alternatives to "not that easy"?

Alternatives include "more challenging than it seems", "harder than you think", or "not as straightforward as it looks". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "not that easy" formal or informal?

"Not that easy" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. It is acceptable in most conversations and writing, but in very formal contexts, you might choose a more elevated phrase.

What's the difference between "not that easy" and "not easy"?

"Not that easy" implies a comparison to an assumed level of ease, suggesting it's more difficult than expected. "Not easy" is a simpler statement that something is difficult in general, without the implication of comparison.