not very difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not very difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task or situation that is relatively easy or manageable. Example: "The exam was not very difficult, and I felt confident about my answers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's not very difficult".

The New York Times - Arts

It's not very difficult to make.

The New York Times

"Correcting the problem is not very difficult.

The New York Times

"It's not very difficult to construct".

The New York Times

"It is not very difficult to learn.

The New York Times - Health

It turned out that it is not very difficult.

The New York Times

He explained: "It's not very difficult doing voiceovers - they're easy.

Independent

There are skills in it but it's not very difficult".

The Guardian

The end game is not very difficult to see.

The Guardian - Opinion

This method is not very difficult i will try to this.

Harvard University

Not very difficult to maintain and the patient can walk around with it.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clear communication, use "not very difficult" to accurately convey the level of effort required for a task. For example, "Installing the software is not very difficult if you follow the instructions carefully."

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the simplicity of a task by using "not very difficult" when it still requires a moderate amount of skill or effort. It's better to accurately represent the challenge to avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not very difficult" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, describing the relative ease of a task or concept. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples where the phrase qualifies an action or situation, indicating it is manageable without being completely effortless.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not very difficult" is a versatile and commonly used adjective phrase that describes something as relatively easy or manageable. As confirmed by Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct, and it's frequently used across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While it may be suitable for most situations, more precise language is preferred for professional or formal writing. Alternatives like "relatively easy" or "fairly simple" can offer a more nuanced tone. Remember to accurately portray the level of challenge to avoid misleading your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relatively easy

Emphasizes ease in comparison to other possibilities.

fairly simple

Highlights simplicity as the defining characteristic.

quite straightforward

Focuses on the directness and lack of complications.

not overly challenging

Underscores that the task does not present significant challenges.

moderately easy

Indicates a balanced level of easiness.

reasonably simple

Suggests simplicity within acceptable limits.

somewhat undemanding

Implies a lack of rigorous requirements or effort.

not particularly hard

Emphasizes a lack of hardship or strenuous effort.

manageable

Highlights the capacity to handle or control the task or situation.

within reach

Suggests that the goal or task is attainable without excessive difficulty.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "not very difficult" to sound more professional?

In a professional setting, you might prefer alternatives such as "relatively easy", "fairly simple", or "quite straightforward" to maintain a formal tone.

Is it always appropriate to use "not very difficult" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "not very difficult" may sometimes sound too informal for academic writing. Consider more precise and nuanced language depending on the specific context and the expectations of your audience.

What are some common synonyms for "not very difficult"?

Common synonyms include "not overly challenging", "moderately easy", or "reasonably simple". The best choice depends on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey.

How does "not very difficult" compare to "easy"?

"Not very difficult" implies a task requires some effort but is manageable, whereas "easy" suggests minimal effort. Choosing between them depends on the subtle nuance you want to convey about the task's demands.