of similar difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of similar difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when comparing the level of challenge or complexity of two or more tasks, problems, or situations. Example: "The math problems assigned today are of similar difficulty to those we tackled last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Unlike other periods in the past of similar difficulty, it looks as if Israelis no longer have any hope.

The Guardian

For example, "The Red Badge of Courage" and "The Call of the Wild" are novels of similar difficulty but appeal to different students.

The New York Times

For an international test to work, all students have to answer the same questions, or at least questions of similar difficulty.

The Guardian - Opinion

The higher point-measure correlation criterion was considered when two or more items were of similar difficulty levels and they measured the same level of comprehension.

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

When two or more items were of similar difficulty levels and they measured the same comprehension level, the item with a higher point-measure correlation was retained.

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

When two or more items were of similar difficulty levels and they measured the same level of comprehension, the item with a higher point-measure correlation was retained.

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

At least he has had experience of similar difficulties before, when he merged an Italian commercial bank and a savings-bank group in 1998 to create UniCredit.

The Economist

Indeed, Bush's sound bite where he refers to the issue of overarching purpose as "the vision thing" has become a metonym applied to other political figures accused of similar difficulties.

Wikipedia

This failure is not surprising given reports of similar difficulties with estimating the parameters for this model [ 9, 15].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

By F. J. Crehan and Russell Maloney The New Yorker, March 22 , 1941P. 9 Our recent item about the verbal barrier in the way of an amalgamation of Poor's Publishing Company with Standard Stastics has reminded one of our readers of a similar difficulty encountered by a man who does research in the field of aeronautical engineering.

The New Yorker

I sit in roomfuls of parents exposed to similar difficulties.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the difficulty of tasks, ensure you clearly define what aspects of the tasks contribute to their perceived difficulty. For example, specify if it's the complexity, time requirement, or required skill set that makes them "of similar difficulty".

Common error

Avoid assuming that "of similar difficulty" implies identical difficulty. The phrase suggests a close resemblance in the level of challenge, but not necessarily a perfect match. Acknowledge potential minor differences to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of similar difficulty" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, indicating a comparable level of challenge or complexity. Ludwig confirms the correct usage, showing it's commonly employed to relate items in terms of how difficult they are.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

28%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "of similar difficulty" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase for comparing the challenge level of tasks or problems. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it is commonly employed in scientific, news, and wiki contexts. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase effectively conveys a comparison of difficulty, but it's essential to remember that "similar" does not mean "identical". Alternatives such as "of equivalent difficulty" or "of comparable difficulty" can be used to refine the nuance of the comparison.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of equivalent difficulty

This alternative uses "equivalent" instead of "similar", indicating an equal level of difficulty.

of comparable difficulty

Replaces "similar" with "comparable", suggesting that the difficulties can be compared and found to be roughly equal.

of equal difficulty

This phrase uses "equal" to emphasize that the difficulty levels are the same.

similarly challenging

This is a more concise adjective phrase, focusing on the challenging nature of the items being compared.

presenting similar challenges

This alternative highlights the act of presenting challenges that are alike in nature.

of a like degree of difficulty

Uses "like degree" to specify that the measure of difficulty is similar.

on par in difficulty

This idiomatic expression means that the difficulties are at the same level or standard.

with a comparable level of complexity

Shifts the focus to "complexity" instead of "difficulty", implying a similarity in how intricate or involved something is.

of a similar level of complexity

Similar to above, but retains "similar" for a more direct comparison.

posing similar obstacles

Emphasizes the obstacles that arise from the difficulty, rather than the difficulty itself.

FAQs

How can I use "of similar difficulty" in a sentence?

You can use "of similar difficulty" to compare the challenge level between two or more tasks or problems. For instance, "These two exams are "of similar difficulty", so you should prepare for them equally".

What is a synonym for "of similar difficulty"?

Alternatives to "of similar difficulty" include "of equivalent difficulty", "of comparable difficulty", or "of equal difficulty". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "of similar difficulty" or "with similar difficulty"?

"Of similar difficulty" is generally preferred and more grammatically correct. "With similar difficulty" is less common and can sound awkward. "Of similar difficulty" directly modifies the subject being discussed, making the comparison clearer.

What does "of similar difficulty" imply about two tasks?

When two tasks are described as "of similar difficulty", it suggests they require a roughly equal amount of effort, skill, or resources to complete successfully. It doesn't mean they are identical, just that their levels of challenge are comparable.