once more difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "once more difficult" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an attempt to convey the idea of something being difficult again, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "The task was once more difficult than I had anticipated."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"Better to keep US sanctions in place, strengthen them, enforce secondary sanctions on other nations, and pursue the hard-trodden path of diplomacy once more, difficult as it may be".

The Guardian

Joani has made sure her brothers have set aside tickets for her family, but other than a few interviews, the run-up to the Super Bowl for her has been mostly about the Indiana basketball games that are at once more difficult for her to watch, but much easier for the rest of her family to determine their rooting interest.

The New York Times - Sports

This was a far from straightforward list to put together, and I am grateful to my editor Kimberly Brooks for asking me for a decade's worth of "art events" -- rather than anything more precise -- which made my task at once more difficult and more thought-provoking.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

A prosey rumination on his first, failed marriage is drawn from deep feeling, and illustrates, in an original way, how emotional pain begins to affect the mental state: "if I set out / Once more on difficult paths of thought I know / Before my next step or my next suddenly / That awful abyss will open".

The Guardian - Books

"The more things you run at once, the more difficult it is".

Huffington Post

"That realisation meant that I once more faced a difficult decision.

The Guardian

Its task now is at once simple and more difficult than it sounds: beat Southern California on the road Saturday and play for the national championship in January.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Jernmark's take is at once more modest and difficult, the taste of a Sweden proud of its traditions, its larder and the bounty of its sea, fields and lakes.

The New York Times

However, causal closure once more makes it difficult to make good sense of this suggestion.

SEP

First, "many more people enrolling in these STEM majors all at once made learning more difficult [resulting in] the students acquiring … a lower amount of skills," Bianchi tells Science Careers in an interview.

Science Magazine

Tasks have once again become more difficult to do.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to convey that a task or situation has become difficult again, opt for clearer and more grammatically accepted alternatives such as "again challenging" or "more challenging once again".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "once more difficult" in formal writing. While understandable, it is not standard English and can sound awkward or unclear. Consider rephrasing for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once more difficult" functions as a descriptor, aiming to modify a noun by indicating a renewed or repeated state of difficulty. Ludwig AI explains that this is not considered correct English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "once more difficult" attempts to convey a sense of renewed challenge, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI flags it as an improper expression. Its usage is rare, primarily appearing in news, scientific, and wiki contexts. For clearer and more accepted alternatives, consider using phrases like "again challenging" or "more challenging once again".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more challenging once again

Adds emphasis to the return of the challenging nature of something.

again challenging

A more direct and grammatically sound way to express that something is difficult again.

increasingly challenging

Focuses on the progressive nature of the difficulty, implying a gradual increase in challenge.

more arduous anew

Replaces "difficult" with "arduous" and "once more" with "anew", creating a more formal tone.

difficult circumstances reappear

Highlights the recurring or reappearing nature of the difficult circumstances.

newly problematic

Shifts the focus to the problematic nature of something, implying a recent emergence of difficulties.

more complex this time

Replaces "difficult" with "complex", highlighting the intricate nature of the challenge.

an additional layer of difficulty

Highlights the complexity of the problem.

new difficult phase

Indicates that the situation has turned into a new difficult time.

another difficult chapter

Metaphorically describes the situation as a recurring difficult event.

FAQs

What is a better way to phrase "once more difficult"?

More natural alternatives include "again challenging", "more challenging once again", or simply "increasingly challenging", depending on the specific context.

Is "once more difficult" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "once more difficult" is not considered grammatically correct in standard written English. It's better to use clearer and more common phrasing.

How can I use "again challenging" instead of "once more difficult"?

Use "again challenging" when you want to emphasize that something that was already difficult is now difficult anew. For instance, "The task, already complex, became again challenging after the new regulations were introduced."

What's the difference between "once more difficult" and "more challenging once again"?

"Once more difficult" is an awkward phrasing, while "more challenging once again" is grammatically correct and emphasizes the recurring nature of the challenge. "More challenging once again" is generally preferred in formal writing.