quite tricky

USAGE SUMMARY

"quite tricky" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is more difficult than other things. For example, "Solving this math problem is quite tricky."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's quite tricky.

The New York Times - Sports

It's been quite tricky".

The New York Times - Sports

That's quite tricky".

The Guardian

"She's quite tricky," Black said.

The New York Times

They're quite tricky, aren't they?

The Guardian - Music

It's a quite tricky, protean word, "communities".

The Guardian

It's quite tricky to neutralise them".

The Guardian

I quite agree that it's quite tricky.

The Guardian - Books

The terminology is still quite tricky.

The Guardian - Books

English has grammar rules; sometimes they can be quite tricky.

The Economist

Shooting scenes with the pets, however, proved quite tricky.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quite tricky" when you want to express that something requires careful handling or a delicate approach, but isn't insurmountable. It suggests a moderate level of difficulty.

Common error

Avoid using "quite tricky" when the situation is genuinely easy or exceptionally difficult. It's most effective for tasks that require moderate effort and skill.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite tricky" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes the degree of difficulty or complexity associated with something. Ludwig AI validates this through numerous examples where it qualifies various scenarios, tasks, or concepts as being moderately difficult.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "quite tricky" is a frequently used adjectival phrase indicating a moderate level of difficulty or complexity. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and versatile, suitable for describing both physical and mental challenges. Its neutral register allows for broad application, although more formal contexts might benefit from more precise language. The phrase is common in news, media, science, and wiki sources, signaling its wide acceptance and usability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat challenging

Replaces "tricky" with "challenging" and "quite" with "somewhat", indicating a moderate level of difficulty.

moderately difficult

Substitutes "tricky" with "difficult" and uses "moderately" to express the degree of difficulty.

a bit complicated

Uses "complicated" instead of "tricky" and "a bit" instead of "quite", suggesting a slight increase in complexity.

rather complex

Replaces "tricky" with "complex" and uses "rather" instead of "quite" to indicate a similar level of sophistication.

slightly problematic

Uses "problematic" to replace "tricky", shifting the focus to potential issues.

reasonably intricate

Replaces "tricky" with "intricate" to emphasize the detailed nature of the challenge.

fairly involved

Emphasizes the level of engagement and steps required, replacing "tricky" with "involved".

somewhat convoluted

Suggests a winding or complex nature, changing "tricky" to "convoluted".

not straightforward

Directly negates simplicity, implying a degree of difficulty or indirectness.

not entirely simple

Emphasizes the lack of simplicity in a more nuanced way.

FAQs

How can I use "quite tricky" in a sentence?

You can use "quite tricky" to describe tasks, situations, or concepts that are moderately difficult or require careful handling. For instance, "Negotiating that contract was "quite tricky"".

What's a similar phrase to "quite tricky"?

Alternatives include "somewhat challenging", "moderately difficult", or "a bit complicated", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "quite tricky" formal or informal?

The phrase "quite tricky" leans towards a neutral register, suitable for both informal and semi-formal contexts. However, in very formal or academic writing, more precise language might be preferred.

Can "quite tricky" be used for both physical and mental tasks?

Yes, "quite tricky" can describe both physical tasks (e.g., "The climb was "quite tricky" because of the ice") and mental tasks (e.g., "Understanding quantum physics is "quite tricky"").