rather difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
You may use it to describe something or someone that is not impossibly difficult, but still quite challenging or hard. For example: "This math problem is rather difficult, but with enough practice I'm confident that I can solve it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They're finding it rather difficult.

The New York Times

I find that rather difficult to take".

Independent

"Rather difficult to think about anything else".

Independent

It's rather difficult to define.

The Guardian

This was unexpected and rather difficult.

The New York Times - Books

Only that will be rather difficult.

The Guardian - Sport

However, the latter measurement is rather difficult to make experimentally.

Polymer

It is rather difficult to communicate with health providers today.

Stanford University

Access is rather difficult, so most tourists don't bother.

The Guardian - Travel

It affects everything, and makes my life rather difficult.

The Guardian - Opinion

All other fundamental particles are rather difficult in comparison.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather difficult" to express a moderate level of challenge, implying that while something is not easy, it is still manageable with effort. For example, "The experiment proved to be "rather difficult", but the results were ultimately rewarding".

Common error

Avoid using "rather difficult" when the subject is exceptionally challenging or nearly impossible. Instead, opt for stronger terms like "extremely difficult" or "insurmountable" to more accurately reflect the level of challenge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather difficult" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe its level of challenge or complexity. It is used to express that something is not easy, but also not impossibly hard, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather difficult" is a common and grammatically sound adjective phrase used to describe something that presents a moderate level of challenge. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate when the subject isn't easy but still manageable. It appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts, signaling a neutral to professional register. When aiming for alternatives, consider "somewhat challenging" or "quite complex" to nuance the expression. Remember to avoid using it when the situation is truly impossible or exceptionally simple.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat challenging

Changes "rather difficult" to "somewhat challenging", softening the intensity of the difficulty.

quite complex

Replaces "difficult" with "complex", emphasizing the intricate nature of the subject rather than the difficulty in handling it.

moderately problematic

Substitutes "difficult" with "problematic", highlighting the issues or obstacles involved.

fairly demanding

Emphasizes the effort required, rather than the inherent difficulty.

reasonably complicated

Similar to "quite complex", focuses on the intricacy and involved nature.

a bit tricky

Uses a more informal tone to express difficulty.

not entirely straightforward

Highlights the lack of simplicity and directness.

posing some challenges

Focuses on the act of presenting difficulties rather than the state of being difficult.

presenting obstacles

Highlights the impeding nature of the subject.

requires careful consideration

Shifts the focus to the thoughtfulness needed rather than direct difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "rather difficult" in a sentence?

You can use "rather difficult" to describe tasks, concepts, or situations that are challenging but not impossible. For example, "Understanding quantum physics can be "somewhat challenging", but it's not insurmountable".

What are some alternatives to using "rather difficult"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "quite complex", "moderately problematic", or "fairly demanding" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "rather difficult" more or less intense than "very difficult"?

"Rather difficult" indicates a moderate level of difficulty, whereas "very difficult" implies a higher degree of challenge. Therefore, "rather difficult" is less intense than "very difficult".

When is it appropriate to use "rather difficult" in writing?

Use "rather difficult" when you want to convey that something is challenging but manageable with effort. It's suitable for scenarios where the task isn't straightforward but also isn't overwhelmingly hard. Avoid it if the task is truly impossible or exceedingly simple.