rather difficult to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather difficult to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task or situation that is somewhat challenging or hard to accomplish. Example: "The exam was rather difficult to complete within the given time limit."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

I find that rather difficult to take".

Independent

"Rather difficult to think about anything else".

Independent

It's rather difficult to define.

The Guardian

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

Polymer

It is rather difficult to communicate with health providers today.

Stanford University

"These signals, after all, are rather difficult to find.

The New York Times

"It was rather difficult to start with," he says.

The Guardian - Books

Unfortunately, neutrinos' immutability also makes them rather difficult to detect.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

It is rather difficult to design a moderately basic but unprotonated group under physiological conditions.

Chemistry Central Journal

As a consequence, it is rather difficult to understand, assess, and compare the existing approaches.

Journal of Systems and Software

"I thought afterwards, that collaborative travel planning was something that was rather difficult to do".

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rather difficult to", consider your audience and the context. While widely accepted, "rather" can sound slightly formal or understated. Choose synonyms like "somewhat" or "quite" if a different tone is desired.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the difficulty by pairing "rather difficult to" with overly dramatic language. This can undermine your credibility. Be precise and honest about the degree of challenge involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather difficult to" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an infinitive verb. It describes the degree of difficulty associated with performing the action specified by the infinitive. Ludwig examples show it used to qualify various actions, indicating a moderate level of challenge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rather difficult to" is a grammatically sound and versatile way to express a moderate level of difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. It is commonly used across various contexts, including science, news, and academia. While generally neutral in register, be mindful of the slightly formal tone "rather" can convey. Alternatives like "somewhat challenging to" or "quite hard to" may be more appropriate depending on your intended audience and the overall tone of your writing. Avoid overstating the difficulty for clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat challenging to

Indicates a moderate level of difficulty, similar to the original phrase but with a slightly different emphasis.

quite hard to

Suggests a level of difficulty that is considerable, though not insurmountable.

not easy to

A straightforward way of expressing difficulty, suitable for general use.

relatively complex to

Emphasizes the complexity involved, rather than just the difficulty.

moderately problematic to

Highlights potential issues or obstacles involved in the task.

a bit tricky to

Implies a need for careful handling or cleverness to overcome the difficulty.

not a piece of cake to

An idiomatic expression indicating that something requires effort and is not simple.

presents some difficulty in

Focuses on the difficulty as a quality or characteristic of the task itself.

poses a certain challenge to

Frames the difficulty as a challenge that needs to be addressed.

requires considerable effort to

Highlights the amount of work needed to accomplish the task.

FAQs

What does "rather difficult to" mean?

The phrase "rather difficult to" indicates that something is moderately challenging but not impossible. It suggests a level of difficulty that requires effort and attention.

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

You can use "rather difficult to" to describe tasks, concepts, or situations. For example: "The problem was "rather difficult to solve"", or "Explaining the theory is "rather difficult to summarize"".

What are some alternatives to "rather difficult to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "somewhat challenging to", "quite hard to", or "not easy to". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is it correct to say "rather difficult to"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. The phrase is appropriate in many contexts, although it might be considered slightly formal.