rather more difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather more difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is significantly more challenging than expected or compared to something else. Example: "The exam was rather more difficult than I had anticipated, leaving many students feeling unprepared."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

E8 is rather more difficult to visualise.

The Economist

Making those cells arrange themselves into something that resembles human flesh is, alas, rather more difficult.

The Economist

On the other hand, a defeat – or even a draw – would make things rather more difficult.

The Guardian - Sport

"But the moment you begin working life it becomes rather more difficult.

The Guardian - Money

From there on, Branson's work is rather more difficult to avoid.

The Guardian - Film

"And the economic environment will not in fact be easier but rather more difficult next year.

The Telegraph

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Although the real numbers are small, some experts worry that the new guidelines will encourage too much reliance on drug therapy rather than more difficult lifestyle changes.

The New York Times - Health

I'm no crusader, and I have to say that all my savings make my life more pleasant rather than more difficult – but perhaps that's how it should be.

The Guardian

But might this effect prove counterproductive to the larger goal of peace, to the extent that these machines also lower the political costs associated with declaring war, and so make engaging in war as a preferred or convenient method of conflict resolution easier rather than more difficult?

Stanford University

Focusing on simple targets can be counter-productive: for example, British police, told to improve their overall clear-up rates, have been criticised for devoting too much time to relatively minor offences such as speeding rather than more difficult crimes such as sexual assaults and gang-related killings.

The Economist

But follow-up legislation is usually limited to one-year appropriations bills rather than more difficult measure to deal with the government's long-term fiscal challenges, which are fueled by spiraling healthcare costs and the retirement of the baby boom generation.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather more difficult" to convey a nuanced sense of increased challenge, especially when comparing two scenarios or tasks. It subtly emphasizes a higher degree of difficulty without being overly dramatic.

Common error

While "rather more difficult" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in extremely informal settings. Simpler alternatives like "tougher" or "harder" may be more appropriate for casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather more difficult" functions as an adverbial modifier, intensifying the adjective 'difficult'. It is used to indicate that something is significantly more challenging than expected or compared to something else. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather more difficult" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize a significant increase in difficulty. Ludwig AI analysis shows that it is grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science, indicating a neutral to formal register. When writing, use "rather more difficult" to subtly convey an increased level of challenge, but be mindful of the context and consider simpler alternatives like "tougher" or "harder" for more informal settings. Ludwig confirms that understanding the nuances of this phrase will enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat more challenging

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging" and "rather more" with "somewhat", indicating a slightly less intense degree of difficulty.

significantly more complex

Substitutes "difficult" with "complex", shifting the focus to complexity rather than pure difficulty; "significantly" intensifies the degree.

appreciably more demanding

Uses "demanding" instead of "difficult", suggesting that the task requires more effort; "appreciably" indicates a noticeable difference.

noticeably harder

Employs the simpler term "harder", which may be suitable for less formal contexts; "noticeably" highlights the evident increase in difficulty.

moderately more problematic

Replaces "difficult" with "problematic", indicating issues or obstacles rather than just difficulty; "moderately" softens the intensity.

distinctly more intricate

Shifts the focus to the detailed and complicated nature of the task using "intricate"; "distinctly" emphasizes the clear difference in complexity.

markedly more strenuous

Uses "strenuous" to highlight the effort required, indicating that the task is physically or mentally taxing; "markedly" emphasizes the notable increase.

substantially more taxing

Replaces "difficult" with "taxing", indicating that the task is burdensome or draining; "substantially" intensifies the degree.

considerably trickier

Uses the more informal term "trickier", suggesting a need for cunning or careful handling; "considerably" emphasizes the significant increase in difficulty.

noticeably tougher

Employs the simple term "tougher", which may be suitable for less formal contexts; "noticeably" highlights the evident increase in difficulty.

FAQs

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

You can use "rather more difficult" to describe a task or situation that is noticeably more challenging than another. For example, "Solving this equation is "rather more difficult" than I anticipated."

What phrases are similar to "rather more difficult"?

Alternatives include "somewhat more challenging", "significantly more complex", or "appreciably more demanding". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "rather more difficult" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "rather more difficult" is suitable for formal writing. It conveys a degree of difficulty in a nuanced and professional manner. However, consider alternatives like "significantly more complex" for added emphasis in highly formal contexts.

What's the difference between "rather difficult" and "rather more difficult"?

"Rather difficult" indicates a general level of difficulty. "Rather more difficult" suggests a comparative increase in difficulty, implying that something is harder than something else or harder than expected.