reasonably difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reasonably difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a task or challenge that is moderately challenging but not overly so. Example: "The exam was reasonably difficult, requiring a good understanding of the material but not impossible to pass."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The in situ synthesis of SiC particles in Al melt is reasonably difficult since carbon has quite poor wettability and extremely tiny solubility in the melt.

Journal of Alloys and Compounds

The judgment of circle size was reasonably difficult.

Cerebral Cortex

Identifying explicit phylogeographical patterns and the factors underpinning genetic structure are reasonably difficult, particularly for those species inhabiting historic and dynamic regions, such as coastal sand dunes.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

A direct comparison to the Trauma Registry is reasonably difficult due to differing inclusion and exclusion criteria in these two registries.

Critical Care

They report that this heuristic delivers much-improved accuracy in finding the global optimum, at no cost in speed, in two reasonably difficult optimisation scenarios, and describe bounds on the mutation function.

F1000Research

This game has the potential to be reasonably difficult, especially on HHM.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Aided by relatively strong personal favorability ratings and what would probably be favorable press coverage coming out of the budget negotiations, Mr. Obama would position himself as the "adult in the room" and suggest that he had done reasonably well under difficult circumstances.

The New York Times

Dental fear has long-term implications because it is both reasonably stable and difficult to assuage [ 2].

BMC Oral Health

The financial settlement, Judge Rakoff said, was "not only fair and reasonable but as good an outcome as anyone could reasonably expect in these difficult circumstances".

The New York Times

Trams and bus lines make getting around the city easy; taxis are reasonably affordable, if sometimes difficult to track down.

The New York Times - Travel

Boeing's chief executive, W. James McNerney Jr., told analysts that the rest of its commercial airplane business and its military division were holding up reasonably well in a difficult market.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a task or assessment, use "reasonably difficult" to convey that it requires effort and understanding, but is achievable with preparation. For instance, "The exam was reasonably difficult, so adequate study time is recommended."

Common error

Avoid using "reasonably difficult" when the situation is clearly extremely challenging or simple. Saying "The ascent of Everest was reasonably difficult" is misleading. Instead, opt for phrases that accurately reflect the magnitude of the challenge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reasonably difficult" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun. It describes the degree of difficulty as being moderate. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Examples show its use across various contexts to express a balanced assessment of challenge.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reasonably difficult" is a grammatically correct and usable adjectival phrase that describes a moderate level of challenge. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's appropriate for various contexts, including scientific, news, and general writing. It's neither overly formal nor informal, making it suitable for diverse audiences. While "reasonably difficult" is not an extremely common phrase, it offers a balanced way to convey that something requires effort but is achievable. Related phrases include "pretty difficult" and "moderately challenging". When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the actual degree of difficulty to avoid misleading your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Realistically difficult

Emphasizes that the difficulty is based on practical considerations or real-world conditions.

Pretty difficult

A more informal and direct way of saying "reasonably difficult", suitable for casual contexts.

Quite difficult

Similar to "pretty difficult" but slightly more formal.

Appropriately difficult

Suggests that the level of difficulty is suitable or fitting for a particular purpose or situation.

Rather difficult

Another slightly more formal alternative, indicating a notable degree of difficulty.

Legitimately difficult

Highlights that the difficulty is genuine and justifiable.

Moderately difficult

Uses a more formal and precise term to describe the level of difficulty.

Comparatively difficult

Indicates that the difficulty is being assessed in relation to something else.

Sufficiently difficult

Implies that the level of difficulty is adequate or enough for a specific purpose.

Relatively difficult

Suggests the difficulty is notable when compared to a similar situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "reasonably difficult" to describe tasks, problems, or concepts that are moderately challenging but not overwhelmingly so. For example, "The puzzle was "reasonably difficult", requiring some thought but not expert-level knowledge".

What are some alternatives to "reasonably difficult"?

Alternatives include "pretty difficult", "quite difficult", or "moderately challenging". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "reasonably difficult" or "very difficult"?

"Reasonably difficult" implies a moderate level of challenge, while "very difficult" suggests a high level of challenge. Choose the phrase that best matches the actual level of difficulty you want to convey.

What's the difference between "reasonably difficult" and "slightly difficult"?

"Slightly difficult" indicates a minor challenge, whereas "reasonably difficult" suggests a more significant, though manageable, level of difficulty. Consider the degree of effort required when selecting the appropriate phrase.