seems difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

'seems difficult' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that a situation or task appears challenging. For example, "The math homework assignment seems difficult."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This seems difficult.

Independent

Every step seems difficult.

The New York Times

Expansion into crowded Asian markets seems difficult.

The Economist

That's why his architecture seems difficult to many people.

The New York Times - Arts

On its face, this scenario seems difficult to refute.

The Guardian

It seems difficult to reconcile this with her being six.

The Guardian - Opinion

Secondly, it seems difficult to inoculate feminism against paranoia.

The Guardian - Opinion

It seems difficult to reconcile that this should be so.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, it seems difficult to prove this claim in a general context.

Discrete Mathematics

However, it seems difficult to establish relationships between energy consumption and Behavioural Patterns and household groups.

Energy and Buildings

With the current fabrication technologies, this requirement seems difficult to achieve.

Journal of Chromatography A

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process as "seems difficult", specify which part seems challenging to enhance clarity and provide more context for your assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "seems difficult" when the difficulty is already known and confirmed. Opt for stronger phrases like "is extremely difficult" or "presents insurmountable challenges" when the difficulty is certain.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seems difficult" functions as an evaluative expression. It conveys a subjective assessment that something appears challenging or hard to do. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, supported by numerous examples showing its application in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seems difficult" is a versatile expression used to convey an initial impression of something being challenging. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, including science, news, and general discourse. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, it's essential to use it appropriately, avoiding overstatement and considering alternative phrases when a stronger or more precise expression is needed. Given its neutral tone, "seems difficult" can be used in both formal and informal settings, offering a balanced way to express perceived challenges without definitive judgment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears challenging

Uses a different adjective to describe the apparent difficulty.

doesn't seem easy

A more direct but less formal way of saying something is difficult.

is not straightforward

Emphasizes the lack of simplicity, implying difficulty.

presents challenges

Focuses on the existence of challenges rather than the apparent difficulty.

is fraught with challenges

Highlights that the situation will be full of difficult obstacles

could be complicated

Highlights the potential complexity of the situation.

poses obstacles

Highlights the obstacles involved, implying difficulty.

might be demanding

Emphasizes the effort required, implying difficulty.

may prove troublesome

Suggests potential future difficulties.

is a tall order

Idiomatic expression implying a difficult task.

FAQs

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

You can use "seems difficult" to express that something appears challenging or not easy to accomplish. For example, "The new software update "seems difficult" to navigate at first, but with practice it becomes easier."

What can I say instead of "seems difficult"?

You can use alternatives like "appears challenging", "presents challenges", or "is not straightforward" depending on the context.

Is "seems difficult" formal or informal?

"Seems difficult" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for highly formal writing, consider using more sophisticated alternatives.

What's the difference between "seems difficult" and "is difficult"?

"Seems difficult" suggests a preliminary assessment based on initial impressions, while "is difficult" implies a more definitive judgment based on experience or evidence. "Seems difficult" implies less certainty than "is difficult."