slightly difficult to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly difficult to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a task or situation that presents a minor level of challenge or complexity. Example: "The instructions were slightly difficult to follow, but I managed to complete the task."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Thus I have always found the state slightly difficult to relate to.

Independent

It's slightly difficult to understand at first, but there are a few tricks that can help flatten the learning curve.

The New York Times - Tech

Bonafide is a third-floor club, slightly difficult to find from the street, but once inside, it's an intimate haven.

The Guardian - Music

Due to different vendors and the diversified philosophies behind different software tools, it may be slightly difficult to cope with the ripple effect across them.

Information Sciences

I may hear the thump of that through a thin carpet on a wooden floor … But I'm mainly having a problem with into his – it is slightly difficult to say and therefore to think – it is gluey and unmelodious, somehow.

The Guardian - Books

The stream of consciousness makes Part 1 of the story slightly difficult to read but at the same time it makes it seem exactly like a child/teen was writing it.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The Rhine Rift Valley continues northward through Hessen, with a series of discontinuous basins filled with sediments from the Paleogene and Neogene periods (i.e., about 65 to 2.6 million years ago) that allow a slightly difficult traverse to the North German Plain.

Britannica

It's a slightly difficult comparison to make, but fortunately a paper from the House of Commons Library from 2013 did it for us.

BBC

Measuring the improvement in health outcomes in high-focus districts is slightly difficult due to the lack of district-wise data during the above periods.

Global Health Action

Slightly more difficult to persuade was Lori's father.

The New York Times - Health

Next, for me, was Microsoft, which I found slightly more difficult to quit.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly difficult to" when you want to convey a mild challenge or a task that requires a bit more effort than usual. It's a good choice when you don't want to overstate the level of difficulty.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly difficult to" when the task is actually quite challenging or complex. Using it in such situations can undermine your credibility and make your assessment seem inaccurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly difficult to" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an infinitive. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, describing a minor challenge or complexity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slightly difficult to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe something that presents a minor challenge. Ludwig confirms it's a reliable way to communicate a task or situation's moderate complexity. While it's suitable for both formal and informal settings, it's essential to ensure the level of difficulty is accurately represented and not overstated. Consider alternatives like "somewhat challenging to" or "a bit hard to" to fine-tune the message and prevent misunderstandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat challenging to

Replaces 'slightly difficult' with 'somewhat challenging', emphasizing the presence of a challenge.

a bit hard to

Uses more informal language, replacing 'slightly difficult' with 'a bit hard', making it less formal.

not entirely easy to

Expresses difficulty indirectly, indicating it's not simple without being overly negative.

moderately problematic to

Emphasizes the problem aspect of the difficulty, using more formal vocabulary.

not straightforward to

Suggests that the task isn't simple or direct, implying a level of difficulty.

poses a minor challenge to

Rephrases difficulty as a 'minor challenge', focusing on the challenge aspect.

presents a slight obstacle to

Substitutes difficulty with 'slight obstacle', highlighting the obstruction aspect.

takes a bit of doing to

An informal expression suggesting that some effort and time are necessary.

calls for some effort to

Focuses on the effort needed rather than the difficulty itself.

requires a little extra work to

Highlights the need for additional work to overcome the difficulty.

FAQs

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

You can use "slightly difficult to" to describe tasks, concepts, or situations that present a minor level of challenge. For example, "The instructions were slightly difficult to follow" or "The concept is slightly difficult to grasp at first".

What are some alternatives to "slightly difficult to"?

Alternatives include "somewhat challenging to", "a bit hard to", or "moderately problematic to". The best choice depends on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "slightly difficult to" or "a little difficult to"?

Both "slightly difficult to" and "a little difficult to" are acceptable and convey a similar meaning. "Slightly difficult to" might be perceived as slightly more formal, while "a little difficult to" is more conversational.

Can "slightly difficult to" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "slightly difficult to" is appropriate for formal writing, as it is a grammatically correct and relatively neutral expression. However, consider whether a more precise or sophisticated alternative might be more suitable depending on the specific context and audience.