slightly less challenging

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly less challenging" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a task or situation that is not as difficult as another, indicating a minor reduction in challenge. Example: "This new project is slightly less challenging than the last one, making it easier for the team to manage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

" Then – a slightly less challenging question – she was asked what she had done during half-term.

The Guardian

My second year was slightly less challenging, with most of my time spent on 215 and CS243 (a statistical learning course).

University of California, Berkeley

Problems identified in a study published today include issues with the length of ride and the frequency of waves, which need to be "slightly less challenging" to attract journeyman surfers.

The Guardian

"But the ride is not as long as required; frequency of surfing waves is not as often as [those on] the beach; and the wave would be surfable by more people (ie intermediate as well as expert surfers) if it were slightly less challenging".

The Guardian

Each 'decision point' has several correct answers, and I found that this made the scenarios slightly less challenging than they might have been if only one correct response had been presented.

Critical Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

After the success last year of its complete survey of Schubert's songs, the Oxford Lieder festival sets itself a slightly less daunting challenge this time, turning its attention to Schumann's output.

The Guardian

However, the US presidential election presents a slightly less difficult challenge.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

It is only slightly less of a challenge for al-Qaeda fighters to spot a high-flying drone with the naked eye.

The Washington Post

It's a better way to work than power-playing, when people are slightly less talented and a lot more challenged".

The Guardian - Film

On foreign policy, President Barack Obama's ability to restore America's respect and standing overseas makes it slightly less difficult to deal with the challenges of Iran, North Korea, the Israeli-Palestinian issue, Afghanistan-Pakistan conflicts, and to establish a productive bilateral relationship with the emerging superpower China.

The New York Times

But it's worth asking: Could some of our biggest technological challenges be solved by making things slightly less simple?

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "slightly less challenging" with specific examples to clarify the extent of the reduction in difficulty.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly less challenging" when the difference in difficulty is substantial. Overstating the ease can mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly less challenging" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing the degree to which something presents a challenge. It's used to indicate a subtle reduction in difficulty, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly less challenging" is a useful phrase for describing a minor reduction in difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and examples from news, academic, and scientific sources demonstrate its versatility. While not extremely common, it offers a precise way to compare difficulty levels. Remember to use it when the difference is truly slight to avoid misleading your audience. Alternative phrases like "somewhat easier" or "a bit easier" can provide similar meanings in different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly less difficult

Directly replaces "challenging" with "difficult", maintaining a similar tone.

somewhat easier

Indicates a similar level of reduced difficulty, focusing on ease.

a bit easier

Uses simpler language to convey a similar meaning of reduced difficulty.

marginally simpler

Emphasizes a slight degree of simplification.

a little less demanding

Focuses on the reduction in effort or demands required.

somewhat less strenuous

Highlights a decrease in the physical or mental exertion needed.

a shade less complicated

Implies a minor reduction in complexity.

perceptibly easier

Suggests that the ease is noticeable or appreciable.

noticeably simpler

Highlights that the simplicity is easily observed.

relatively less taxing

Indicates a reduction in the burden or strain imposed.

FAQs

How can I use "slightly less challenging" in a sentence?

You can use "slightly less challenging" to compare the difficulty of two tasks or situations, indicating that one is marginally easier than the other. For example, "This level of the game is "slightly less challenging" than the previous one".

What are some alternatives to "slightly less challenging"?

Alternatives include "somewhat easier", "a bit easier", or "marginally simpler". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "slightly less challenging" in formal writing?

Yes, "slightly less challenging" is appropriate for formal writing, as it is grammatically correct and widely understood. However, ensure that your tone is consistent with the overall formality of the piece.

What's the difference between "slightly less challenging" and "much less challenging"?

"Slightly less challenging" indicates a minor reduction in difficulty, while "much less challenging" implies a more significant difference. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the degree of difference you want to convey.