slightly more challenging

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly more challenging" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a task or situation that is a bit more difficult than another. Example: "This math problem is slightly more challenging than the previous one, requiring a deeper understanding of the concepts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Local climate variation and multiple frost events have made an accurate assessment slightly more challenging.

Cornell University

Making a gluten-free dessert that is also kosher, meaning it doesn't contain either gluten or dairy, is slightly more challenging.

The New York Times

Making a gluten-free dessert that is also kosher, meaning it doesn't contain either gluten or dairy (if you're eating meat), is slightly more challenging.

The New York Times

Also in our sample, where acceptance of evolution does not seem an issue, comprehension of the underlying mechanisms of natural selection is slightly more challenging.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

These classes involve constant movement between poses, making them slightly more challenging.

WikiHow

I personally found the two other MRL collections to be slightly more challenging than the Moore and Kraemer Papers.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Stage bike races such as South Africa's 800km Cape Epic or the 3,000-mile 3,000-mileng road AcyclingmeRace offer slightly more chAcrosse for your buck.

The Guardian - Travel

Take on the gentle 14km jaunt to Waikino or the ever-so-slightly more challenging trip to Waihi.

The Guardian - Travel

Jones played the slightly more intellectually challenged of the pair, while Smith's anger and frustration typically mounted to explosive levels during their regular exchanges on their BBC1 show Alas Smith and Jones, (its title a pun on the name of the American western series Alias Smith and Jones), a comedy fixture in the 1980s.

The Guardian

Braking proved more challenging.

The New York Times - Sports

Make it more challenging.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly more challenging" to subtly indicate an increase in difficulty without exaggerating the complexity of a task or situation. It is perfect for comparing two similar scenarios where one presents a minor increase in difficulty.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly more challenging" when the task is, in reality, significantly harder. This can mislead your audience and undermine your credibility. Choose a phrase that accurately reflects the level of difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly more challenging" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by indicating that something possesses a quality to a greater degree than something else. Ludwig AI examples show this in contexts ranging from yoga classes to academic comprehension.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Academia

20%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

34%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slightly more challenging" is a versatile and frequently used comparative adjective phrase, indicating a modest increase in difficulty. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s grammatically sound and suitable for various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Academia, Wiki and Science. When using this phrase, ensure that the increased difficulty is accurately represented, avoiding exaggeration or understatement. Alternatives such as "somewhat more difficult" or "a bit more demanding" can be considered for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat more difficult

Replaces "slightly" with "somewhat", indicating a similar but potentially marginally higher degree of difficulty.

a bit more demanding

Uses "demanding" instead of "challenging", focusing on the effort required.

moderately more taxing

Substitutes "challenging" with "taxing", highlighting the burden or strain involved.

a touch more complex

Shifts the focus to complexity rather than pure difficulty.

marginally more intricate

Emphasizes the detailed and elaborate nature of the challenge.

a shade more onerous

Implies that the task is burdensome or oppressive to a small degree.

ever-so-slightly trickier

Uses trickier to suggests a subtle deception or craftiness is involved.

a notch more rigorous

Highlights that the task may require higher standards and thoroughness.

fractionally more problematic

Suggests increased issues or troubles.

a little more testing

Focuses on the evaluation or trial of one's abilities.

FAQs

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

You can use "slightly more challenging" to compare two tasks or situations, indicating that one is a bit harder than the other. For instance, "The advanced course is "slightly more challenging" than the beginner's course."

What's a good alternative to "slightly more challenging"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "somewhat more difficult", "a bit more demanding", or "moderately more taxing".

Is it okay to use "slightly more challenging" in formal writing?

Yes, "slightly more challenging" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a neutral and clear way to describe a moderate increase in difficulty.

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

"Slightly more challenging" indicates a small increase in difficulty, whereas "much more challenging" suggests a significant difference. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the actual level of difficulty.