sometimes more difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sometimes more difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe situations or tasks that are occasionally harder than usual. Example: "Learning a new language can be enjoyable, but it is sometimes more difficult than expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

The Second Concerto, he added, is "sometimes more difficult".

The New York Times - Arts

This is sometimes more difficult than you might think.

The Guardian

Virtue is sometimes more difficult to forgive than vice.

The Guardian - Books

Is it sometimes more difficult to get a first job out of college with a liberal arts rather than a professional undergraduate degree?

The New York Times

Daniel Moquay, who oversees the Klein archive and estate in Paris, said the silence is sometimes more difficult than the sound for audiences to take in.

The New York Times - Arts

"It is sometimes more difficult to prove its existence, but there is an extensive written record: fifty-two e-mails between us and Mark.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Keeping them has sometimes been more difficult.

The New York Times

(The subsequent task of trying to establish whether the author was British or not was sometimes rather more difficult).

The Guardian - Books

There is sometimes a more difficult stretch in the course.

Huffington Post

Unfortunately, what sometimes proves more difficult is building up savings for unexpected costs and retirement purposes.

Huffington Post

While preseason analyses can be easier to digest thanks to large sample sizes from seasons past, sometimes the more difficult road is necessary.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sometimes more difficult", ensure the context clarifies what the difficulty is being compared to. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "sometimes more difficult" without indicating what the subject is more difficult than. Always provide a clear reference point to ensure your statement is meaningful. For example, avoid saying "Life is sometimes more difficult" instead say "Life is sometimes more difficult than we expect".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sometimes more difficult" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something is occasionally harder or more challenging than something else. Ludwig AI validates this by providing numerous examples across various domains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sometimes more difficult" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is occasionally harder or more challenging. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides ample examples from diverse sources, including news media, scientific publications, and general-interest websites. While its register is generally neutral, ensuring a clear point of comparison enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity. Alternative phrases like "occasionally more challenging" or "at times more complex" can add subtle differences in meaning. Remember, as this analysis shows, the key to effective writing involves not only grammatical correctness but also context and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occasionally more challenging

Emphasizes the intermittent nature of the challenge rather than just the difficulty.

periodically harder

Highlights the cyclical or recurring aspect of the increased difficulty.

at times more complex

Focuses on the increased complexity rather than just the difficulty.

sporadically tougher

Indicates that the difficulty appears irregularly or infrequently.

intermittently demanding

Stresses the on-and-off nature of the demands or challenges.

now and then more arduous

Uses stronger wording to describe it as something really difficult to achieve.

once in a while more problematic

Indicates that the difficulty presents itself as a problem or obstacle.

certain times more intricate

Shifts the focus to the complicated or detailed nature of the situation.

under certain conditions more strenuous

Specifies that the difficulty is conditional and requires considerable effort.

dependent on circumstances more exacting

Links the increased difficulty to particular circumstances that make it demanding.

FAQs

How can I use "sometimes more difficult" in a sentence?

Use "sometimes more difficult" to indicate that a task, situation, or activity is occasionally harder than usual. For example, "Solving this type of problem is "sometimes more difficult" than it appears".

What are some alternatives to "sometimes more difficult"?

Alternatives include "occasionally more challenging", "at times more complex", or "periodically harder" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "some times more difficult" instead of "sometimes more difficult"?

No, "some times more difficult" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing is ""sometimes more difficult"", where "sometimes" is an adverb indicating frequency.

What does "sometimes more difficult" imply?

"Sometimes more difficult" suggests that a situation or task is not always hard, but there are occasions when it presents a greater challenge than usual. It implies variability in the level of difficulty.