substantially more difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantially more difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task or situation that is significantly harder than another. Example: "The new software update has made the process of data entry substantially more difficult than before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

"If we try to find a student to do work part time in our administrative offices it's substantially more difficult than five years ago," Mr. Serpe said.

The New York Times

Answering even the simplest of questions about the geography of the green belt is therefore substantially more difficult than it ought to be.

The Guardian

But if the weather forecast proves accurate, the golf course should firm up and become substantially more difficult with each passing day.

The New York Times - Sports

All of these sources of credit would have been substantially more difficult – and in many cases impossible – to access if our financial system had been allowed to collapse.

The New York Times

But Mr. Greenfield stuck with his sell recommendation for the company's stock, saying he believed the next 12 to 18 months would be "substantially more difficult for Disney than investors are currently anticipating".

The New York Times

Mr. Levy will have to continue to lobby the state for the money to improve science instruction -- a task that has been made substantially more difficult by a city budget that cuts school aid.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Mr. Brodsky's caustic remarks brought howls of sympathetic laughter from the audience but also suggested the sense that running a publicly traded company in the post-Enron era was going to be substantially different -- more difficult and more expensive -- than it had been not too long ago, when the terms "public offering" and "getting rich" seemed synonymous.

The New York Times

We believe these differences to be caused by the difference in reading setting and the fact that we used a substantially larger and more difficult cohort.

European Radiology

The treatment of MDR- and XDR-TB is substantially more costly and difficult to treat, with higher rates of treatment failure and mortality, as compared to drug-susceptible tuberculosis [ 2, 3].

BMC Infectious Diseases

To search for regions sensitive to broad cognitive demands [ 7], we used the opposite contrast (nonwords > sentences) because the nonword task is substantially and significantly more difficult than the sentence task [ 12].

Current Biology

The synthesis of substantially larger genomes is more difficult and is unlikely to constitute a real bioterror threat in the immediate future.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantially more difficult", ensure the context clearly establishes the baseline for comparison. For example, specify what something is more difficult than to provide clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "substantially more difficult" when the increase in difficulty is only marginal or subjective. Choose a more precise modifier if the difference isn't significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantially more difficult" functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the adjective "difficult". It indicates a significant degree of increase in the level of difficulty. As Ludwig AI indicates, it’s appropriate for describing tasks or situations that are markedly challenging.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "substantially more difficult" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a significant increase in the level of difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for use in written English. It is frequently found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, it is essential to provide clear context for comparison and avoid overstating minor differences. Related phrases such as "considerably harder" or "significantly more challenging" can be used as alternatives to add variety to your writing. By understanding the subtle implications of this phrase, writers can effectively communicate the degree of challenge involved in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerably harder

Emphasizes the increased level of difficulty, focusing on the effort required.

significantly more challenging

Highlights the demanding nature of the task or situation.

markedly tougher

Indicates a noticeable increase in the stringency or rigor involved.

noticeably more arduous

Stresses the increased effort and laboriousness required.

appreciably more complex

Focuses on the increased intricacy and involved nature of the subject.

a good deal more demanding

Highlights the greater requirements and expectations involved.

vastly more complicated

Emphasizes the significant increase in complexity and interconnectedness.

considerably more intricate

Highlights the greater level of detail and complexity.

substantially harder to manage

Focuses on the increased difficulty in controlling or handling something.

considerably tougher to handle

Highlights increased difficulty in managing or dealing with something.

FAQs

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

Use "substantially more difficult" to indicate a significant increase in the level of challenge compared to something else. For example: "The advanced course is "substantially more difficult" than the introductory one."

What are some alternatives to saying "substantially more difficult"?

You can use alternatives like "considerably harder", "significantly more challenging", or "markedly tougher" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "more difficult" or "substantially more difficult"?

"More difficult" is a general comparison, while ""substantially more difficult"" emphasizes a significant difference in difficulty. The choice depends on the degree of difference you want to highlight.

What's the difference between "slightly more difficult" and "substantially more difficult"?

"Slightly more difficult" implies a minimal increase in difficulty, whereas ""substantially more difficult"" indicates a considerable and noticeable increase in the level of difficulty involved.