that looks difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that looks difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing an opinion about the complexity or challenge of a task, situation, or object. Example: "When I saw the math problem, I thought to myself, that looks difficult."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

BBC Radio Lancashire's Scott Read: "Lancashire stuck at it really well on a long hot day in the field, bowling on a slow pitch that looks difficult to score quickly on and might only get slower.

BBC

"Wow, that looks difficult".

Huffington Post

Tim Yeo, chairman of the committee, said: "We believe the UK's shale resources should be exploited, but that looks difficult given local opposition to drilling.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It is the nature of big capital that it avoids things that look "difficult" and it is unlikely to want to bet against government policy.

Independent

And it involved teaching him to take a deep breath or ask for help before he got totally overwhelmed by an assignment that looked difficult.

Huffington Post

Look up words that look difficult to pronounce (this is common in poems written before the 1900s,) and practice saying the words that are difficult so that you can read them straight away while recording.

WikiHow

It's not ugly, but a car that looks strange is difficult to spend your hard-earned cash on.

Forbes

Other regional conflicts that look very difficult, meanwhile – the demise of a two-state solution for Israel-Palestine, for example – Rubio presented as every bit as confounding as they seem, with the United States powerless to act.

The Guardian

In the world view Rubio outlined Wednesday, which he billed as a new doctrine, certain regional conflicts that look very difficult – the ongoing war in Syria, the failed state of Libya – in fact began as tractable problems that spun out of control due to tragic US negligence.

The Guardian

The target that India has looks difficult, but is achieveable," said Irani.

The Guardian

The shakuhachi, a Japanese wooden flute, is an instrument that looks basic and is dauntingly difficult to play.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider alternatives like "that presents a challenge" or "that appears complex" for a more sophisticated tone.

Common error

While "that looks difficult" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your tone seem less professional. Vary your language with more precise and sophisticated alternatives like "that presents a significant challenge" or "that requires considerable expertise".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that looks difficult" functions primarily as an evaluative statement. It subjectively assesses the apparent complexity or challenge of something. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, from cricket pitches to political situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

22%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that looks difficult" is a common and generally acceptable way to express a subjective assessment of something's complexity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and widely used. While versatile, it's important to consider the context; more formal alternatives may be preferable in professional settings. The phrase's usage patterns, as seen in Ludwig, lean towards news and media, reflecting its role in everyday communication. When writing, remember that clarity and precision are key, and choosing the right words can significantly impact your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that seems challenging

Emphasizes the challenging aspect, suggesting a degree of difficulty without explicitly stating it.

that appears complex

Highlights the intricacy and complicated nature of something.

that is quite demanding

Highlights the effort and skill required to accomplish something.

that seems daunting

Suggests that something is intimidating and may discourage someone from attempting it.

that seems problematic

Focuses on the potential issues and complications associated with something.

that presents a challenge

Formal way of stating that something is not easy and requires effort.

that appears troublesome

Suggests that something is likely to cause problems or difficulties.

that's no walk in the park

Informal idiom indicating that something is not easy or simple.

that'll be a tough nut to crack

Idiomatic expression indicating that something will be difficult to solve or understand.

that's a tall order

Informal way of saying that something is a difficult request or task.

FAQs

What does "that looks difficult" mean?

The phrase "that looks difficult" expresses an opinion that something seems challenging or complex. It indicates a subjective assessment rather than an objective fact.

How can I use "that looks difficult" in a sentence?

You can use "that looks difficult" when observing a task, problem, or situation that appears challenging. For example: "That math problem "that looks difficult", I'll need help with it."

What can I say instead of "that looks difficult"?

You can use alternatives like "that seems challenging", "that appears complex", or "that presents a challenge" depending on the context.

Is "that looks difficult" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "that looks difficult" might be too informal for certain formal contexts. Consider more sophisticated alternatives like "that presents a significant challenge" or "that requires considerable expertise" to maintain a professional tone.