that seems difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that seems difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing an opinion or observation about a task or situation that appears to be challenging. Example: "Looking at the math problem, I must say that seems difficult to solve without additional help."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Ten days after the tsunami hit, that seems difficult to believe.

The New York Times

He added, "We're asking people not to give up on art that seems difficult or that they feel indifferent toward or that they think is meaningless".

The New York Times - Arts

It's a market that seems difficult for Dell to compete in considering its own financial issues.

TechCrunch

Yet what he meets, very often, are locals caught inside a day-to-day predicament that seems difficult to see past.

BBC

The science curriculum has been long seen as overloaded (Vogel 1996; Newton et al. 1999), raising a question that seems difficult to answer: Where and how to insert the behavior content?

Evolution: Education and Outreach

It is a gargantuan monster that seems difficult to tame.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"I have freedom, and the aspects that seem difficult, like running from place to place, actually keep it very interesting.

The New York Times

"The pieces we did early on that seemed difficult tonally and rhythmically became less and less so," he said over coffee in a Stockholm hotel.

The New York Times - Arts

A friend or partner stood for each of the victims, and offered the sort of small, human details that seem difficult to remember in a time when police regularly distance themselves from the public with military-grade armor and equipment.

The Guardian

For all of the things that seem difficult to accept, he also would sit me down at age 12 and say, "Here's 10 great words that I think you should know," or "Here's Ernest Hemingway," or "Here's pop art".

The New York Times - Magazine

"What I want to do is create characters that seem difficult to like, but by virtue of me writing them and me playing them, I try to humanise them and sympathise with them and hopefully create a portrait of a person that is much more complicated".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, consider the context and ensure that your audience understands the basis for your perception of difficulty. Adding a brief explanation can provide clarity and prevent misunderstandings.

Common error

Avoid using "that seems difficult" to dismiss a task outright. Instead, use it as a starting point for further discussion or problem-solving. Overstating the difficulty can discourage collaboration and innovation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that seems difficult" primarily functions as a subjective assessment. It expresses an opinion or impression regarding the level of difficulty associated with something. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that seems difficult" is a grammatically sound expression used to convey a subjective assessment of challenge or complexity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is both correct and usable in various writing contexts. While not overly formal, it maintains a neutral register suitable for news, general communication and scientific articles. Its purpose is primarily to express a perception of difficulty, serving as a starting point for discussion or problem-solving. While there may be cases where the difficulty is understated, the overall value of the phrase lies in its ability to signal potential challenges to others.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that appears challenging

Changes the verb from 'seems' to 'appears', emphasizing the outward impression of difficulty.

that looks tough

Uses a more informal verb 'looks' and the adjective 'tough' to convey a similar meaning.

that presents a challenge

Replaces 'seems difficult' with a more direct statement of the situation presenting a challenge.

that is no easy task

Emphasizes the lack of ease rather than the presence of difficulty.

that is quite demanding

Uses 'demanding' to highlight the effort required.

that requires considerable effort

Focuses on the amount of effort needed.

that is rather complicated

Shifts the focus to the complexity of the situation.

that might be problematic

Suggests potential issues or obstacles.

that could prove troublesome

Highlights the potential for future trouble or difficulty.

that isn't a walk in the park

Uses an idiom to express that something is not easy.

FAQs

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

You can use "that seems difficult" to express your perception of a task's or situation's level of challenge. For example, "Solving this equation? Yes, "that seems difficult" without a calculator."

What are some alternatives to "that seems difficult"?

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

Is it better to say "that seems difficult" or "that is difficult"?

"That seems difficult" expresses a subjective opinion, while "that is difficult" implies an objective truth. The better choice depends on whether you are expressing a personal perception or stating a generally recognized fact.

When is it appropriate to use "that seems difficult" in professional writing?

It's appropriate to use "that seems difficult" in professional writing when you want to acknowledge a potential challenge without being overly negative or discouraging. For example, when addressing a complex problem or outlining a project with potential hurdles.