that sounds difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

"that sounds difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a sentiment of difficulty with a certain task or situation. For example, "I'm trying to understand the complex instructions for building a model airplane - that sounds difficult!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"That sounds difficult".

The New Yorker

If that sounds difficult and complicated, it is.

The New York Times

If you think that sounds difficult, welcome to my world.

The New Yorker

If that sounds difficult, it's because it is.

TechCrunch

"That sounds difficult, but just being friendly does the trick most of the time.

Science Magazine

Maybe that sounds difficult, but then again, it can't be less effective than the gridlock in place today.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

If you think this sounds difficult, you would be right.

TechCrunch

If all this sounds difficult and convoluted, it actually isn't, and most people sail through the process very easily.

BBC

Another great way of cooking a whole chicken, butterflying is a quick technique that sounds more difficult than it is.

WikiHow

Once this is achieved, however, scores that once sounded "difficult" become straightforward; consonance can sound bland, dissonance provocative and thrilling.

The Guardian - Music

Painting with the colors of the wind sounds difficult, but Cravalho says that isn't the case.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, be mindful of your tone. A sincere tone can be comforting, while a sarcastic one can be dismissive.

Common error

Avoid assuming someone needs help just because they say something "sounds difficult". Sometimes, they simply need validation, not a solution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that sounds difficult" functions as an interjection or response to a statement, expressing empathy or acknowledging the challenging nature of a situation. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

21%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that sounds difficult" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey empathy and acknowledge the challenging nature of a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It functions as an interjection, providing validation and inviting further discussion. While versatile across different registers, it's crucial to maintain a sincere tone to avoid dismissiveness. Alternatives such as "that seems challenging" or "that appears complicated" can be used to add variety to your language. Remember to use it appropriately to validate the speaker's point of view.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that seems challenging

Replaces "sounds difficult" with "seems challenging", altering the verb and adjective while maintaining the core meaning.

that appears complicated

Substitutes "sounds" with "appears" and "difficult" with "complicated", shifting the emphasis to complexity.

that looks tricky

Replaces "sounds" with "looks" and "difficult" with "tricky", suggesting a visual assessment of difficulty.

that feels demanding

Changes "sounds" to "feels" and "difficult" to "demanding", focusing on the perceived effort required.

that promises to be arduous

Replaces the initial phrase with a more descriptive and formal expression of anticipated difficulty.

that presents a challenge

Uses a more formal and assertive tone to indicate the existence of a problem.

that suggests some obstacles

Implies difficulty indirectly by pointing out the potential obstacles.

that is no easy feat

Emphasizes the difficulty by stating that the task is not simple to accomplish.

that involves a lot of effort

Highlights the amount of work required, implying a level of difficulty.

that may not be a walk in the park

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey that something might be challenging.

FAQs

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

You can use "that sounds difficult" to express your understanding of a challenging situation someone is describing. For instance, if someone says they have to complete a complex project with a tight deadline, you could respond with "that sounds difficult" to acknowledge the challenge.

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

You can use alternatives like "that seems challenging", "that appears complicated", or "that looks tricky" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "that sounds difficult"?

It's appropriate to use "that sounds difficult" when you want to acknowledge that a task or situation someone is describing is likely to be challenging or require significant effort. It's a way to show empathy and understanding.

Is there a difference between saying "that sounds difficult" and "that will be difficult"?

"That sounds difficult" is generally used in response to something someone has said, indicating your immediate impression. "That will be difficult" is more of a prediction or assessment of a future task, expressing your belief about its level of difficulty.