that was difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'that was difficult' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation that was challenging or difficult. For example: The assignment was very challenging, but I managed to get through it - that was difficult.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To cut out the most expensive scene, that was difficult.

The Guardian - Film

He had a psychological edge that was difficult to measure.

The New York Times - Sports

"Jokingly," was the answer that was difficult to disprove.

The New York Times

There was something about saying "yes" that was difficult.

Independent

This was a story that was difficult to tell visually.

The New York Times

"It's time to turn a page, and this was an offer that was difficult to refuse".

The New York Times - Arts

"They resolved a situation that was difficult for me," Mr. Lichtblau said.

The New York Times

Then it got all this other response that was difficult to understand".

The New York Times

He added, "The only thing that was difficult was that obviously it was a little far".

The New York Times

There was always "10% of him that was difficult to know.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mustafa said this with a straight face that was difficult to read.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. While "that was difficult" is generally acceptable, more formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "that presented a challenge" or "that proved problematic".

Common error

Avoid using "that was difficult" repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms or more descriptive sentences to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was difficult" functions as a declarative statement, expressing the speaker's perception of a past event or situation as challenging. Ludwig confirms that the expression is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that was difficult" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that expresses a past experience of hardship. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, from informal conversations to news reports. While acceptable, it's advisable to avoid overuse and explore synonyms for variety. Remember to be specific to what extent the event was difficult to help give the message more impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that wasn't easy

A more informal way of saying something was difficult, implying it required some effort.

that presented challenges

Focuses on the challenges posed by a situation, highlighting the obstacles encountered.

that was a struggle

Focuses on the effort and difficulty experienced while dealing with something.

that proved problematic

Emphasizes the problems or difficulties that arose as a result of something.

that was no simple task

Suggests the situation involved complexities and wasn't straightforward.

that required effort

Highlights the need for exertion and hard work to overcome a challenge.

that was quite demanding

Highlights the high demands or requirements associated with a situation.

that tested my limits

Implies the situation pushed one's abilities or endurance to the extreme.

that stretched my abilities

Similar to testing limits, but emphasizes the expansion of one's capabilities.

that posed a hurdle

Highlights that the task raised some obstacles.

FAQs

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

You can use "that was difficult" to describe something challenging. For example, "The exam was very challenging; "that was difficult"".

What phrases are similar to "that was difficult"?

Alternatives include "that presented challenges", "that proved problematic", or "that wasn't easy".

Is "that was difficult" too informal for professional writing?

While generally acceptable, for formal writing, consider alternatives like "that presented a challenge" or "that required significant effort".

What's the difference between "that was difficult" and "that was impossible"?

"That was difficult" means something was challenging but achievable, whereas "that was impossible" indicates something could not be done. Consider "that was tough", "that was challenging", or other alternatives to precisely fit the context.