the trickiest

USAGE SUMMARY

"the trickiest" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when comparing difficulty levels among multiple items or tasks. Example: "This puzzle is the trickiest of all the ones we've solved." Alternative expressions include "the most challenging" and "the hardest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Perhaps the trickiest is pension reform.

The Economist

One of the trickiest is pension reform.

The Economist

That last task may be the trickiest.

The New Yorker

But the part may be the trickiest.

The New York Times

The trickiest being, acting as pseudohost.

The New York Times - Food

Movie stars are the trickiest customers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Ms. Robins has the trickiest role.

The New York Times

And moderation is often the trickiest adjustment of all.

The New York Times

It is the trickiest relationship in the business.

The Economist

The trickiest issue concerns the share-out of gas revenues.

The Economist

Still, the trial process could be the trickiest part.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "the most challenging" or "the most complex" for variety and to tailor the tone to your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "the trickiest" in situations where there isn't a defined set of items or tasks being compared. For example, instead of saying "That was the trickiest thing", specify "That was the trickiest part of the project".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the trickiest" functions primarily as a superlative adjective. It modifies a noun by indicating that it possesses the highest degree of difficulty or complexity compared to others in a given set. As noted by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used to highlight the most challenging aspect of a situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the trickiest" is a superlative adjective phrase used to denote the highest level of difficulty or complexity within a set of options. Ludwig AI confirms that this is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. The phrase is best used when a clear comparison is intended, and alternatives such as "the most challenging" or "the most complex" can be considered for stylistic variation. When writing, be sure to provide clarity and context. This ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the most challenging

Replaces "tricky" with "challenging", focusing on the difficulty aspect.

the hardest

A simpler alternative emphasizing the effort required.

the toughest

A more informal synonym for "the hardest".

the most complex

Highlights the intricate nature of the subject.

the most problematic

Emphasizes the potential for issues or difficulties.

the most intricate

Focuses on the detailed and elaborate nature.

the most demanding

Highlights the high requirements and effort involved.

the most delicate

Implies that careful handling is required.

the most sensitive

Highlights the need for caution and awareness.

the most awkward

Focuses on the uncomfortable or difficult nature.

FAQs

How can I use "the trickiest" in a sentence?

Use "the trickiest" when comparing the difficulty of multiple options, such as "This puzzle is "the trickiest" of all the ones we've solved".

What's a good alternative to "the trickiest"?

Alternatives include "the most challenging", "the most difficult", or "the most complex", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "the trickiest" or "the most tricky"?

"The trickiest" is generally preferred as it's a more concise and natural way to express the superlative form of "tricky".

When is it appropriate to use "the trickiest" in formal writing?

It is appropriate in formal writing when you need to express that something is the most difficult or complicated among a specific set of options. Just ensure the context is clear and the comparison is well-defined.