this was tricky

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "this was tricky" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this expression whenever you want to describe something as challenging or complicated. For example: "I thought I had all the answers on the quiz, but then I came to the last question and realized this was tricky."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Now this was tricky.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

■ 75D: This was tricky, but true.

The New York Times

This was tricky wardrobe territory as the ball was black tie and the theater obviously not.

The New York Times

(This was tricky to imagine, since the only trip he ever came on was to the theatre at Stratford).

The New Yorker

This was tricky enough at the time I voted (last Wednesday), and even tougher since Monaghan's brilliant performance against Wigan on Sunday.

The Guardian - Sport

This was tricky — in addition to realizing you could use both pans of the balance scale, it helped to notice that breaking a single link in the middle of a chain produces three separate pieces.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

But this is tricky.

Cornell University

This is tricky business.

The New York Times - Arts

Gosh, this is tricky.

The Guardian - Travel

This is tricky territory.

The Guardian - Books

And this is tricky territory.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this was tricky", ensure the context clearly indicates what "this" refers to. Avoid ambiguity by providing sufficient background information.

Common error

While "this was tricky" is acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "this presented a challenge" or "this required careful consideration" in professional or academic writing to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this was tricky" functions as an observation or assessment of a situation or task. As noted by Ludwig AI, it describes something challenging or complicated. The examples from Ludwig show it used in various narrative and descriptive contexts to highlight difficulty.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this was tricky" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe a situation or task as challenging or complicated. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English across various contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferable in academic or professional settings. While its register is generally neutral, its primary function is to convey difficulty. Remember to provide sufficient context when using this phrase to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this proved challenging

Replaces "tricky" with "challenging" and "was" with "proved", indicating the difficulty became apparent.

this presented difficulties

Uses a more formal tone, replacing "was tricky" with "presented difficulties", focusing on the problems encountered.

this turned out to be complicated

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the complexity, using "turned out to be complicated" instead of "was tricky".

this required careful navigation

Highlights the need for caution and precision, replacing the general "tricky" with a more specific description of the required approach.

this demanded a strategic approach

Focuses on the need for a well-planned strategy, suggesting the situation wasn't just difficult but also required careful planning.

navigating this wasn't straightforward

Emphasizes that there was not a simple way, indicating a certain level of difficulty.

it wasn't easy to handle

Highlights the lack of easiness in handling the situation.

it posed a complex problem

Changes the focus from an observation to a statement defining a complex problem.

it called for a delicate approach

The challenge requires sensitivity and tact.

this involved a convoluted process

Highlights the complexity and winding nature of a process, implying something was unnecessarily difficult.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "this was tricky" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "this presented a challenge", "this required careful consideration", or "this demanded a strategic approach".

Is "this was tricky" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "this was tricky" might be too informal for most academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated phrases that convey complexity, such as "this involved a convoluted process".

What's a more direct alternative to "this was tricky"?

A more direct alternative depends on the specific challenge. For example, if something required precision, you could say "this required careful navigation". If it involved problem-solving, try "it posed a complex problem".

Can "this was tricky" be used to describe a person?

While possible, it's more common to use "this was tricky" to describe situations, tasks, or problems. To describe a person, consider alternatives like "he/she is complicated" or "he/she is difficult to understand."