tricky to locate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tricky to locate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that is difficult to find or identify. Example: "The hidden treasure was tricky to locate, even with the map in hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Oldham General's Patrick Steptoe produced the world's first test tube baby in 1978 and Sir John Charnley, the pioneer of hip-joint operations, would not allow any surgeon to use his prostheses until they had done a course at Wrightington hospital in Wigan, which some Harley Street eminences found tricky to locate.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Taking apart a duck is not unlike sectioning a chicken; although the joints are a bit trickier to locate, you will find them.

The New York Times - Food

Mr. Bay himself was trickier to locate as he bounced between meetings about a new "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" movie he is producing, and a fourth "Transformers" movie whose start date was weeks away.

The New York Times

The Shard might be hard to miss, rising 300m above London Bridge station, but the entrance to the View is trickier to find – located in the brick vaulted passage of Joiner Street that threads its way beneath the station.

The Guardian

Families struggled to locate relatives.

The New York Times

You need to locate it.

WikiHow

Always easy to locate again!

WikiHow

The buttons are actually a bit tricky to get a handle on, as they're located beneath the fabric and don't line up with the dots.

TechCrunch

It can be tricky to find Pro Touch, off Middle Country Road, because it is located behind the far side of the building.

The New York Times - Sports

It is tricky to take either of these papers as the gold standard for where the epitopes are located.

Biology Direct

Tricky to say.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tricky to locate" when you want to convey that something requires extra effort or skill to find, rather than simply stating it's "hard to find".

Common error

While "tricky to locate" is acceptable in many contexts, it may sound less professional in formal writing. Opt for alternatives like "difficult to pinpoint" or "challenging to identify" in business or academic settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tricky to locate" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive verb, describing the degree of difficulty associated with finding or identifying something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tricky to locate" is a phrase used to describe something that requires more than a simple search to find. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable. While it is widely acceptable, particularly in news, media, and general contexts, remember that more formal alternatives like "difficult to pinpoint" may be preferred in academic or professional settings. Consider your audience and the context to pick the perfect turn of phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to pinpoint

Emphasizes the precision required in the location process, highlighting the challenge in identifying the exact spot.

hard to find

A simpler, more general way of expressing difficulty in finding something.

challenging to discover

Focuses on the effort and engagement needed to find something, rather than just the difficulty.

not easy to identify

Highlights the difficulty in recognizing or distinguishing something.

obscure

Indicates that something is hidden, vague, or not well-known.

elusive

Suggests that something is difficult to catch or achieve, often because it moves around or changes.

problematic to unearth

Emphasizes that discovering something bring some kind of problems.

taxing to unearth

Implies effort in finding something, but focusing on the exhaustion that search creates.

enigmatic to come across

Highlights the mysterious or puzzling nature of what is being found.

arcane to stumble upon

Implicates the chance that discovery represents as something serendipitous or coincidental.

FAQs

How can I use "tricky to locate" in a sentence?

You can use "tricky to locate" to describe something that is not easy to find. For example: "The entrance was "tricky to locate", hidden behind a small bush".

What are some alternatives to "tricky to locate"?

Some alternatives include "hard to find", "difficult to pinpoint", or "challenging to discover". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "tricky to locate" formal or informal?

"Tricky to locate" leans towards the informal side. In more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "difficult to pinpoint" or "challenging to discover".

What makes something "tricky to locate"?

Something might be "tricky to locate" because it is well-hidden, lacks clear signposting, or requires specialized knowledge to find. It suggests a moderate level of difficulty beyond a simple search.