tricky to replicate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tricky to replicate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that is difficult to reproduce or imitate, often in contexts related to processes, experiments, or unique creations. Example: "The artist's technique is so unique that it is tricky to replicate, making each piece truly one of a kind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

If that sounds a bit tricky to replicate at home, try Nigel Slater's ten-minute pigeon, his pigeon with sorrel, or his hearty casserole.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The brief exterior scenes could easily be managed, but Jackson's co-star Jennifer Jason Leigh said the copious blood in the film could be tricky to replicate.

Independent

But if it does go bust, the French taxpayer must write that cheque to TVO.Even if the Finnish experiment is not explicitly subsidised, the model may nevertheless be tricky to replicate elsewhere.

The Economist

Other ventures, for example in areas where customers are twitchy dealing with startups, such as outsourcing, benefit from the gravitas bestowed by Warburg Pincus's 48-year heritage, 170 staff and $37 billion in assets under management.Others have tried their hand at the building-from-scratch model, particularly in oil and gas, but it is tricky to replicate.

The Economist

That's a dynamic that is tricky to replicate in other static sale models, Cheng pointed out.

TechCrunch

One of the things that was tricky to replicate was the levels of sweat on the skin, which reflected the ambient levels of light in the room.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

As it turns out, the "Desperate Housewives" formula is far trickier to replicate than it seems, to judge from these two shows anyway, and far from being tardy, the producers may have spent insufficient time in the lab.

The New York Times - Arts

On Tuesday Instagram released Hyperlapse from Instagram, an app designed to replicate the tricky process of capturing hyper-fast, ultra-smooth timelapse videos.

Vice

The tricky part will be in the attempt to replicate the playing conditions that since the first Test there in 1970 have made the ground unique.

The Guardian - Sport

Try to replicate it.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"It's hard to replicate".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "tricky to replicate" when simpler alternatives like "difficult to reproduce" are more appropriate for the context.

Common error

Don't use "tricky to replicate" when "difficult to copy" or "hard to reproduce" will suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tricky to replicate" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or concept, describing its quality of being difficult to reproduce or imitate. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

17%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tricky to replicate" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something that is difficult to reproduce or imitate. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for use in written English, particularly in neutral to professional contexts. While not as common as simpler alternatives, understanding its nuances and appropriate usage can enhance the precision of your writing. Remember to consider whether simpler phrases like "difficult to reproduce" or "hard to duplicate" might be more suitable depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to reproduce

Emphasizes the difficulty in creating an exact copy.

hard to duplicate

Similar to reproduce, but may imply a simpler process.

challenging to imitate

Focuses on the difficulty of mimicking something.

not easily duplicated

Highlights the lack of ease in replicating something.

tough to copy

Uses more informal language to convey the difficulty.

complex to recreate

Suggests the need for a complex process to replicate.

onerous to reconstruct

Implies the task is burdensome or taxing to recreate.

not straightforward to emulate

Emphasizes the lack of simplicity in imitating.

presents difficulties in mirroring

Focuses on the challenges of mirroring aspects.

poses problems for replication

Highlights problems and obstacles associated with the attempt to replicate.

FAQs

What does "tricky to replicate" mean?

The phrase "tricky to replicate" means something is difficult or challenging to reproduce or imitate. It suggests that the process of copying or recreating something is not straightforward and may require significant skill or effort.

What can I say instead of "tricky to replicate"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult to reproduce", "hard to duplicate", or "challenging to imitate" depending on the specific context.

Is "tricky to replicate" formal or informal?

The phrase "tricky to replicate" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal writing might prefer "difficult to reproduce".

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

You can use "tricky to replicate" in a sentence like this: "The artist's unique technique makes their style very "tricky to replicate"."