was incredibly difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was incredibly difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a past experience or task that posed significant challenges or obstacles. Example: "The exam was incredibly difficult, and many students struggled to complete it on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It was incredibly difficult.

The Guardian

"It was incredibly difficult," O'Connell said.

The New York Times - Sports

More important, it was incredibly difficult to administer.

The New York Times - Magazine

But it was incredibly difficult to push up a hill.

The New York Times

For the whole team it was incredibly difficult.

The Guardian - Sport

"It was incredibly difficult," Johnson admits, "but necessary".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

To then go into isolation was incredibly difficult.

The Guardian

He said deciding how to vote was "incredibly difficult".

The Guardian

"It was incredibly difficult," said the woman, who asked that her name not be used.

The New York Times

"It was incredibly difficult to get on a course," he chuckles.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

These are incredibly difficult decisions.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was incredibly difficult" to accurately convey the degree of challenge faced in a specific situation. It's more impactful than simply stating something was "difficult".

Common error

While "was incredibly difficult" is acceptable, avoid relying on "incredibly" too often. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "exceptionally", "extremely", or "remarkably" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was incredibly difficult" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the subject's state or quality. It indicates that something experienced a high degree of challenge or complexity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was incredibly difficult" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe something that presented a significant challenge. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and broad applicability. While suitable for various contexts, as predominantly seen in news and media, it is essential to consider the audience and tone and vary your language to avoid overuse. Alternatives like "was extremely challenging" or "presented immense obstacles" can enhance your writing. By understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate usage, you can effectively use "was incredibly difficult" to convey the degree of challenge in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was exceptionally challenging

Replaces "incredibly difficult" with "exceptionally challenging", emphasizing the high degree of challenge.

was extremely arduous

Substitutes "incredibly difficult" with "extremely arduous", highlighting the effort and exertion required.

was formidably complex

Replaces "incredibly difficult" with "formidably complex", focusing on the complexity and intricacy involved.

presented immense obstacles

Shifts from describing the difficulty directly to emphasizing the significant barriers encountered.

was a herculean task

Uses a metaphor to describe the difficulty, comparing it to the labors of Hercules.

required extraordinary effort

Focuses on the high level of effort needed to overcome the difficulty.

posed significant hurdles

Similar to "presented immense obstacles", this highlights the challenges that had to be overcome.

was anything but easy

Uses understatement to emphasize the difficulty of the situation.

tried my utmost

Indicates you tried your best

stretched me to my limits

Demonstrates you have been challenged

FAQs

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

You can use "was incredibly difficult" to describe tasks, situations, or experiences that presented significant challenges. For example, "The exam "was incredibly difficult", requiring many hours of study."

What are some alternatives to saying "was incredibly difficult"?

Alternatives include "was extremely challenging", "was exceptionally arduous", or "presented immense obstacles" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "was incredibly difficult", or should I use a different phrasing?

"Was incredibly difficult" is grammatically correct and widely accepted. However, consider your audience and the tone you wish to convey. More formal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "presented considerable challenges."

What's the difference between "was incredibly difficult" and "was very difficult"?

"Was incredibly difficult" emphasizes a higher degree of difficulty compared to "was very difficult". The use of "incredibly" intensifies the challenge, suggesting it was exceptionally hard to overcome.