way more difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

"way more difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the degree of difficulty of something. For example, "The exam this year was way more difficult than last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

And those are in some way more difficult to prevent.

The New York Times

"It's going to make it way more difficult.

The New York Times - Sports

This is way more difficult than it sounds.

The New York Times

"The French are way more difficult than the Chinese," he says.

The Economist

There was however a third way, more difficult, but one that would give us strength today.

The Guardian

I've worked with dudes in their 20s who were way more difficult than Barbra to work with.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Mr. Kerry's task is in some ways more difficult.

The New York Times

"Those are in some ways more difficult to prevent," he said.

The New York Times

Farming in the tropics is in many ways more difficult than in a temperate climate.

The Economist

Mr. Obama said such plots "are in some ways more difficult to prevent".

The New York Times

Plots by such people, he said, "are in some ways more difficult to prevent".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "way more difficult" to express a notable increase in difficulty, often in comparison to something else. Ensure the context is clear to understand what the comparison is being made against.

Common error

While "way more difficult" is acceptable, it can sound informal. In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "significantly harder" or "considerably more challenging" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "way more difficult" functions as an intensifier modifying the adjective "difficult". It amplifies the degree of difficulty being described. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "way more difficult" serves to strongly emphasize the degree of difficulty, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's a grammatically correct and commonly used expression, particularly prevalent in news and media contexts. While perfectly acceptable, its slightly informal tone means it might be more suitable for neutral and professional writing, and less so in formal academic or scientific writing. When greater formality is required alternatives like "significantly harder" or "considerably more challenging" are more adequate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly harder

Emphasizes the degree of difficulty as being substantial.

considerably tougher

Similar to "significantly harder" but with a slightly more informal tone.

much more challenging

Focuses on the stimulating aspect of the difficulty.

substantially more complex

Highlights the intricate nature contributing to the difficulty.

markedly more arduous

Implies the difficulty involves considerable effort and strain.

appreciably more demanding

Emphasizes the increased requirements and expectations.

noticeably more problematic

Focuses on the issues and troubles arising from the difficulty.

distinctly more troublesome

Similar to "noticeably more problematic" but carries a slightly negative connotation.

extraordinarily more intricate

Implies an exceptional level of detail contributing to the difficulty.

exceptionally more taxing

Highlights the depleting and strenuous nature of the difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "way more difficult" in a sentence?

You can use "way more difficult" to emphasize the difficulty of something compared to something else. For instance, "The second exam was "way more difficult" than the first".

What's a more formal way to say "way more difficult"?

For formal writing, consider alternatives like "significantly harder", "considerably tougher", or "substantially more complex". These options provide a more professional tone.

Is "way more difficult" grammatically correct?

Yes, "way more difficult" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English, although it leans towards the informal side.

What's the difference between "way more difficult" and "slightly more difficult"?

"Way more difficult" indicates a large difference in difficulty, while "slightly more difficult" suggests a small or negligible difference. The word "way" emphasizes the magnitude of the difference.