A2 adjective Neutral #461 most common

difficult

/ˈdɪf.ɪ.kəlt/

Something that is hard to do, understand, or deal with because it requires a lot of effort or skill. It can also describe a person who is not easy to please or work with.

Examples

3 of 5
1

This math homework is really difficult for me to finish.

This math schoolwork is very hard for me to complete.

2

The committee faced a difficult decision regarding the new budget.

The group had a very hard choice to make about the new money plan.

3

Trying to get him to agree is so difficult!

It is very hard to make him say yes to the plan.

Word Family

Noun
difficulty
Adverb
difficultly
Adjective
difficult
Related
difficultness
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Memory Tip

Think of the 'D' in Difficult as 'Doing' something that is 'Dreadfully' hard.

Quick Quiz

The exam was very _____, so many students did not pass.

Correct!

The correct answer is: difficult

Examples

1

This math homework is really difficult for me to finish.

everyday

This math schoolwork is very hard for me to complete.

2

The committee faced a difficult decision regarding the new budget.

formal

The group had a very hard choice to make about the new money plan.

3

Trying to get him to agree is so difficult!

informal

It is very hard to make him say yes to the plan.

4

The researchers encountered difficult conditions during the polar expedition.

academic

The scientists faced hard situations while exploring the poles.

5

It is a difficult market to enter because of the high competition.

business

It is a hard industry to start a business in due to many competitors.

Word Family

Noun
difficulty
Adverb
difficultly
Adjective
difficult
Related
difficultness

Common Collocations

difficult task a hard piece of work to do
difficult situation a hard set of circumstances
difficult time a period of hardship or trouble
difficult decision a choice that is not easy to make
difficult person someone who is hard to deal with

Common Phrases

a difficult pill to swallow

a fact that is hard to accept

make things difficult

to cause trouble or problems for someone

the difficult years

a period of time involving many problems

Often Confused With

difficult vs hard

Hard can describe physical texture (like a rock), whereas difficult only describes complexity or effort.

difficult vs different

Different means not the same, while difficult means hard to do; they sound slightly similar to beginners.

📝

Usage Notes

Difficult is slightly more formal than 'hard'. It is frequently followed by an infinitive (e.g., 'difficult to breathe').

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often say 'it is difficult for me' correctly but sometimes use 'to' instead. Use 'for' to indicate the person finding it hard.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'D' in Difficult as 'Doing' something that is 'Dreadfully' hard.

📖

Word Origin

From the Latin 'difficultas', which means trouble, hardship, or distress.

Grammar Patterns

It is difficult + to + verb (e.g., It is difficult to say) Difficult + for + object (e.g., Difficult for her)
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Cultural Context

In English-speaking business culture, calling a person 'difficult' is a polite way of saying they are uncooperative.

Quick Quiz

The exam was very _____, so many students did not pass.

Correct!

The correct answer is: difficult

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