Cool MateDifficult vs Not so easy
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Difficult
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adjective
Not so easy
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Difficult
| Difficult | Not so easy | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈdɪfɪkəlt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈdɪfɪkəlt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //nɒt səʊ ˈiːzi//🇺🇸 //nɑt soʊ ˈizi// |
| Meaning | Hard to do or understand. | Something that is not simple or straightforward. |
| Example | This math problem is really difficult. | Completing this project on time is **not so easy**. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, look, prove, extremely, fairly, very, be, look, prove, extremely, fairly, very | not so easy task, not so easy to understand, not so easy as it seems, not so easy decision |
| Antonyms | easy, simple, straightforward | - |
| Common mistakes | 'Difficult' is often confused with 'hard.', Some learners use 'difficult' in place of 'complicated.', Misplacing 'difficult' in a sentence, like saying 'it's difficult to me' instead of 'it's difficult for me.' | Use 'not so easy' in formal writing where it's too informal., Confuse with 'not easy' - 'not so easy' implies a comparison., Overuse in contexts where simpler phrases would suffice. |
| Usage notes | Use 'difficult' when describing tasks, problems, or situations that require a lot of effort. Avoid in very casual conversations; instead, use synonyms like 'hard.' | Used to express that a task or situation is more difficult than it appears. Often used informally in conversation. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Difficult vs Not so easy
What's the difference between Difficult and Not so easy?
Difficult: Hard to do or understand. Not so easy: Something that is not simple or straightforward.
Which is more common: Difficult and Not so easy?
Difficult is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Difficult: This math problem is really difficult. Not so easy: Completing this project on time is **not so easy**.
Can I use Difficult and Not so easy interchangeably?
Not always. Difficult and Not so easy are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.