Extensive difficulties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Extensive difficulties" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe significant or considerable challenges or problems encountered in a situation. Example: "The project faced extensive difficulties due to unforeseen circumstances, which delayed its completion."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

In European countries with laws that define a narrow interpretation of "legal representatives," researchers have reported extensive difficulties with enrolling patients in research [9, 48].

Annals of Intensive Care

In European countries with laws that define a narrow interpretation of "legal representatives," researchers have reported extensive difficulties with enrolling patients in research [ 9, 48].

Annals of Intensive Care

Nonetheless, we do not expect extensive difficulties as it has recently been shown that a rat ESC line derived in 3i culture medium permits targeting of the Trp53 gene albeit with a low efficiency of 1 4% [ 34].

BioEssays

Though the fossil record of Bovidae and Ruminantia is extensive, difficulties of phylogenetic resolution mean that many topological relationships and phylogeographic reconstructions have come from molecular phylogenies of extant taxa.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The lack of association between neighbourhood deprivation and multimorbidity in this population is likely to be due to area based measures of deprivation not accurately reflecting the relative degree of affluence or poverty experienced by people with intellectual disabilities, in the face of the extensive difficulties they have to cope with in life.

BMC Family Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

More to the point, the court said (para 482) that prosecutors should not have delegated their investigative responsibilities to these intermediaries, despite the extensive security difficulties that investigators faced.

The Guardian

In the judgment issued on Wednesday, however, the judges found that the prosecutor "should not have delegated its investigative responsibilities to the intermediaries as analysed in the judgment, notwithstanding the extensive security difficulties that it faced".

The Guardian

Dr. Fisher's examination, completed in February, concluded that Mr. McMillian's level of functioning fell in the "mild mental retardation range"; that he had an I.Q. of about 67; and that he had extensive cognitive difficulties dating back to childhood.

The New York Times

We hypothesized that children who had completed their primary education without the disruptive influence of seizures on the acquisition of their core basic skills (numeracy, literacy, and problem solving) would have less extensive neuropsychological difficulties in adulthood than those whose early cognitive development occurred in the context of seizures and treatment for epilepsy.

Epilepsia

An email giving details of the objectives and the topics of the focus groups invited 12 experts with extensive experience with difficulties and problems associated with programmes of medical assessment to participate in the study.

Advances in Health Sciences Education

Despite these difficulties, extensive laboratory and clinical studies of several neurodevelopmental toxicants, including lead, mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls, alcohol, and nicotine, demonstrate the unique vulnerability of the developing brain to environmental agents at exposure levels that have no lasting effect in adults.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "extensive difficulties", consider the specific context. It suggests more than just a minor inconvenience, implying significant and widespread challenges.

Common error

Avoid using "extensive difficulties" for minor or easily resolved issues. Reserve it for situations where the problems are truly significant and impact multiple areas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extensive difficulties" functions as a noun phrase, where "extensive" modifies the noun "difficulties". It typically serves as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause to describe a situation fraught with significant problems, as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "extensive difficulties" is a grammatically sound and usable term, although Ludwig AI flags it as relatively rare. It serves to describe significant and widespread problems. Its register is generally neutral to formal, making it suitable for academic, scientific, and journalistic contexts. As Ludwig examples demonstrate, "extensive difficulties" implies more than minor inconveniences; it highlights substantial challenges that can affect various aspects of a situation. To ensure accurate usage, avoid employing it for trivial issues and be mindful of the specific context to convey the appropriate level of severity. Alternative phrases include "significant hardships" and "considerable challenges".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Significant hardships

Replaces "difficulties" with "hardships", emphasizing the severity of the challenges. It has a high degree of semantic similarity.

Considerable challenges

Substitutes both words with synonyms, maintaining a formal tone. It is widely applicable and closely related in meaning.

Major setbacks

Focuses on the negative impact of the difficulties, implying obstacles that hinder progress. The semantic similarity remains high.

Substantial obstacles

Emphasizes the imposing nature of the difficulties. The alteration retains a similar meaning and level of formality.

Severe complications

Suggests the difficulties are complex and potentially dangerous. It carries a more serious connotation.

Numerous problems

Highlights the quantity of issues. This variant is slightly less formal and more general.

Wide-ranging issues

Focuses on the scope or variety of difficulties, indicating they affect many areas. It implies a broad impact.

Serious troubles

Emphasizes the gravity and concern associated with the difficulties, implying considerable stress.

Great adversity

Frames the difficulties as a form of hardship or suffering, presenting a more dramatic portrayal.

Formidable impediments

Emphasizes the imposing and daunting nature of the difficulties, suggesting they are hard to overcome.

FAQs

How can I use "extensive difficulties" in a sentence?

You can use "extensive difficulties" to describe significant problems encountered in a project, situation, or process. For example, "The project faced extensive difficulties due to unforeseen circumstances".

What are some alternatives to "extensive difficulties"?

You can use alternatives like "significant hardships", "considerable challenges", or "major setbacks" depending on the context.

Is "extensive difficulties" formal or informal?

"Extensive difficulties" is suitable for formal and neutral contexts. It's appropriate for professional, academic, and journalistic writing.

What's the difference between "extensive difficulties" and "minor inconveniences"?

"Extensive difficulties" refers to substantial and widespread problems, while "minor inconveniences" describes small, easily resolved issues. Using "extensive difficulties" for trivial matters would be an overstatement.