In a difficult way

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "In a difficult way" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a manner of doing something that is challenging or complicated. Example: "She managed to solve the problem, but she did it in a difficult way that took much longer than necessary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The bodyguard "despised small people who earned their everyday bread in a difficult way.... Why do they sing in church choirs and light candles?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Running a pub in this environment is a difficult way to make a living but I believe it is important".

Independent

"We don't know if we can continue on operating in this manner because suddenly our eyes have been opened in a very difficult way".

Vice

If you're reinventing yourself in a particularly difficult way, such as coming out of the closet, or breaking from a religious community, make sure that you have the support of a friend or family member during this difficult time.

WikiHow

Britain faces this divide in a particularly difficult way.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's changed the whole psychology of the country in a very difficult way," he says.

The Guardian

Google submitted information in an especially difficult way for the researchers to handle, providing content such as YouTube videos but not the related data that would have allowed a full analysis.

The Washington Post

This kind of systems aid users to find contents in a non-difficult way and with minimal effort.

Computers in Human Behavior

That is Otsuka's justification for telling the story in an unusual and difficult way, and it is a powerful one.

The Guardian - Books

"I'm proud of our guys in a difficult situation; the way they made plays and found a way to win the entire day".

The New York Times - Sports

But this time it was not just playing background music for a group of beer-drinkers: party-goers young and old sat in striking stillness, their reverence for the music obvious in a way difficult to conceive of outside Germany.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in a difficult way", ensure the context clearly explains the nature of the difficulty. This helps readers understand the specific challenges involved. For example, "She solved the problem, but in a difficult way that consumed excessive time and resources."

Common error

Avoid using "in a difficult way" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your phrasing by using alternatives like "with considerable difficulty" or "in a complicated manner" to maintain reader interest and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a difficult way" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates that the action is carried out with considerable challenges or complications, as seen in examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in a difficult way" serves as an adverbial phrase used to depict the challenging or complicated manner in which an action is performed. Analysis of Ludwig examples confirms its versatile usage across contexts like news, science, and academia. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, be mindful of overuse, diversifying with alternatives like "with considerable difficulty" for varied expression. While Ludwig AI confirms its overall correctness, context remains key for optimal deployment. Using it to make the writing more informative and detailed, describing clearly how something can be challenging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

With considerable difficulty

Focuses on the level of effort required rather than the process.

In a complicated manner

Highlights the intricacy involved, rather than the degree of hardship.

Through arduous means

Emphasizes the strenuous nature of the methods employed.

By challenging methods

Underlines that the process requires effort to overcome challenges.

Using problematic steps

Highlights the problem-causing nature of specific actions taken.

In a strenuous fashion

Focuses on the vigorous effort exerted during execution.

Via a thorny route

Illustrates the presence of obstacles and difficulties encountered.

With significant obstacles

Highlights the presence of substantial impediments throughout the process.

By demanding processes

Stresses the high requirements and expectations of the actions involved.

In a grinding fashion

Emphasizes the laborious and potentially demoralizing nature of the method.

FAQs

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

Use "in a difficult way" to describe how something is done with challenges or complications. For example, "He approached the task "in a difficult way", making it take longer than necessary."

What are some alternatives to "in a difficult way"?

Alternatives include "with considerable difficulty", "in a complicated manner", or "through arduous means" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "in a difficult way"?

Yes, "in a difficult way" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe a challenging or complicated method of doing something. It is perfectly acceptable in both written and spoken English.

What is the difference between "in a difficult way" and "with difficulty"?

"In a difficult way" describes the manner in which something is done, emphasizing the challenging process, while "with difficulty" focuses more on the degree of effort required. For example, "He completed the task "in a difficult way"" highlights the challenging method; "He completed the task with difficulty" emphasizes the effort he exerted.