Major difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Major difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant challenge or obstacle in various contexts, such as academic, professional, or personal situations. Example: "The team faced a major difficulty in meeting the project deadline due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Major difficulty in development of dengue diagnostics is availability of suitable antigens.

Biologicals

Major difficulty in solving this problem is caused by the not freely changed shape of components.

Computer-Aided Design

Major difficulty in using QDs in vivo is their unknown potential toxicity.

BMC Cancer

Lighting is a major difficulty.

The New Yorker

But there will be one major difficulty.

The Guardian

One major difficulty they cite is the lack of financing.

The New York Times

It just feels like a major difficulty in life".

The New York Times - Arts

The other major difficulty comes in the type of music with which NME has become associated.

The Guardian

It gets messy towards the end, where Cusk overcomplicates the plot and ducks a major difficulty.

The Guardian

Another major difficulty for digital books is how to price them.

The Guardian - Books

In my view, the major difficulty we have today with Strindberg is his difficulty.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "major difficulty", provide context to explain why the difficulty is considered major. Detailing the impact or consequences helps the audience understand the scope and significance of the issue.

Common error

Avoid using "major difficulty" to describe minor inconveniences or trivial problems. This can diminish the impact of the phrase and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major difficulty" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. Ludwig examples demonstrate its role in identifying a significant problem or obstacle. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "major difficulty" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a significant obstacle or challenge. As Ludwig examples show, it appears frequently in diverse contexts, including scientific research, news reporting, and formal business communications. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is usable in written English. When using "major difficulty", it is important to provide context and avoid overstating minor issues. Alternatives such as "significant challenge" or "serious obstacle" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Significant challenge

Focuses on the demanding aspect of the difficulty.

Serious obstacle

Highlights the hindering nature of the difficulty.

Key problem

Emphasizes the importance of the difficulty as a central issue.

Main hurdle

Suggests a barrier that needs to be overcome.

Primary concern

Focuses on the difficulty as a source of worry or attention.

Principal issue

Indicates a leading or fundamental difficulty.

Severe impediment

Emphasizes the obstructing nature and intensity of the difficulty.

Considerable adversity

Highlights the hardship and resistance caused by the difficulty.

Substantial setback

Focuses on the difficulty as a cause for delay or regression.

Formidable challenge

Stresses the difficulty's imposing and daunting nature.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "major difficulty"?

You can use alternatives like "significant challenge", "serious obstacle", or "key problem" depending on the context.

How can I use "major difficulty" in a sentence?

Use "major difficulty" to identify a substantial problem or obstacle. For example: "A major difficulty in the project was securing funding".

Is "major difficulty" formal or informal?

"Major difficulty" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is often used in professional, academic, or news-related writing.

What makes a difficulty "major"?

A difficulty is considered "major" when it significantly impacts progress, outcomes, or goals, and requires substantial resources or effort to overcome.