Ran into a difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Ran into a difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an unexpected problem or obstacle encountered while trying to accomplish something. Example: "While working on the project, I ran into a difficulty that delayed our progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

At this point, my piece runs into a difficulty.

The Guardian - Opinion

In describing the field of philosophy, and in particular the sub-field of philosophy of education, one quickly runs into a difficulty not found to anything like the same degree in other disciplines.

SEP

I say this repeatedly to my clients as well, when we run into a difficulty.

Huffington Post

Earlier this year, when Hill was trying to open a new abortion clinic in Jackson, Mississippi, she ran into a few difficulties.

The New Yorker

Getting in was easy enough, but after that I ran into a few difficulties.

Vice

But it immediately ran into a thicket of operational difficulties as well as tenacious American competition from United Parcel Service and FedEx.

The New York Times

Patio seems to have run into a category difficulty: when, for example, is a patio a terrace?

Independent

Yet when I and my students try to present this work, we often run into a surprising difficulty: theorists get very upset about the dynamics.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Instead, he lets them take the reins, merely providing advice and small amounts of capital (between $250,000 and $2.5 million) when they need a bit of help expanding, or when they run into a temporary difficulty.

Forbes

Valence bond theory runs into an apparent difficulty with CH4.

Encyclopedia Britannica

ROME — Rescue teams on Friday were searching the waters off a southern Italian islet for survivors of a boat loaded with migrants that apparently ran into difficulties a day earlier while crossing from Africa.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the specific nature and impact of the difficulty when choosing an alternative phrase. For example, use "experienced a setback" if you want to emphasize the delay caused by the problem.

Common error

While "Ran into a difficulty" is a useful phrase, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "encountered a problem" or "faced an obstacle".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Ran into a difficulty" functions as a predicate in a sentence, describing an event or experience of encountering an unexpected obstacle. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and usable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Ran into a difficulty" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe encountering an unexpected problem or obstacle. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While it is suitable for various contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Science, more formal alternatives like "encountered a problem" may be preferred in academic or scientific writing. Be mindful of overuse and consider varying your language with synonyms like "faced an obstacle" to maintain clarity and engagement. Remember to tailor your choice of words to the specific nature and impact of the difficulty being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Encountered a problem

This alternative uses more formal language, replacing "ran into" with "encountered" and "difficulty" with "problem".

Faced an obstacle

This phrase emphasizes the challenge presented by the difficulty, using "obstacle" to highlight the impediment.

Met with complications

This alternative is more formal and suggests a complex or intricate difficulty.

Experienced a setback

This phrase focuses on the negative impact of the difficulty, highlighting the delay or reversal in progress.

Hit a snag

This idiom is more informal and suggests a minor, unexpected difficulty.

Stumbled upon a hurdle

This alternative uses figurative language, comparing the difficulty to a "hurdle" that needs to be overcome.

Had trouble with

This is a more general phrase that can be used to describe a wide range of difficulties.

Struggled with a challenge

This alternative emphasizes the effort required to overcome the difficulty, using "struggled" to highlight the exertion.

Was hampered by a problem

This alternative suggests that the difficulty hindered or impeded progress.

Grappled with an issue

This alternative indicates a more serious and sustained effort to resolve the difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "Ran into a difficulty" in a sentence?

"Ran into a difficulty" is used to describe encountering an unexpected problem or obstacle. Example: "While working on the project, we ran into a difficulty that delayed our progress."

What can I say instead of "Ran into a difficulty"?

You can use alternatives like "encountered a problem", "faced an obstacle", or "met with complications" depending on the context.

Is "Ran into a difficulty" formal or informal?

"Ran into a difficulty" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for more formal writing, consider using "encountered a problem".

What's the difference between "Ran into a difficulty" and "Had a problem"?

"Ran into a difficulty" suggests an unexpected or unforeseen issue, while "Had a problem" is a more general statement. The former implies a surprising encounter, the latter simply indicates the presence of an issue.