a big difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a big difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant challenge or obstacle one is facing in a particular situation. Example: "The project faced a big difficulty when the main supplier went out of business unexpectedly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

That was a big difficulty".

The New York Times - Science

That reflects a big difficulty in e-government (and in writing about it): it touches on so many other things.

The Economist

Almost all in-patients were admitted voluntarily.High drop-out rates are a big difficulty in treating crack patients.

The Economist

"They just have the idea of having fun, making joy, and so that's a big difficulty," Ms. Focke said.

The New York Times

When I'm in a time of need, when there's a big difficulty in my life, I'll sell it and I'll use the money".

The Guardian

A big difficulty for schools is that the subject is taught by teachers from different disciplines, so suddenly a maths teacher might find themselves handling a debate on terrorism.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Besides, the electrogenerated films are oxidized with a biggest difficulty than chitin.

Electrochimica Acta

A bigger difficulty is delivering basic education to the villages, to equip potential workers with the elementary literacy and other skills needed to leave the land.

The Economist

Rob Lynam, the head of press trading at the media buying and planning agency Mediaedge:cia, says that while Front's circulation is a problem, a bigger difficulty is the sector's slide into irrelevance.

The Guardian

But as well as the more clueless aspects of their tactics (witness Unison's Dave Prentis making a deeply clever appeal to middle Britain by citing such great popular touchstones as the general strike of 1926), the unions are held back by a bigger difficulty: the failure of the watershed moment into which we're being pushed to find any expression in the wider culture.

The Guardian - Opinion

The ISI's field officers, out in the hills of Pakistani Kashmir, may not be as willing as the general is said to be to end the bleeding of India.But a bigger difficulty is that the militants themselves are not fully under the control of even the ISI.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a big difficulty", ensure the context clearly establishes what specific problem or challenge you are referring to. Provide details for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a big difficulty" when a smaller, more manageable issue is present. Exaggerating the problem can diminish the impact when real significant difficulties arise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big difficulty" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a significant problem or challenge. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a big difficulty" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, employed to denote a significant challenge or problem. While not overly formal, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for various contexts, particularly news and media. Alternatives like "a major challenge" or "a significant obstacle" can offer nuanced emphasis, and it's crucial to provide context to clarify the specific difficulty being addressed. Avoid exaggerating its use to maintain credibility and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major challenge

Replaces "difficulty" with a more empowering term, "challenge", suggesting an opportunity for growth.

a significant obstacle

Substitutes "difficulty" with "obstacle", highlighting the hindering aspect of the problem.

a considerable problem

Replaces "difficulty" with "problem", focusing on the problematic aspect of the situation.

a serious impediment

Uses "impediment" for a more formal and impactful way of saying "difficulty".

a substantial setback

Emphasizes the hindering progress or achievement caused by the "difficulty".

a tough situation

Offers a more general and less formal way to describe a "difficulty".

a grave issue

Highlights the severity and importance of the "difficulty" by using the word "grave".

a major stumbling block

Indicates something that prevents progress or success, like a significant hurdle.

a critical challenge

Emphasizes the importance of the "difficulty" as a key aspect that needs addressing.

a thorny issue

Suggests a complex and potentially problematic situation that is hard to resolve.

FAQs

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

You can use "a big difficulty" to describe a significant challenge or problem. For example, "The company faced "a big difficulty" when the new regulations were introduced".

What are some alternatives to "a big difficulty"?

Alternatives include "a major challenge", "a significant obstacle", or "a considerable problem", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a big difficulty" in formal writing?

Yes, "a big difficulty" is acceptable in formal writing, but consider using more precise or impactful synonyms like "a serious impediment" or "a substantial setback" for a stronger effect.

What's the difference between "a big difficulty" and "a minor difficulty"?

"A big difficulty" implies a significant obstacle or problem that requires substantial effort to overcome, whereas "a minor difficulty" refers to a smaller, less impactful issue that is easier to resolve.