a certain difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a certain difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific but not precisely defined level of difficulty in a situation or task. Example: "The project presented a certain difficulty that required additional resources to overcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"There may be a certain difficulty in squaring his original position that he sincerely believed in his recommendations with the contention that pressure from colleagues may have unduly influenced his conclusions," said Lewis D. Lowenfels, a specialist in securities law at Tolins & Lowenfels in New York.

The New York Times

Everyone has a certain difficulty in growing up, even my children, although I've been a good mother.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Hard though it may seem, there is a certain difficulty in accepting Reina's thesis that he had deserved a lot better than this.

Independent

"Everyone has a certain difficulty in growing up, even my children, although I've been a good mother," she told The Australian Financial Review in 2010.

The New York Times - Books

And, pulling up her legs so that she is almost kneeling on the seat, she reaches awkwardly over the gearbox and with a certain difficulty puts her arms around him.

The New Yorker

In this context, we should point out that comprehensive study of Albo's writing on this issue reveals a certain difficulty in categorizing his exact position.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"While many people understood the concept of roulette, where sometimes you can lose the game – due to randomness, over time it became a major bottleneck in further development of the service, because of a certain difficulties with raising venture capital, legally operating on the United States territory and having to deal with negative feedback".

TechCrunch

If you are wearing light colored trousers- a lap full could present certain difficulty!

Forbes

There is a certain initial difficulty in answering such questions.

SEP

This brings certain difficulty to the autopilot design and stability analysis.

Defence Technology

To a certain extent, difficulties collecting the caller information can be mitigated by the experience of the call taker, but nevertheless some interventions are performed based on incomplete or erroneous information.

Open Geospatial Data, Software and Standards

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone and context of your writing. While "a certain difficulty" is generally acceptable, more formal or specific alternatives might be preferable in academic or technical writing.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on vague phrases like "a certain difficulty" without providing any further context. Overuse can make your writing sound evasive or unclear. Strive for a balance between generality and specificity to maintain clarity and engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain difficulty" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it points to a specific challenge or problem without explicitly defining it. For example, "There may be a certain difficulty in squaring his original position…"

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a certain difficulty" is a grammatically correct and relatively common expression used to acknowledge a challenge or problem without being overly specific. As Ludwig AI shows, its neutral tone makes it suitable for a range of contexts, from news and media to scientific discussions. When writing, be mindful of overuse and strive for a balance between generality and specificity to ensure clarity. While versatile, consider more formal or specific alternatives depending on the nature of your writing. Remember to provide context, as much as possible, to the reader to understand the nature and scope of the difficulty, that's something the AI called Ludwig recommends as a writing best practice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a particular challenge

Emphasizes the specific and distinct nature of the difficulty.

some challenges

More general and less precise than "a certain difficulty".

a specific problem

Focuses on the problematic aspect of the difficulty.

some obstacles

Highlights the obstructive nature of the difficulty.

a degree of complexity

Emphasizes the intricate nature of the difficulty.

a level of adversity

Focuses on the hardship associated with the difficulty.

a hurdle to overcome

Presents the difficulty as something that needs to be surpassed.

a tough situation

More informal way to express the difficulty.

a complicated matter

Highlights the intricacy and involved nature of the difficulty.

a predicament

Emphasizes the troubling or delicate nature of the difficulty.

FAQs

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

You can use "a certain difficulty" to refer to a challenge or problem without being too specific. For example, "The project presented "a certain difficulty" that required additional resources".

What are some alternatives to "a certain difficulty"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a particular challenge", "some obstacles", or "a degree of complexity".

Is it better to be specific instead of saying "a certain difficulty"?

It depends on the context. If you want to avoid being overly specific, "a certain difficulty" can be useful. However, providing more detail can enhance clarity and impact. Consider your audience and the purpose of your writing.

How does the formality of "a certain difficulty" compare to its alternatives?

"A certain difficulty" is relatively neutral in tone. Alternatives like "a tough situation" are more informal, while phrases like "a level of adversity" are more formal.