a common difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a common difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a challenge or problem that many people experience or encounter. Example: "One of the most significant barriers to learning a new language is a common difficulty with pronunciation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

You can't figure out what his ballets are about — a common difficulty with beginners.

The New Yorker

He was having trouble hearing, a common difficulty of bombing victims.

The New York Times

A common difficulty is that men can get an erection but cannot hold it long enough to have sex.

Independent

A common difficulty of the biographer of a thinker -- the absence of dramatic adventures away from the lecture hall or writing table -- turns into an advantage.

The New York Times - Books

Though all were powerful, they faced a common difficulty: How to theatricalize in one gesture both individual devastation and collective disaster.

The New York Times

They're different ages, have different backgrounds, different everything, but are bound by a common difficulty, which Wearing intends to help them overcome.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Newell has also been grappling with its dwindling influence over what large retailers like Wal-Mart charge for its products, an increasingly common difficulty for consumer products companies that rely on routine price increases for growth.

The New York Times

This is an important issue and common difficulty with revolving funds for veterinary drugs and medicines in donor supported projects.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

A second issue raised in this paper is the common difficulty in deciding whether a given item corresponds to a participant role or a circumstance type.

Functional Linguistics

The common difficulty of giving a credible account of a marriage surely has something to do with why marriages themselves come apart.

The New Yorker

One common difficulty is a stomach filled with gas (Fig. 3).

Insights into Imaging

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a common difficulty", ensure the context clearly identifies who experiences the difficulty and in what area. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that because a difficulty is common in one context, it applies universally. Specify the group or situation to which the difficulty is common to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common difficulty" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It serves to identify a problem or challenge that is widely experienced, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a common difficulty" is a versatile phrase used to identify widely experienced problems or challenges. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for a range of contexts, particularly in scientific and news-related discussions. To use the phrase effectively, ensure you clearly define who experiences the difficulty and the specific context in which it occurs. While "a common difficulty" is generally safe to use, be mindful of potential overgeneralizations and adapt the phrasing to maintain accuracy. Consider alternatives like "a widespread problem" or "a frequent challenge" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a widespread problem

Focuses on the broad reach of the issue.

a frequent challenge

Emphasizes the recurring nature of the obstacle.

a prevalent issue

Highlights the widespread existence of the problem.

a typical struggle

Suggests the difficulty is representative of a larger pattern.

a general obstacle

Indicates the impediment is faced broadly.

a shared concern

Highlights that the difficulty is felt by multiple parties.

a recurring snag

Implies a repetitive and frustrating problem.

a familiar pitfall

Indicates a commonly made mistake or error.

an ordinary setback

Presents the difficulty as a routine impediment.

a routine hurdle

Suggests the difficulty is a standard part of a process.

FAQs

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

You can use "a common difficulty" to describe a problem that many people experience. For example, "A common difficulty is prioritizing tasks when everything feels urgent."

What's a more formal way to say "a common difficulty"?

A more formal alternative would be "a prevalent issue" or "a widespread problem", which suggests a problem affecting many people or things.

Which is correct, "a common difficulty" or "the common difficulty"?

"A common difficulty" is used to refer to one of many difficulties that are common. "The common difficulty" implies there's a single, specific difficulty that is generally known or understood within a specific context.

What can I say instead of "a common difficulty" to emphasize a challenge?

You could use alternatives like "a frequent challenge" or "a typical struggle", which highlight the effort required to overcome the problem.