a difficult campaign

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a difficult campaign" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a challenging effort or initiative, often in a political, marketing, or project context. Example: "The team faced a difficult campaign to raise awareness about climate change in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It was a difficult campaign.

The Guardian

Labour had a difficult campaign.

Independent

But it proved to be a difficult campaign.

The New York Times

He was not afraid to run a difficult campaign".

The New York Times - Magazine

"It's been a difficult campaign in terms of injuries and absentees on Test duties.

Independent

And I don't have to tell you that this hasn't been a difficult campaign.

The New York Times

They could well end up holding three seats despite a difficult campaign.

The Guardian

Indeed, pleasant though he is, Lazio has not hesitated to run a "difficult" campaign against Clinton.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

"It's going to be a very difficult campaign," a Giuliani adviser said.

The New York Times

"This will be a long, difficult campaign," said a joint statement from Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz).

Los Angeles Times

That was surely more palatable for Mr. Pataki than confronting head-on what 2002 holds for him: a potentially difficult campaign, with an economy and state finances rocked by recession and terrorism.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a difficult campaign", ensure you clearly articulate the specific challenges that make the campaign difficult. Providing context enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a difficult campaign" as a generic descriptor. Instead, specify what makes the campaign difficult (e.g., lack of resources, strong opposition, complex messaging) to provide more meaningful insight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a difficult campaign" functions as a noun phrase, where "difficult" modifies the noun "campaign". It serves to describe the nature of the campaign as being challenging or problematic. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a difficult campaign" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an effort facing significant challenges. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and politics, as it helps to convey the nature of the campaign as being challenging or problematic. When using this phrase, be specific about the challenges involved to add depth and clarity. Alternatives like "a challenging campaign" or "a tough campaign" can be used for variety, but the core meaning remains consistent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging campaign

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging", emphasizing the demanding nature of the campaign.

a tough campaign

Substitutes "difficult" with "tough", highlighting the resilience required to succeed.

an arduous campaign

Uses "arduous" instead of "difficult", stressing the effort and labor involved.

a trying campaign

Replaces "difficult" with "trying", focusing on the stressful aspects of the campaign.

a demanding campaign

Substitutes "difficult" with "demanding", underlining the high requirements of the campaign.

a grueling campaign

Uses "grueling" instead of "difficult", emphasizing the exhausting nature of the campaign.

a problematic campaign

Replaces "difficult" with "problematic", pointing out the issues and obstacles faced.

a complex campaign

Substitutes "difficult" with "complex", highlighting the intricate nature of the campaign.

a struggling campaign

Uses "struggling" instead of "difficult", focusing on the lack of progress and challenges faced.

a taxing campaign

Replaces "difficult" with "taxing", emphasizing the draining effect of the campaign.

FAQs

What does "a difficult campaign" mean?

The phrase "a difficult campaign" refers to an effort or initiative, often in politics, sports, or business, that faces significant challenges and obstacles. It implies that success will require considerable effort and resilience.

What are some alternatives to saying "a difficult campaign"?

You can use alternatives like "a challenging campaign", "a tough campaign", or "an arduous campaign" depending on the context.

How do you use "a difficult campaign" in a sentence?

You might say, "Despite the obstacles, the candidate ran a difficult campaign focused on grassroots support." This shows the campaign faced challenges but continued with a specific strategy.

Is it better to say "a challenging campaign" or "a difficult campaign"?

Both phrases are acceptable and often interchangeable. "Challenging" emphasizes the demanding nature, while "difficult" highlights the obstacles and hardships. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.