a difficult hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a difficult hour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a challenging or trying period of time, often in a personal or emotional context. Example: "After receiving the news, it was truly a difficult hour for her as she processed her feelings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The decision sounded at times like a plea to support the endangered institution at a difficult hour.

The New York Times

It was unusual to see Sadio Mané make such little impact and Daniel Sturridge was substituted after a difficult hour.

The Guardian - Sport

He called the tragedy "one of the worst train accidents of recent years" and said it was a "difficult hour in the history of German train travel".

The Guardian

"This is a difficult hour for all of us, especially those of us who know the president and respect his tremendous contribution to the state," said Prime Minister Ehud Barak.

The New York Times

It well may be that in a difficult hour, Pinned down by pain and moaning for release, Or nagged by want past resolution's power, I might be driven to sell your love for peace, Or trade the memory of this night for food.

The New York Times - Books

While it is a difficult hour for Obama, his poll numbers make him look like Mount Rushmore compared to those of House Republicans, who are so unpopular they could be swept aside in a landslide.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"It is a challenge and a very difficult hour for Nepal".

The Guardian

"I've got no doubt that he's going to experience a few difficult hours now because he's a competitive guy, but this is what is beautiful about football.

The New York Times - Sports

In the Euro crisis, which Angel Merkel describes as Europe's most difficult hour since World War II, America definitely has a substantial amount of skin in the game.

Huffington Post

Israel declared a national day of mourning in solidarity with the U.S. "At this most difficult hour," Sharon said last night, "all Israelis stand as one with the American people.

Forbes

"We will stand with you in this difficult hour, and we stand with you always," Mrs. Clinton said during a four-hour stop in Seoul.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a difficult hour" to describe a specific, limited period of hardship or crisis, often in situations requiring empathy or support. For example, "This is a difficult hour for the family after their loss."

Common error

Avoid using "a difficult hour" for minor inconveniences. The phrase carries a weight of seriousness and is best reserved for situations of genuine hardship or crisis. Using it casually can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a difficult hour" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as an adverbial of time. It describes a specific period characterized by hardship or adversity, often used to express empathy or solidarity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a difficult hour" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a short period marked by hardship or crisis. It is found most frequently in news and media contexts, serving to convey empathy or express concern. While versatile, it's important to reserve its use for situations of genuine difficulty to maintain its impact. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and appropriateness of this phrase, while offering alternatives like "a challenging time" or "a tough period" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging time

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging", maintaining the sense of hardship but softening the tone slightly.

a hard time

Uses simpler vocabulary to express a similar meaning of experiencing hardship.

a tough period

Substitutes "difficult hour" with "tough period", emphasizing a longer duration of hardship.

a period of adversity

Highlights the unfavorable and challenging conditions experienced.

a trying moment

Replaces both "difficult" and "hour" to convey the sense of a testing or straining experience.

a moment of crisis

Suggests a severe and unstable situation requiring immediate attention.

a troublesome phase

Emphasizes the problematic nature of the time and suggests it is part of a larger sequence.

a critical juncture

Shifts the focus to the importance and decisiveness of the moment, rather than just its difficulty.

a testing ordeal

Implies a more severe and prolonged experience of difficulty.

a problematic situation

Focuses on the problematic nature of the circumstances during that specific time.

FAQs

How can I use "a difficult hour" in a sentence?

You can use "a difficult hour" to describe a challenging or trying period of time. For example: "This is "a difficult hour" for the company as they navigate the economic downturn."

What's the difference between "a difficult hour" and "a difficult time"?

"A difficult hour" refers to a specific, limited period of hardship, while "a difficult time" generally refers to a longer or more indefinite period. Therefore, "a difficult hour" highlights a moment, while "a difficult time" suggests a phase.

What can I say instead of "a difficult hour"?

You can use alternatives like "a challenging time", "a tough period", or "a trying moment" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "a difficult hour" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a difficult hour" might sound slightly informal for highly academic or scientific writing. In those contexts, consider more precise language that specifies the nature of the difficulty, unless the emotional impact is crucial to convey.