a difficult period for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a difficult period for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a challenging time experienced by a person, group, or organization. Example: "The company faced a difficult period for several months due to the economic downturn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

This was a difficult period for Jansch.

The Guardian - Music

"It's a difficult period for him," one friend said.

The New York Times

This was a difficult period for Ms. Jordan.

The New York Times

"It's a difficult period for business generally," Mr. Greenberg said.

The New York Times

"Stuart is a young coach and this is obviously a difficult period for him," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

It was a difficult period for her children; the youngest was still a toddler.

The New Yorker

But as part of the team, Rosberg has seen through a difficult period for Mercedes.

The Guardian - Sport

The spokesman, Frank De Rosa, acknowledged that it was a difficult period for the bishop.

The New York Times

"The march to war was a difficult period for our economy," he said.

The New York Times

The turbulent 1990s were a difficult period for most Russian writers and poets.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But the progress comes after a difficult period for the Chinese Internet tycoon, Bloomberg Businessweek writes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a difficult period for", ensure that the context clearly identifies who or what is experiencing the difficulty. Provide specific details about the challenges faced during this time to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid vague or generalized use of "a difficult period for". Always specify the reasons why the period was difficult and for whom or what it was challenging. For instance, instead of saying "It was a difficult period for the company", specify "It was a difficult period for the company due to declining sales and increased competition".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a difficult period for" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically acting as an adjective modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates a challenging or problematic time experienced by someone or something. Ludwig confirms that this usage is grammatically sound and prevalent across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a difficult period for" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe challenging times, as verified by Ludwig. It is grammatically correct and appears frequently in various contexts, especially in news and media. The phrase functions descriptively, conveying that a specific time frame was marked by hardships or adversity. Ludwig examples show that while it's suitable for formal writing, being more specific about the reasons and those affected would enhance its impact. Alternatives include "a challenging time for" and "a tough time for".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging time for

Replaces "difficult period" with "challenging time", emphasizing the demanding nature of the situation.

a tough time for

Substitutes "difficult period" with "tough time", indicating hardship or adversity.

a hard time for

Uses "hard time" instead of "difficult period", suggesting a struggle or hardship.

a trying time for

Replaces "difficult period" with "trying time", highlighting the stressful aspect of the situation.

a stressful time for

Changes "difficult period" to "stressful time", highlighting the anxiety and pressure involved.

a period of hardship for

Replaces "difficult period" with "a period of hardship", focusing on the suffering and deprivation involved.

a period of adversity for

Changes "difficult period" to "a period of adversity", emphasizing challenging circumstances.

a problematic phase for

Changes "difficult period" to "problematic phase", focusing on the troublesome nature of the era.

a rough patch for

Substitutes "difficult period" with "rough patch", indicating a temporary but unpleasant situation.

an ordeal for

Replaces "difficult period" with "an ordeal", emphasizing a painful or horrific experience.

FAQs

How can I use "a difficult period for" in a sentence?

You can use "a difficult period for" to describe a challenging or troublesome time for someone or something. For example, "The recession was a difficult period for small businesses".

What are some alternatives to "a difficult period for"?

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

Is it appropriate to use "a difficult period for" in formal writing?

Yes, "a difficult period for" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a neutral and widely understood phrase that can be used in various contexts, as shown in the examples from news and media sources.

What makes a period "difficult"?

A period can be described as "difficult" when it involves challenges, hardships, or problems that cause stress or require significant effort to overcome. Examples include economic downturns, personal struggles, or organizational crises.