a difficulty emerges

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a difficulty emerges" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where a problem or challenge becomes apparent or arises. Example: "As the project progressed, a difficulty emerges that required immediate attention from the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

If a difficulty emerges after years of developing and testing a new pill, as with Merck's Vioxx, there may be little they can do about it.

The Economist

Immediately a difficulty emerges.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A similar difficulty emerges when one imagines cases in which many people are unavoidably over the sufficiency level, but with a resource infusion their lives will be vastly improved, and in which the same resources could instead be used to prevent a single person now just above sufficiency from falling a hair beneath this line.

SEP

Part of the difficulty emerges from the fact that the logical consequences of a non-trivial group of axioms are often not transparent: significant work is required to establish such consequences.

SEP

Perhaps because they are older and more cynical, European societies seem to bask in a "collective moroseness" from which they have difficulty emerging.

The Guardian - Opinion

But another difficulty emerged.

The Guardian

The story he tells, though it has some difficulty emerging from his tangled exposition, is meant to shock and appal.

The Guardian - Books

It was the strong version that was used in his discussion of the meaning of sentences about the past and other minds, but in his discussion of the latter another difficulty emerged.

SEP

This would help the students to understand and solve the difficulty emerging from this research about linking biological evolution to the cultural progress of Homo sapiens;   4) specific mention at the institutional level should be given to the contents of science textbooks.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

As more and more difficulty emerged in his life he gradually became dependent on these drugs and his health deteriorated.

Wikipedia

Financial difficulty emerged as the major issue among women who did not fulfil the minimum requirements of four antenatal care services or two postnatal care services within the first month after delivery.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a difficulty emerges" when you want to formally introduce a problem or challenge that is becoming apparent. It suggests a more gradual or subtle appearance of the difficulty.

Common error

Avoid using "a difficulty emerges" in informal contexts. Simpler alternatives like "a problem comes up" or "an issue arises" may be more appropriate for everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a difficulty emerges" functions as an introductory statement to indicate the appearance of a problem or challenge. It is often used to set the stage for further explanation or analysis, signaling that an obstacle has arisen. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase introduces complications in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a difficulty emerges" is a grammatically correct way to introduce a problem or challenge that is becoming apparent, according to Ludwig AI. While not very common, it is best suited for formal contexts such as academic papers, scientific reports, or business communications. It signals a subtle or gradual appearance of an obstacle that requires attention. Simpler, more common alternatives include "a problem arises" or "an issue surfaces". Ludwig shows that its usage spans science and news domains, suggesting versatility across different formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a problem arises

Replaces "difficulty" with the more common "problem" and uses "arises" to convey the emergence.

an obstacle arises

Similar to "a problem arises" but uses "obstacle" to emphasize something that blocks progress.

an issue surfaces

Substitutes "difficulty" with "issue" and "emerges" with "surfaces", both indicating the appearance of a problem.

a complication arises

Replaces "difficulty" with "complication", implying a more complex problem.

a snag develops

Uses "snag" to replace "difficulty", indicating a minor problem, and "develops" to suggest its gradual appearance.

a hitch develops

Synonymous with "a snag develops", indicating a minor issue that arises.

a challenge presents itself

Replaces "difficulty" with "challenge" and uses "presents itself" to emphasize the unexpected appearance of the challenge.

a setback occurs

Uses "setback" to indicate a problem that delays progress, and "occurs" to denote its happening.

a hurdle appears

Substitutes "difficulty" with "hurdle", a metaphor for an obstacle, and "appears" to convey its emergence.

a stumbling block surfaces

Uses "stumbling block" as a synonym for difficulty and "surfaces" to indicate its appearance.

FAQs

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

You can use "a difficulty emerges" to introduce a problem that is becoming apparent. For example, "As the project progressed, "a difficulty emerges" that requires immediate attention." Consider alternatives like "a problem arises" if the context is less formal.

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

More common alternatives include "a problem arises", "an issue surfaces", or "a challenge appears". These options are less formal and more widely used in everyday language.

When is it appropriate to use "a difficulty emerges"?

"A difficulty emerges" is suitable for formal writing or speech where you want to introduce a problem in a thoughtful, slightly understated way. It's often used in academic, scientific, or business contexts.

What is the difference between "a difficulty emerges" and "a difficulty occurs"?

While both phrases indicate a problem, ""a difficulty emerges"" suggests the problem is becoming gradually apparent, whereas "a difficulty occurs" implies a more sudden or distinct event. The choice depends on how the problem manifests itself.