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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
a difficulty occurs
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "a difficulty occurs" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a problem or challenge arises unexpectedly. Example: "When a difficulty occurs during the project, we must quickly assess the situation and find a solution."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Alternative expressions(20)
a problem arises
an issue emerges
a snag develops
complications ensue
a disadvantage arises
a complication unfolds
an obstacle surfaces
a problem explains
an issue needs
a problem demonstrates
an issue arises
a problem has arisen
a problem occurs
a concern emerges
an issue occurs
a difficulty emerges
a dilemma arises
a difficulty arises
a problem emerges
an issue exists
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
But at this stage, a difficulty occurs: the extremals for (mu _{gamma,s}(mathbb {R}^n_+)) are not explicit, and therefore the coefficients that appear in the estimate of (J^Omega _{gamma, s}) at the bubbles are not explicit enough.
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
I cannot say it half as well as he did, but suddenly when he had spoken this, a difficulty occurred to him, and with a moving gesture at Weber, Quidde and the other professors standing on the stage beside him, he went on: "Here, these professor chaps, they know French, they'll help us say it right, as we mean it".
News & Media
A typical difficulty occurs in proving the existence of solutions.
Science
A common difficulty occurs when the closing wedge cuts are not parallel with the long axis of the bone, ultimately leading to the generation of a shear force when the opposing sides are compressed.
A second difficulty occurs when subjects stop focussing their eyes on the same point in depth.
Science
They propose that conceptual processing results in visuo-spatial images being activated and when a word-finding difficulty occurs, a new set of visuo-spatial images are activated reflecting the new search.
Science
While the gestures produced during word-finding difficulties have a lexical origin, Hadar and Butterworth (1997) proposed that when a word-finding difficulty occurs, there is a new search for the target word or an alternative word.
Science
Whilst task allocation for an individual agent is relatively simple, the difficulty occurs when a decentralised algorithm is used for consensus between all agents.
Science
The adjustment of difficulty occurs automatically in response to a game's ongoing assessment of a player's performance.
Science
More significant, the difficulty occurs because the idea of an advertising marketplace is fundamentally an oxymoron, said Jim Nail, an analyst with Forrester Research in Cambridge, Mass., who specializes in online marketing and advertising.
News & Media
This difficulty occurs because while vaccination has been an effective method against 60to90%0% of seasonal strains [ 17], it has not been effective against pandemic viruses [ 18].
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
While grammatically correct, consider whether a simpler or more common phrase like "a problem arises" might be more effective for your audience. "A difficulty occurs" can sometimes sound overly formal or stilted.
Common error
Avoid using "a difficulty occurs" in casual contexts. Opt for more natural alternatives such as "a problem came up" or "we ran into an issue" to maintain a conversational tone.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "a difficulty occurs" functions as a statement that a problem or challenge has arisen. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and serves to introduce the presence of an impediment.
Frequent in
Science
76%
News & Media
18%
Encyclopedias
2%
Less common in
Formal & Business
2%
Reference
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "a difficulty occurs" is a grammatically correct way to indicate that a problem or challenge has arisen. Ludwig AI validates its correctness. While versatile, its formality might make it less suitable for casual settings where simpler alternatives, such as "a problem arises", are preferred. Predominantly used in scientific and news contexts, the phrase serves to objectively introduce the presence of an impediment, setting the stage for further analysis and resolution. Therefore, choose this phrase when a formal and measured tone is desired, particularly in writing.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
a problem arises
Replaces "difficulty" with the more common "problem" and "occurs" with "arises", simplifying the language.
an issue emerges
Substitutes "difficulty" with "issue" and "occurs" with "emerges", providing a slightly more formal tone.
an obstacle emerges
Replaces difficulty with "obstacle" focusing on something that blocks progress
a challenge presents itself
Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the active nature of the challenge appearing.
a hurdle arises
Emphasizes the obstacle-like nature of the difficulty.
a snag develops
Uses the informal term "snag" to indicate a minor difficulty.
a setback happens
Uses "setback" to highlight the hindering aspect of the difficulty.
a hitch develops
Uses another informal term, "hitch," similar to "snag," for a minor issue.
complications ensue
Employs a more formal and somewhat dramatic tone to suggest that difficulties follow.
a predicament arises
Suggests a more serious and perplexing type of difficulty.
FAQs
What does "a difficulty occurs" mean?
The phrase "a difficulty occurs" means that a problem, obstacle, or challenge arises or happens. It indicates that something is preventing progress or causing trouble.
What can I say instead of "a difficulty occurs"?
You can use alternatives like "a problem arises", "an issue emerges", or "a challenge presents itself" depending on the context and desired level of formality.
Is it better to say "a difficulty occurs" or "a problem occurs"?
While both are grammatically correct, "a problem occurs" is generally more common and less formal. "A difficulty occurs" might be suitable in more formal or academic writing, but "a problem occurs" is usually preferred for everyday communication.
In what situations is "a difficulty occurs" most appropriate?
"A difficulty occurs" is most appropriate in formal writing, academic papers, or technical reports where a more precise and less colloquial tone is desired. However, in casual conversation or less formal writing, simpler alternatives are often preferred.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested