a fundamental difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fundamental difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a core or essential challenge or problem in a particular context. Example: "The team faced a fundamental difficulty in aligning their goals with the company's vision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Marion Elizabeth Rodgers has a fundamental difficulty.

The Guardian - Books

William Easterly, the economist, pointed to a fundamental difficulty with P.I.H.'s approach.

The New Yorker

• To the Editor: David Leonhardt's article promoting "real choice" in health insurance alludes to a fundamental difficulty with this approach.

The New York Times

But a fundamental difficulty with Ripa, as with the Data Protection Act, is that it is difficult to detect when abuses are taking place.

The Guardian - Opinion

As the stellar core continues to shrink and the central temperature and density are forced even higher, a fundamental difficulty is soon reached.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Technology can't solve the problem, just lower the probability of accidents," explains John Stewart, the chief security officer of Cisco, a maker of networking equipment.Other experts point out that companies face a fundamental difficulty.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

"I don't happen to be one myself, but maybe that's just more a matter of my family background than that there's any fundamental difficulty about reconciling the two".

The Guardian

He said he was not religious, but added that "maybe that's just more a matter of my family background than that there's any fundamental difficulty about reconciling the two".

BBC

However, the effort expended thus far has not revealed any fundamental difficulty which would undermine this approach.

SEP

The Web already has 300m pages, and the number is growing by 1m a day.A more fundamental difficulty with HITS is that it tends to struggle when faced with very sharply focused queries.

The Economist

A more fundamental difficulty concerns the role of ideas and values.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a fundamental difficulty", ensure that you clearly define what makes the difficulty fundamental. Providing context helps the reader understand the depth and importance of the issue.

Common error

Avoid using "a fundamental difficulty" to describe minor inconveniences. Reserve this phrase for issues that genuinely affect the core aspects or foundational elements of a situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fundamental difficulty" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a significant problem or challenge that is central to a given situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

31%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a fundamental difficulty" is a grammatically correct and useful expression for identifying core problems across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers numerous examples of its usage. While relatively uncommon, the phrase is particularly suited for formal and scientific writing. When using "a fundamental difficulty", ensure that the significance of the difficulty is well-defined, and avoid using it for trivial issues. Consider alternative phrases such as "a key obstacle" or "a core challenge" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a key obstacle

Replaces "difficulty" with "obstacle", emphasizing the hindering aspect of the problem.

a core challenge

Substitutes "fundamental" with "core" and "difficulty" with "challenge", highlighting the central and demanding nature of the problem.

a basic problem

Uses simpler terms to convey the essential nature of the issue.

a central issue

Focuses on the issue being pivotal or of great importance.

a primary concern

Emphasizes that the difficulty is a main source of worry or attention.

a major impediment

Highlights the difficulty as something that obstructs progress.

a significant hurdle

Presents the difficulty as an obstacle to overcome.

a critical snag

Indicates a problem that could halt progress if not resolved.

an inherent limitation

Focuses on the difficulty arising from the very nature of something.

an underlying complexity

Emphasizes the intricate nature of the difficulty.

FAQs

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

You can use "a fundamental difficulty" to describe a core problem. For example: "A fundamental difficulty in this research is the lack of available data."

What phrases are similar to "a fundamental difficulty"?

Alternatives include "a key obstacle", "a core challenge", or "a basic problem" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a fundamental difficulty" in formal writing?

Yes, "a fundamental difficulty" is suitable for formal writing, especially in academic, scientific, and professional contexts where precise and clear communication is essential.

What makes "a fundamental difficulty" different from "a simple problem"?

"A fundamental difficulty" implies a deep-rooted or essential issue that affects the core aspects of something, while "a simple problem" refers to a minor or easily solvable issue.