a general difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a general difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a broad or common challenge that is not specific to a particular situation or context. Example: "Many students face a general difficulty in understanding complex mathematical concepts."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Although rural history shows voters have a general difficulty in voting Labor which stretches back as far as the shearers' strikes, independents are another matter.

The Guardian

It is a general difficulty with a mathematical approach to legal proof.

SEP

There is a general difficulty in establishing, explaining and capturing all the details of CRN in one single model.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

This factor, together with a general difficulty in measuring patient outcomes, results in this type of audit being the most difficult to carry out.

Insights into Imaging

The selection of an appropriate threshold to distinguish between changed and unchanged areas remains as a general difficulty for the application of pixel-based methods.

Geoenvironmental Disasters

Also, due to the accuracy of the medical records provided, and a general difficulty in assessing hypertension, it is unknown which subjects' hypertension was controlled, uncontrolled, or otherwise more extreme as compared to other cases.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

This may be explained by a combination of (a) the general difficulty with PCR amplifying long amplicons, requiring relatively high levels of template for successful amplication, and thus (b) the fact that mtDNA template copy numbers are much higher than those for nuDNA templates, leading to preferential mtDNA over nuDNA amplification.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Some researchers have proposed that prosopagnosia is not purely a problem with face blindness but one aspect of a more general difficulty in distinguishing the individuals in any class, whether that class consists of faces, cars, birds, or anything else.

The New Yorker

All these problem cases for desire theories appear to be symptoms of a more general difficulty.

SEP

Given (a) the general difficulty in changing health-related behaviors by education, (b) the fact that some risk factors are already subject to public health advice, and (c) the modest relative risk values for single factors, risk modification is not generally promising.

European Journal of Pediatrics

Activation in the iRLPFC did not increase when rule complexity was manipulated and so could not have been related to an increase in general difficulty.

Cerebral Cortex

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a general difficulty", ensure that the context clearly indicates what specific area or aspect the difficulty pertains to. This helps to avoid ambiguity and provides clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a general difficulty" without providing any context or specific examples. This can make your writing vague and less informative. Always follow up with details to illustrate the nature and scope of the difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a general difficulty" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a widespread or common problem, challenge, or obstacle. As Ludwig AI indicates, this is a common expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

79%

News & Media

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a general difficulty" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a widespread problem or challenge. As Ludwig AI shows, it appears frequently in scientific, news, and wiki sources. When using this phrase, ensure the context provides specific details to avoid vagueness. Consider alternatives like "a common problem" or "a widespread issue" to add variety to your writing. By providing context and avoiding overgeneralization, you can effectively communicate the nature and scope of the difficulty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a common problem

Focuses on the shared nature of the challenge, emphasizing it affects many.

a widespread issue

Highlights the broad scope and reach of the difficulty.

a prevalent challenge

Emphasizes the frequency and commonness of the difficulty.

a typical obstacle

Suggests the difficulty is expected and regularly encountered.

a recurring impediment

Highlights the repetitive nature of the difficulty, suggesting it happens again and again.

a frequent complication

Focuses on the difficulty as something that adds complexity.

a notable struggle

Emphasizes the effort and hardship involved in overcoming the difficulty.

a significant hurdle

Highlights the difficulty as something that must be overcome to progress.

a universal challenge

Emphasizes that the difficulty affects everyone or nearly everyone.

a familiar setback

Suggests the difficulty is known and regularly experienced.

FAQs

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

You can use "a general difficulty" to describe a widespread problem. For instance: "There is "a general difficulty" in accessing healthcare in rural areas".

What are some alternatives to "a general difficulty"?

Alternatives include "a common problem", "a widespread issue", or "a prevalent challenge". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "general difficulty" or "specific difficulty"?

It depends on what you want to emphasize. "General difficulty" refers to a widespread or common problem, while "specific difficulty" points to a particular, isolated issue.

What's the difference between "a general difficulty" and "a common difficulty"?

"A general difficulty" suggests that the issue is widespread and not limited to a particular case. "A common difficulty" implies that it is frequently encountered. The terms are often interchangeable but have slightly different nuances.