a great difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

"a great difficulty" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to something that presents an especially challenging obstacle. For example, "Finding a reliable babysitter presented a great difficulty for the parents."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

" He said, "That seemed like quite a great difficulty.

Princeton University

There is a great difficulty in producing timetables.

The Guardian

However, its data-driven robustness or reliability is of a great difficulty.

Applied Soft Computing

That was a great difficulty when I worked in Germany for six years.

The New Yorker

And therein lies a great difficulty for the current Chinese regime.

The New York Times

There is a great difficulty in simulating both crack initiation and propagation of uncracked solids using conventional fracture mechanics.

Journal of Constructional Steel Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Moreover, the large variation of shape and intensity distribution of organs bring a great difficulties in using traditional commonness to guide the segmentation.

BioMed Research International

There is occasionally a greater difficulty with stretching muscles because of all the shivering.

The New York Times - Sports

Such limitations have their origins in common law, holding that as time passes, a person accused of a crime has a greater difficulty presenting an effective defense.

The New York Times

Statutes of limitations have their origins in common law, holding, as a principle of fairness, that as time passes, a person accused of a crime has a greater difficulty presenting an effective courtroom defense.

The New York Times

Perhaps a greater difficulty can be raised if we ask how Aristotle determines which emotions are governed by the doctrine of the mean.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a great difficulty", ensure the context clearly identifies what is causing the difficulty. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a great difficulty" when a simpler term like "challenge" or "problem" would suffice. Overusing intensifiers can weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great difficulty" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

39%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a great difficulty" is a commonly used phrase to describe a significant challenge or obstacle. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. Analysis of Ludwig's examples reveals its frequent use in scientific and news contexts, maintaining a generally neutral to formal tone. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the context is clear and that the level of difficulty is accurately represented. Alternatives such as "a significant challenge" or "a major obstacle" can be used for variety or to fine-tune the specific meaning. Avoiding overuse and maintaining specificity will contribute to clearer and more effective writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant challenge

Replaces "difficulty" with "challenge", emphasizing the demanding nature of the situation.

a considerable obstacle

Substitutes "difficulty" with "obstacle", highlighting the hindering aspect.

a major impediment

Employs "impediment" instead of "difficulty", focusing on the obstruction caused.

a substantial problem

Replaces "difficulty" with "problem", presenting a more general issue.

a tough predicament

Uses "tough predicament" to suggest a difficult situation requiring careful handling.

a formidable hurdle

Replaces "difficulty" with "hurdle", emphasizing the need to overcome a barrier.

a serious complication

Employs "complication" to indicate an element that makes things more complex.

a tricky situation

Uses "tricky situation" to suggest a problem that requires careful navigation.

a grave concern

Replaces "difficulty" with "grave concern", indicating a more serious and worrying issue.

a steep learning curve

Implies that the difficulty lies in the amount of effort and time required to learn something.

FAQs

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

You can use "a great difficulty" to describe something that presents a significant challenge. For instance, "Securing funding proved "a great difficulty" for the project."

What are some alternatives to "a great difficulty"?

Some alternatives include "a significant challenge", "a major obstacle", or "a substantial problem", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "a great difficulty" or "a significant difficulty"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "a significant difficulty" might sound more formal or precise, while "a great difficulty" can convey a stronger sense of magnitude.

What's the difference between "a great difficulty" and "a minor inconvenience"?

"A great difficulty" implies a substantial impediment or challenge, whereas "a minor inconvenience" refers to a small, easily manageable problem.