a great trouble

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a great trouble" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant problem or difficulty someone is facing. Example: "The unexpected storm caused a great trouble for the travelers trying to reach their destination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

He entrusted five hundred dollars to a friend, asking him to help Leslie through what he called "a great trouble," and in the next four months she received more than three hundred dollars.

The New Yorker

I think I shall soon be a regular pipe smoker which will be better for my chest as you know I am very short winded and it's a great trouble to me out here.

The Guardian

This extravagant affection was a great trouble to Plato, for it was accompanied with petulant and jealous humours, like the fond passions of those that are desperately in love; frequently he was angry and fell out with him, and presently begged and entreated to be friends again.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

As you know, Duke was visited by a great trouble last spring.

Duke University

When Cotton left England, Anne Hutchinson described it as a "great trouble unto her," and said that she "could not be at rest" until she followed her minister to New England.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

And Republican operatives almost uniformly declared it as a sign of great trouble for his candidacy, with Mark McKinnon, an aide to former President George W. Bush, describing the moment as the "human equivalent of shuttle Challenger".

The New York Times

She had been trying in vain to help a boy who had great trouble reading.

The New York Times

In a telephone interview, Mr. Taylor, a retired Air Force officer, said Mr. Rodriguez had a "violent temper," which he displayed in fights with his wife, and had great trouble keeping a job.

The New York Times

Nassau Hall actually set up a team of people, at great trouble and expense, to identify students who might be persuaded to transfer to Princeton.

Princeton University

Nonetheless, even after the covenants were declared illegal, blacks and members of other minorities still had great trouble buying a house in white neighborhoods.

The New York Times

Snowden went to great trouble over a long period to amass the astonishing quantity of secrets that he passed on to Poitras and Greenwald — including taking a private-contractor position solely with the aim of downloading N.S.A. files.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a great trouble", consider whether a more specific term like "difficulty", "problem", or "challenge" might provide greater clarity.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "a great trouble" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "big problem" or "major issue" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great trouble" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

40%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a great trouble" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a significant problem or difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, though its frequency is relatively rare. It finds its primary contexts in News & Media and Academia. While appropriate in many situations, writers should consider more specific alternatives for increased clarity or simpler options for informal settings. Despite its correctness, remember that careful word choice enhances the clarity and effectiveness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major difficulty

Replaces "trouble" with "difficulty", emphasizing the problematic aspect.

a significant problem

Substitutes "trouble" with "problem", offering a more direct and common alternative.

a considerable challenge

Replaces "trouble" with "challenge", framing the situation as something to overcome.

a substantial issue

Uses "issue" instead of "trouble", suggesting a matter of importance requiring attention.

a serious predicament

Replaces the entire phrase with "predicament", indicating a difficult or dangerous situation.

a grave concern

Emphasizes the worrying aspect of the situation, using "concern" instead of "trouble".

a taxing ordeal

Highlights the burdensome nature of the situation by using "ordeal".

a bothersome situation

Uses "bothersome" to describe the situation, indicating it's causing annoyance or inconvenience.

a vexing matter

Replaces "trouble" with "matter", suggesting a subject that is difficult to deal with.

a frustrating experience

Frames the trouble as an "experience" that causes frustration.

FAQs

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

You can use "a great trouble" to describe a significant problem or difficulty that someone is facing. For example, "The company faced "a great trouble" when the new regulations were introduced."

What's a more common alternative to "a great trouble"?

More common alternatives include "a major problem", "a significant issue", or "a considerable challenge", depending on the specific context.

Is "a great trouble" formal or informal?

"A great trouble" leans towards a slightly more formal tone than alternatives like "big problem" or "major issue". The best choice depends on the context and your desired level of formality.

Can "a great trouble" be used in any situation?

While grammatically correct, "a great trouble" might not always be the most natural-sounding choice. Consider whether a more specific and descriptive phrase would be more effective in conveying the nature of the difficulty.