a lot of difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lot of difficult" is not correct in written English.
It is typically used incorrectly as "difficult" is an adjective and should not be used with "a lot of," which is used with nouns. Example: "There are a lot of difficult problems to solve in this project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

A lot of difficult grown-up stuff.

The New York Times

Iraq has a lot of difficult issues to resolve.

The New York Times

"We're a family that's had a lot of difficult times.

The New York Times - Sports

"There's a lot of difficult emotion," Mr. Bordwin said.

The New York Times

"This team met a lot of difficult challenges," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Obama has a lot of difficult work ahead of him.

The New York Times

"There are a lot of difficult issues that still need to be resolved," he said.

The New York Times

As a leukemia doctor, I have a lot of difficult conversations.

The New York Times

There are a lot of difficult issues that the next City Council will have to tackle.

The New York Times

I've had to come here and do a lot of difficult things.

The New York Times

"Their sense of humor got them through a lot of difficult times," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Remember that while "a lot of difficult" is commonly used, it's not grammatically sound. Proofread to ensure you're using the most accurate phrasing for your writing context.

Common error

Avoid using "a lot of" directly before adjectives like 'difficult'. This phrase works best with nouns. Instead, use "a lot of difficult problems" or restructure the sentence to use "a great deal of difficulty".

Linguistic Context

Incorrect usage: "A lot of difficult" is an adjective phrase. It is generally considered grammatically incorrect as it misses a noun to describe. Ludwig AI suggests it should be followed by a noun (e.g., "A lot of difficult problems").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "a lot of difficult" is a commonly found phrase, it's deemed grammatically incorrect by Ludwig AI. The phrase attempts to express a high degree of difficulty. To maintain grammatical accuracy, it's best to rephrase to "a lot of difficult challenges/problems" or "a great deal of difficulty". Its usage leans towards informal contexts, particularly within news and media sources. Always consider your audience and writing context to choose the most appropriate and grammatically sound phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a great deal of difficulty

Rephrases the concept to center on the "difficulty" as a noun, making it grammatically sound.

many challenging

Replaces "a lot of" with "many" and "difficult" with the synonym "challenging", making the phrase grammatically correct.

numerous tough

Uses "numerous" instead of "a lot of" and "tough" as a synonym for "difficult", emphasizing the quantity and demanding nature.

a multitude of challenges

Transforms the phrase to focus on the challenges themselves, using "a multitude of" to indicate a large number.

substantial problems

Focuses on the presence of significant "problems" that require resolution.

significant complexities

Emphasizes the presence of "complexities" rather than directly stating difficulty.

various demanding

Uses "various" to describe different demanding or taxing situations.

considerable hurdles

Frames the difficulties as "hurdles" to be overcome, adding a sense of obstacles.

several intricate

Highlights the complexities using the adjective "intricate".

extensive hardships

Puts stress on hardships as severe difficulties.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "a lot of" with the idea of something being difficult?

Instead of saying "a lot of difficult", use phrases like "a lot of difficult "problems"", "a lot of difficult "challenges"", or "a great deal of "difficulty"".

What are some alternatives to "a lot of difficult" that sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "numerous "complex issues"", "significant "complications"", or "a multitude of "challenges"".

Is "a lot of difficult" grammatically correct?

No, "a lot of difficult" is generally considered grammatically incorrect because "difficult" is an adjective. It should be followed by a noun, or the sentence should be restructured to use a noun form of "difficult", such as "difficulty".

Which is more appropriate: "a lot of difficult challenges" or "a great deal of difficulty"?

Both "a lot of difficult challenges" and "a great deal of difficulty" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis. The former highlights the challenges, while the latter emphasizes the overall difficulty.