a minor difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a minor difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or insignificant problem that is not expected to cause major issues. Example: "We encountered a minor difficulty with the project timeline, but we can easily adjust our schedule to accommodate it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

His already being married, to his second wife, was only a minor difficulty compared with this.

The New Yorker

This polyglot element is only a minor difficulty, for Mr. Joyce is using language in a new way.

The Guardian - Books

An offsetting virtue, and why even pessimists might be reassured by this book, is that it proves how bad luck was, at most, just a minor difficulty compared with the problems that were wholly self-inflicted.

The Economist

We also discovered a minor difficulty with contaminating DNA in the sample preparation (Table 5).

BMC Genomics

A minor difficulty arises from the omission of the fact that any template replication is prone to mismatch errors (mutations) resulting in copies slightly different from the template.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

And that, in turn, means they act as a single quantum object ideal for turning into a qubit, if the minor difficulty of keeping them at temperatures close to absolute zero in a functioning machine can be overcome.Several groups are working on this problem, including a team led by Ed Hinds of Imperial College, London.

The Economist

The 36 other passengers were informed that their arrival in Seattle would be delayed because of a "minor mechanical difficulty".

Wikipedia

Even a minor hearing difficulty might decrease an individual's possibilities to be involved in ordinary conversation, especially if several persons are talking at the same time or if there is a lot of background noise, the need to strain to hear might be stressful [ 7].

BMC Public Health

The participants' use of their own everyday technology was observed and scored on the performance skill items using a three-category rating scale: (3 = no difficulty, 2 = minor difficulty, and 1 = major difficulty).

BMC Geriatrics

The conflicts of the 90s had much in common, too (with the minor difficulty that events are changing, dizzyingly, as we rewrite, rehearse and indeed present the play).

The Guardian

The first two pieces went up with only minor difficulty, but the third piece would be the trickiest, said Frank Mariano, one of five Marianos who were working on the job yesterday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation that could escalate, use "a minor difficulty" to downplay initial concerns without dismissing the issue entirely. This can help manage expectations and prevent unnecessary alarm.

Common error

Avoid using "a minor difficulty" when the problem is substantial. Overusing it to describe significant issues can undermine your credibility and make you seem dismissive of real concerns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minor difficulty" functions as a noun phrase, where "minor" acts as a descriptive adjective modifying the noun "difficulty". Ludwig provides examples in both scientific and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a minor difficulty" is a useful way to describe a small problem or challenge, as confirmed by Ludwig's analysis of numerous sources. It's grammatically correct and versatile, appearing in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in science, news and media, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, be mindful not to understate a significant problem. For alternative phrasing, you can use alternatives like "a minor challenge" or "a slight problem". Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor challenge

Replaces 'difficulty' with 'challenge', suggesting a task that requires effort but is not overly problematic.

a minor hurdle

Uses 'hurdle' to imply a small obstacle that needs to be overcome.

a minor inconvenience

Substitutes 'difficulty' with 'inconvenience', highlighting the bothersome aspect of the issue.

a slight problem

Replaces 'minor difficulty' with a more straightforward description of the issue.

a trivial issue

Emphasizes the insignificance of the difficulty by calling it trivial.

a small setback

Uses 'setback' to describe a minor impediment that causes a temporary delay.

a negligible complication

Highlights that the difficulty is so small as to be almost nonexistent.

a minimal impediment

Uses more formal language to indicate a slight obstruction.

a light snag

Employs a more informal term, 'snag', suggesting a minor and easily resolvable issue.

a temporary hiccup

Uses 'hiccup' to imply a brief and transient disruption.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "a minor difficulty"?

Alternatives include "a minor challenge", "a slight problem", or "a trivial issue", depending on the context.

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

Yes, "a minor difficulty" is appropriate for formal writing, but consider alternatives like "a minimal impediment" or "a negligible complication" for a more sophisticated tone.

How does "a minor difficulty" differ from "a major difficulty"?

"A minor difficulty" implies a small, easily resolvable issue, whereas "a major difficulty" suggests a significant problem that may require substantial effort and resources to overcome.

Can "a minor difficulty" be used sarcastically?

Yes, like many phrases, "a minor difficulty" can be used sarcastically to understate a problem, often implying that the difficulty is actually much more significant than it appears.