a passing difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a passing difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a temporary or minor challenge that one is experiencing. Example: "Although we faced a passing difficulty during the project, we managed to overcome it and meet our deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But adult hunger is no longer a passing difficulty.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

French foreign and defense policies during the year were marked by some passing difficulties with EU partners and a further shift toward the U.S. and NATO.

Encyclopedia Britannica

George does something at a mortgage corporation but makes only a passing reference to the current difficulties, never suggesting that arranging mortgages in South Florida in 2009 is like selling muskets in a nuclear war.

The New York Times - Arts

In many poor districts of Kinshasa, where even a motorbike passes with difficulty, a truck with a mechanical drill cannot be used.

Unicef

While the latter's emphasis on how much a QB's performance contributes to a win and incorporation of what the Olympics would call a pass-completion "degree of difficulty" make sense, has anyone actually even tried to learn it?

Huffington Post

At one point, Lisa Williams, a Ph.D. student who specializes in schizophrenia — a disorder that Ramachandran first began exploring about a decade ago — mentioned, in passing, the difficulty that schizophrenics have in differentiating between phenomena that are internally and externally generated.

The New Yorker

Of course, Merriman can serve as a one-year quick fix to bolster a defense that is both porous against the run and having difficulty generating a pass rush.

The New York Times - Sports

Their skeletons have signs of arthritis, and their lower vertebrae point to a life passed in difficulty, he said.

The Guardian

If you have difficulty registering for a pass, email [email protected] from your Princeton or pppl email account.

Princeton University

"They are really passing through difficulty.

The New York Times

An 18 French nonweighted nasogastric tube was passed without difficulty, and gastric lavage revealed a small amount of blood clots before running clear aspirates that smelled of alcohol.

Critical Ultrasound Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a passing difficulty" when you want to downplay the severity or duration of a problem. It suggests that the issue is not significant or long-lasting.

Common error

Avoid using "a passing difficulty" to describe serious or long-term issues. This can minimize the actual impact and make you seem dismissive of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a passing difficulty" functions as a noun phrase, where "passing" acts as an adjective modifying "difficulty". It refers to a problem or challenge that is temporary and not expected to last long. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

16%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a passing difficulty" is a noun phrase used to describe a temporary or minor problem. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It's suitable for various contexts but is most commonly found in news and general writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the issue is genuinely minor and temporary to avoid misrepresenting the situation. Consider alternatives like "a temporary setback" or "a minor hiccup" for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a temporary setback

Replaces "difficulty" with "setback", emphasizing a temporary obstruction to progress.

a minor hiccup

Uses "hiccup" to suggest a small and usually insignificant problem.

a slight problem

Replaces "passing difficulty" with a more general term for a small issue.

a fleeting challenge

Emphasizes the short duration of the difficulty using "fleeting" and replacing "difficulty" with "challenge".

a momentary struggle

Focuses on the brief period of effort or difficulty.

a brief obstacle

Highlights the obstruction aspect of the difficulty and its short duration.

a short-term issue

Uses the term "issue" to indicate a problem that is not expected to last long.

a transient problem

Replaces "passing" with "transient" which is a more formal way to say temporary.

a temporary inconvenience

Emphasizes the bothersome nature of the difficulty, but clarifies that it is not permanent.

a manageable challenge

Replaces "passing" with "manageable" to suggest that the difficulty is not something that will last long, but can be handled with care.

FAQs

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

Use "a passing difficulty" to describe a problem that is temporary and not overly significant. For example: "Although we faced "a passing difficulty" during the project, we managed to overcome it."

What is a synonym for "a passing difficulty"?

Alternatives include "a temporary setback", "a minor hiccup", or "a slight problem". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a passing difficulty" formal or informal?

"A passing difficulty" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding language than the phrase itself.

When is it inappropriate to use "a passing difficulty"?

Avoid using "a passing difficulty" if the issue is serious, long-term, or has significant consequences. In such cases, it's best to use more direct and descriptive language, rather than downplaying the severity of the situation.