a peculiar difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a peculiar difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a specific or unusual challenge that one is facing in a situation. Example: "The team encountered a peculiar difficulty when trying to integrate the new software with the existing system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Carl von Clausewitz wrote, "The great uncertainty of all data in war is a peculiar difficulty, because all action must, to a certain extent, be planned in a mere twilight". Manning took incredibly courageous actions to release data, to pierce the fog of war, to make public the machinations of modern American war-making.

The Guardian - Opinion

Using the direct literal translation of the 19th century, his words were "The great uncertainty of all data in war is a peculiar difficulty, because all action must, to a certain extent, be planned in a mere twilight, which in addition not unfrequently -- like the effect of a fog or moonshine -- gives to things exaggerated dimension and an unnatural appearance".

The New York Times - Magazine

"The great uncertainty of all data in war is a peculiar difficulty, because all action must, to a certain extent, be planned in a mere twilight, which in addition not infrequently - like the effect of a fog or moonshine - gives to things exaggerated dimensions and unnatural appearance".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In 1850, Nathaniel Hawthorne, in the preface to "The Scarlet Letter," bemoaned the peculiar difficulty of proclaiming oneself a writer in practical-minded America: "What is he?" Hawthorne imagines his disapproving Puritan ancestors asking of his career.

The New Yorker

Phrasal verbs are, in a way, at the heart of English; they are a part of the language which presents peculiar difficulty to the learner, since there is no logic whatever in their meaning, and they hardly ever resemble anything in another language.

The Guardian - Books

But Nabokov presents a peculiar moral difficulty.

The New Yorker

They are proposed to the health and research communities as a contribution to improve clinical studies about rare cancers, given the peculiar difficulties they pose.

Annals of Oncology

Legislation concerning economic combinations presents peculiar difficulties in the fashioning of remedies.

Cornell University

For Mr. Chirac, peculiar difficulties arise in part from the shape of the French system.

The New York Times

But he acknowledges that the peculiar difficulties and injustices of the society help to give his fiction its manic edge.

The New Yorker

"ENVIRONMENTAL factors" is the term Italian businessmen use to describe the peculiar difficulties of working in Sicily.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a peculiar difficulty", ensure the context clearly establishes the specific and unusual nature of the challenge you're describing. Provide enough detail for the reader to understand what makes it peculiar.

Common error

While "peculiar" can add color to your writing, overuse in formal or technical contexts can make your tone seem less objective. Opt for more neutral terms like "specific" or "unusual" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a peculiar difficulty" functions as a noun phrase, with "peculiar" modifying the noun "difficulty". As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct. It serves to identify and characterize a specific type of problem or challenge.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a peculiar difficulty" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an unusual or specific challenge. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, even if its usage is relatively rare. This phrase is suitable for various contexts, especially in news and media, science, and academia, where describing unique problems is common. While not overly formal, it's best to avoid overusing "peculiar" in highly technical writing to maintain objectivity. Consider alternatives like "unusual challenge" or "unique predicament" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unusual challenge

Replaces "peculiar difficulty" with a more general term for an uncommon problem.

a strange problem

Substitutes "peculiar" and "difficulty" with simpler synonyms.

an odd complication

Uses "odd" and "complication" to convey a similar sense of an unusual problem.

a singular obstacle

Emphasizes the uniqueness of the difficulty.

a unique predicament

Highlights the specific situation causing the difficulty.

a particular conundrum

Replaces difficulty with the slightly more formal "conundrum".

a tricky situation

Downplays the severity of the difficulty.

an exceptional issue

Focuses on the exceptional nature of the problem.

an uncommon setback

Frames the difficulty as a temporary impediment.

an extraordinary hurdle

Emphasizes the significant effort needed to overcome the difficulty.

FAQs

What does "a peculiar difficulty" mean?

The phrase "a peculiar difficulty" describes a challenge or problem that is unusual, odd, or specific in some way. It suggests that the difficulty is not something commonly encountered.

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

You can use it to describe any situation presenting an uncommon challenge. For instance, "The project faced "a peculiar difficulty" due to the outdated infrastructure".

What are some alternatives to "a peculiar difficulty"?

Consider using alternatives like "an unusual challenge", "a strange problem", or "a unique predicament", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a peculiar difficulty" formal or informal?

The phrase is relatively neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly technical or scientific writing, a more precise term might be preferred.