a personal difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a personal difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a challenge or problem that an individual is facing in their personal life. Example: "She decided to take a break from work to address a personal difficulty that had been affecting her well-being."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

This was more than a personal difficulty, for enemies in the Nation of Islam used it to humiliate him in public.

The Guardian

Left-wing voters appear to consider his arrest a personal difficulty, not a party matter, and have swung behind the alternatives.

The Economist

For example, people can qualify for a hardship exemption if they experienced a serious financial difficulty such as eviction or filing for bankruptcy — or a personal difficulty such as domestic violence or the death of a family member.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

He added: "There was an element of personal difficulty between the key personalities as well, that's quite shocking in a way.

The Guardian

It was at a time of personal difficulty, during "my separation from my wife, Luisa, when I came back to England so as not to be near her while she was slowly distancing herself from me".

The New Yorker

It was, in some senses, a tricky political day for Mrs. Clinton's campaign, as it sought to balance competing forces -- taking advantage of what should be a stellar moment in the campaign, without seeming to be overly harsh toward Mr. Giuliani at a time of personal difficulty for the mayor.

The New York Times

Barnett outlines 7 strategies, recommended by experienced colleagues and mental health professionals for teaching during a time of personal difficulty.

Johns Hopkins University

He's weathered public criticism, much of it unfair, without Dimon-like whining or complaint (and apparently during a time of personal difficulty).

Huffington Post

Spotting signs that a psychotic episode is close can be hard - but succeeding means heading off a period of immense personal difficulty, and costly NHS treatment.

BBC

At a wild and noisy victory party at the Washington Convention Center, just blocks away from the hotel in which he was arrested for smoking crack, the city's former Mayor stood before more than 3,000 screaming supporters as a monument to perseverance over personal difficulty.

The New York Times

The stories in his fourth collection, Taps at Reveille, were written by Fitzgerald for publication in the Saturday Evening Post during the late 1920s and early 1930s – a time of debt and personal difficulty for the author, who would die in 1940 at the age of 44.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a personal difficulty" when you want to convey a specific, individual problem someone is facing. Be mindful of the context and choose a more descriptive alternative if needed.

Common error

Avoid using "a personal difficulty" as a euphemism when a more specific description would provide clarity and empathy. Instead of masking the issue, consider framing it more directly (if appropriate) with phrases such as "financial trouble" or "family issues".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a personal difficulty" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig AI highlights its correctness and usability, indicating it's grammatically sound and effectively conveys a challenge in someone's personal life.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a personal difficulty" is a grammatically correct and usable noun phrase that describes a challenge someone is facing. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not overly common, it appears in diverse contexts such as News & Media, Science, and Wiki articles. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various settings. When using the phrase, consider if greater specificity would benefit your audience, while respecting privacy. Alternatives include "a private struggle" or "a challenging experience", offering subtle differences in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a difficult personal situation

Reorders the words slightly while retaining the same core meaning.

a private struggle

Focuses on the intimate and often hidden nature of the difficulty.

a personal setback

Emphasizes the hindrance or delay caused by the difficulty.

a challenging experience

Highlights the demanding nature and potential for growth.

a tough situation

Highlights the adversity and demands of the difficulty.

a period of adversity

Emphasizes the challenging circumstances and their duration.

a hardship

Focuses on the severity and impact of the difficulty.

an individual problem

Highlights that the difficulty is specific to a person.

a trying ordeal

Emphasizes the testing and often painful nature of the difficulty.

a time of trouble

Highlights that it is a brief period of disturbance.

FAQs

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

You can use "a personal difficulty" to describe a problem or challenge someone is facing in their private life. For instance, "She is taking time off work to deal with a personal difficulty".

What are some synonyms for "a personal difficulty"?

Alternatives include "a private struggle", "a personal setback", or "a challenging experience", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to be specific or use a general term like "a personal difficulty"?

While "a personal difficulty" is acceptable, being more specific when possible can provide greater clarity and understanding. However, respect privacy and avoid sharing sensitive details without consent.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a personal difficulty"?

It's appropriate when you need a general way to refer to someone's private struggles without divulging specifics. Use it when the exact nature of the issue is either unknown or irrelevant to the conversation.