a pervasive difficulty in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pervasive difficulty in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a widespread or common challenge or issue within a specific context or field. Example: "There is a pervasive difficulty in understanding the complexities of climate change among the general public."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Amongst my divorced peers, there is a pervasive difficulty among women who were "left" not to define themselves that way.

Huffington Post

A pervasive difficulty of using such laboratory models is that these models may not accurately model 'natural' infections.

Plosone

This group of Canadian housing experts observed structural forms of discrimination that were compounded by poverty and mental illness within the context of an ongoing pervasive difficulty in accessing adequate housing.

BMJ Open

The diagnostic manuals ICD-10 and DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association 1994; World Health Organization 1993) use different terminology, but both make a clear diagnostic distinction between a specific developmental disorder affecting language and the more pervasive difficulties seen in autism.

Behavior Genetics

The presence of such pervasive difficulties with language skills suggests that the difficulties are not simply a secondary consequence of motor or articulatory limitations.

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology

Boredom at work is a negative reaction in response to a personal assessment of a work situation that is more short-lived than attitudes such as job satisfaction in which a person feels a pervasive lack of interest in, and difficulty attending to, a task or activity.

Reference Module in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Psychology

As we strive toward gender equality on March 8, International Women's Day, it's crucial for governments not to ignore the particular ways in which pervasive difficulties getting access to water and sanitation affect women and girls.

HuffPost

This was a pervasive system in the ancient Middle East.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He detected a pervasive sadness in the country.

The New Yorker

"It's a pervasive material in everything we do.

The New York Times

Food has a pervasive existence in The Wire.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing the phrase, consider whether "pervasive" accurately reflects the scale of the issue. If it's localized, other descriptors like "significant" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "a pervasive difficulty in" to describe isolated incidents or minor problems. The term suggests a widespread or systemic issue. Ensure the scale of the problem warrants the use of "pervasive".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pervasive difficulty in" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a widespread or commonly encountered problem or challenge. This aligns with Ludwig's assessment that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

66%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a pervasive difficulty in" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a widespread challenge or problem. Ludwig's analysis confirms its usability in written English. While less frequent, its presence in scientific and news media contexts indicates its appropriateness for discussing complex issues. It is important to remember not to overstate the scope of the challenge described, ensuring that the use of "pervasive" is warranted. Related phrases like "a widespread problem with" or "a common challenge in" can be considered as alternatives depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a widespread problem with

Replaces "difficulty" with "problem" and "pervasive" with "widespread", maintaining a focus on common issues.

a common challenge in

Substitutes "pervasive difficulty" with "common challenge", indicating a frequently encountered obstacle.

a general struggle with

Uses "struggle" instead of "difficulty", emphasizing the effort required to overcome something prevalent.

a ubiquitous issue in

Replaces "pervasive" with "ubiquitous" to highlight the widespread nature of the issue.

a prevalent concern about

Changes "difficulty" to "concern" to focus on worry or anxiety related to a widespread issue.

a widespread inability to

Shifts the focus to a lack of capacity or skill related to something prevalent.

a recurrent obstacle to

Highlights the repeated nature of the difficulty, presenting it as a recurring barrier.

a systemic impediment to

Focuses on how difficulties are embedded within a system and hinder progress.

a broad challenge concerning

Highlights a widely recognized issue with the expression of a challenge.

a consistent failing in

Emphasizes a pattern of failure in a particular aspect, highlighting the difficulty.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to saying "a pervasive difficulty in"?

You can use alternatives such as "a widespread problem with", "a common challenge in", or "a general struggle with" depending on the specific context.

How does "a pervasive difficulty in" differ from "a specific difficulty in"?

"A pervasive difficulty in" suggests a widespread or systemic issue, while "a specific difficulty in" refers to a particular, isolated challenge. The former impacts a larger scale, while the latter is more localized.

Is it more appropriate to use "problem" or "difficulty" in the phrase "a pervasive problem/difficulty in"?

Both "problem" and "difficulty" can work. "Problem" often implies something that needs solving, whereas "difficulty" emphasizes the struggle or challenge involved. Choose the word that better fits the situation.

Can "a pervasive difficulty in" be used to describe positive situations?

No, "a pervasive difficulty in" is used to describe widespread challenges or negative situations. It would not be appropriate in a positive context.