a really difficult time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a really difficult time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a period of hardship or struggle that someone is experiencing. Example: "After losing her job, she went through a really difficult time adjusting to her new circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He joined in training a couple of weeks ago and it's one of those situations where you say: 'Let's see how he does because he has had a really difficult time in the last year'.

BBC

She had a really difficult time.

Independent

"It has been a really difficult time.

The Guardian - Sport

She had a really difficult time," she said.

Independent

"It was certainly a really difficult time to open".

The New York Times

This was a really difficult time for her.

The Guardian - Books

It's a really difficult time at the moment.

The Guardian

"She'd been through a really difficult time with a broken leg and a diabetes diagnosis.

The Guardian

And yet I was seeing people around me having a really difficult time," Kennedy says.

The Guardian

It's a really difficult time of year as well for everyone, including players".

The Guardian - Sport

Carlin added: "It was a really difficult time for me, with Bud moving to Australia.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a really difficult time", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific challenges or hardships being faced to provide a comprehensive understanding for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a really difficult time" as a vague statement. Instead, elaborate on the specific difficulties experienced to enhance clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a really difficult time" functions as a noun phrase, where "difficult" is an adjective modifying "time", and "really" intensifies the adjective. As seen in Ludwig, it is commonly used to describe a period of hardship.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a really difficult time" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a period of hardship or struggle. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used and accepted in English. Its frequency across various sources, particularly News & Media and Academia, demonstrates its versatility. While often used, it's best to provide specific context to enhance understanding. Alternatives like "a challenging period" or "a tough phase" can be used for variety, but the core meaning remains consistent. Ludwig's examples underscore that this phrase effectively conveys empathy and explains challenging situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a truly challenging period

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging" and "really" with "truly", slightly altering the emphasis.

an exceptionally hard experience

Replaces "difficult time" with "hard experience", focusing on the personal impact.

a considerably tough phase

Substitutes "difficult" with "tough" and "really" with "considerably", providing a more informal tone.

a remarkably trying situation

Changes the noun from "time" to "situation" and replaces "difficult" with "trying", highlighting the stressful aspect.

a notably arduous stage

Employs more formal vocabulary, replacing "difficult" with "arduous" and "really" with "notably".

a period of significant hardship

Replaces "difficult time" with "significant hardship", emphasizing the suffering and deprivation involved.

a particularly rough patch

Uses the idiom "rough patch" to indicate a period of trouble or difficulty, adding a slightly more colloquial feel.

a severely testing ordeal

Employs more intense vocabulary, such as "severely" and "ordeal", to emphasize the severity of the difficulty.

a season of intense struggle

Substitutes "time" with "season" and "difficult" with "intense struggle", highlighting ongoing effort and resistance.

a moment of great adversity

Shifts the focus to "adversity" as the central concept, rather than directly describing the time as difficult.

FAQs

What does "a really difficult time" mean?

The phrase "a really difficult time" refers to a period marked by significant challenges, hardships, or adversity. It suggests that someone is experiencing notable struggles and difficulties during that period.

How can I use "a really difficult time" in a sentence?

You can use "a really difficult time" to describe a period of struggle, for example: "She had "a really difficult time" after losing her job" or "The company went through "a really difficult time" during the recession".

What are some alternatives to saying "a really difficult time"?

You can use alternatives like "a challenging period", "a tough phase", or "a hard experience" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a really difficult time"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase follows standard English grammar rules and is commonly used in both spoken and written language to describe a period of hardship or struggle.