a sense of difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sense of difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the feeling or perception of facing challenges or obstacles in a situation. Example: "She approached the exam with a sense of difficulty, knowing the material would be challenging."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It communicates a sense of difficulty and frustration, and also the kind of elation that comes from being absorbed in a heroic communal task.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Timidity, irony, a sense of the difficulty of the world lie on Boubat's and Doisneau's children.

The New Yorker

Other games, like Tetris, are built on a sense of mounting difficulty; they conjure it by limiting you to a certain quantity of space, which you must constantly clear of debris.

The New Yorker

"Stalking Nabokov" gives its reader a sense of the difficulty of moving through the sheer mass of that material, out of which Boyd needed to tell a tale that would be true to the art and life of its subject.

The New York Times - Books

You can get a sense of its difficulty from the fact that 52percentt of eighth-graders whose parents graduated from college can't read at the proficient level as measured by the Nation's Report Card.

Huffington Post

All of them referred a sense of less difficulty in taking nevirapine compared with the PI-regimen.

BMC Infectious Diseases

In photo montages that cover her body with symbols of war, Yong Soon Min gives a sense of her difficulties handling the role of expatriate.

The New York Times

Although not really analogous for many reasons, this scenario does give a sense of the difficulties involved.

BBC

Four main factors were identified: an overall good living situation; a sense of place; difficulties relocating; and being well-adapted to the situation.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

Such a one-sided outcome from a revision process is not thought to be likely, but it gives a sense of the difficulties Nasa and Esa now face in developing a joint initiative to land and rove on Mars later this decade.

BBC

But it has a certain sense of difficulty to it.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "a sense of difficulty" with specific details about the situation. For example, "a sense of difficulty in navigating the new software" is more informative than just "a sense of difficulty".

Common error

Avoid using "a sense of difficulty" vaguely. Always provide context to clarify the source and nature of the difficulty, ensuring your writing remains precise and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sense of difficulty" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It conveys a subjective perception or awareness of challenges or obstacles, as supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sense of difficulty" is a commonly used noun phrase to express the subjective perception or awareness of facing challenges or obstacles. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for a wide range of contexts. While it appears frequently in news and media, it’s versatile enough for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, ensure you provide sufficient context to clarify the source of the difficulty. Related phrases like "a feeling of challenge" or "an awareness of struggle" offer nuanced alternatives to consider.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a feeling of challenge

Focuses on the emotional experience of facing something difficult, shifting from perception to emotion.

an awareness of struggle

Highlights the recognition of effort and resistance required, emphasizing the active fight against difficulty.

a perception of hardship

Emphasizes the subjective interpretation of a situation as being difficult or challenging.

a recognition of obstacles

Focuses on identifying specific barriers, highlighting the cognitive aspect of acknowledging difficulties.

a taste of adversity

Implies a direct experience with hardship, suggesting a more personal and impactful encounter with difficulty.

an appreciation for complexity

Highlights the intricate and multifaceted nature of a situation, acknowledging the inherent difficulty in understanding it.

a burden of responsibility

Focuses on the weight and difficulty associated with carrying significant obligations.

a trial of endurance

Implies a prolonged and demanding test of one's ability to withstand hardship and difficulty.

a challenge of expertise

Focuses on the need for specialized knowledge or skills to overcome a particular difficulty.

a predicament of uncertainty

Highlights the difficulty stemming from a lack of clarity or predictability in a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "a sense of difficulty" in a sentence?

You can use "a sense of difficulty" to describe the feeling or awareness of facing challenges or obstacles. For example, "She approached the task with "a sense of difficulty", knowing the material would be challenging".

What can I say instead of "a sense of difficulty"?

You can use alternatives like "a feeling of challenge", "an awareness of struggle", or "a perception of hardship" depending on the context.

Is "a sense of difficulty" formal or informal?

"A sense of difficulty" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

What's the difference between "a sense of difficulty" and "a level of difficulty"?

"A sense of difficulty" refers to a subjective perception or feeling of facing challenges. "A level of difficulty" refers to an objective measure or assessment of how challenging something is.