a series of difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a series of difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing multiple challenging tasks, situations, or experiences that someone has encountered. Example: "She faced a series of difficult challenges during her training for the marathon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Overall, social science raises a series of difficult questions about Tillerson's nomination.

The Washington Post

As CEO, she makes a series of difficult decisions to transform the company.

Harvard Business Review

It takes a series of difficult arguments head on and presents its position eloquently and clearly.

The Guardian - Opinion

Brown was in first place at the time, but attempted a series of difficult tricks.

The New York Times - Sports

Linpack is a collection of programs that analyze and solve a series of difficult mathematical problems.

The New York Times

The people of the Mekong face a series of difficult decisions.

The New York Times

Mr. O'Reilly's demeanor has helped him tackle a series of difficult jobs.

The New York Times

Serbia will have to navigate a series of difficult issues as part of its application.

The New York Times

What's more, for all the understandable focus on Obama's difficulties, Republicans also face a series of difficult political dilemmas.

The Washington Post

Rutter said: "Ministers will be faced with a series of difficult choices over the shape of Brexit.

The Guardian

The British and Irish governments now face a series of difficult options with a deadline of midnight this Saturday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a series of difficult", ensure the context clearly indicates that multiple distinct challenges or problems are being addressed, not a single, multifaceted issue. For single issues, consider alternatives like "a difficult situation" or "a complex problem".

Common error

Avoid using "a series of difficult" to describe situations that are merely inconvenient or slightly challenging. Reserve this phrase for scenarios involving genuine hardship, significant complexity, or substantial obstacles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a series of difficult" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It typically refers to multiple instances of challenging situations or tasks, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

23%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a series of difficult" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe multiple challenging situations or tasks. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Predominantly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, it serves to emphasize the complexity and demanding nature of the situations. When employing this phrase, ensure the context warrants its use by denoting genuinely complex or substantially challenging scenarios. For simpler situations, consider alternative options like "a number of tough" or "several complex".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a succession of tough

Replaces "series" with "succession" and "difficult" with "tough", emphasizing the sequential nature and the demanding aspect.

a string of challenging

Uses "string" to highlight the connected nature of the challenges and "challenging" as a synonym for "difficult".

a chain of arduous

Employs "chain" to illustrate a linked sequence and "arduous" to denote the demanding character of the experiences.

a sequence of problematic

Substitutes "series" with "sequence" and "difficult" with "problematic", focusing on the troublesomeness of the situations.

a set of complex

Replaces "difficult" with "complex", shifting the focus to the intricate nature of the series.

a range of trying

Uses "range" to indicate variety within the experiences and "trying" to emphasize the testing nature of the series.

a cycle of demanding

Implies a recurring nature with "cycle" and highlights the rigorous aspect using "demanding".

multiple tough

Uses adjective to emphasize the difficulty of the things.

several complex

Replaces "a series of" with "several" focusing on complexity.

various intricate

Focuses on the multifaceted nature of the items or situations.

FAQs

How can I use "a series of difficult" in a sentence?

You can use "a series of difficult" to describe multiple challenging tasks, situations, or experiences, such as, "The company faced "a series of difficult" decisions during the economic downturn".

What are some alternatives to "a series of difficult"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a succession of tough", "a string of challenging", or "a chain of arduous", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "a series of complex" or "a series of difficult"?

The choice depends on the context. "A series of complex" emphasizes intricate and multifaceted nature, while ""a series of difficult"" highlights the challenging and arduous nature.

When is it inappropriate to use "a series of difficult"?

It's best to avoid using ""a series of difficult"" for minor inconveniences or situations that are only mildly challenging. The phrase is most effective when describing substantial hardships or complexities.