a significant difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a challenge or obstacle that is considerable in nature or impact. Example: "The team faced a significant difficulty in meeting the project deadline due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

A significant difficulty is that one cannot be sure that the sonnets are autobiographical.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A significant difficulty is the lack of familiarity of the housing sector with the concept of cohousing," she says.

The Guardian

We address a significant difficulty in the numerical computation of fluid interfaces with soluble surfactant that occurs in the physically representative limit of large bulk Peclet number Pe.

Journal of Computational Physics

The complexity of hardware design methodologies represents a significant difficulty for non-hardware focused scientists working on accelerating the simulation of complex bio-inspired applications.

Neurocomputing

A significant difficulty regarding the consideration of ageing effects on equipment (un availability is the immense uncertainty the available equipment ageing data are associated to.

Nuclear Engineering and Design

The lack of knowledge about particle behavior in combined sewer detention tanks remains a significant difficulty for the design of these works.

Computers & Fluids

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

In total, 38.5% of prostate patients reported some degree of urinary leakage, 12.9% reported difficulty controlling their bowels and 58.4% reported being unable to have an erection with a further 11% reporting significant difficulty in having or maintaining an erection.

BMJ Open

Many therapists are open to temporarily lowering the cost of sessions for patients who are struggling financially, "especially if I feel that a patient would have significant difficulty supporting themselves during a break from therapy," said Katie Krimer, a therapist based in New York.

HuffPost

Physicians providing care for pregnant women must inquire about sleep patterns; if a woman is reporting significant difficulty coping with the disruption, a thorough history should be taken.

Sleep Medicine Clinics

A 1998 study conducted for the National Institute for Literacy concluded that 30percentt of the state's population, age 16 and above, would have significant difficulty locating an intersection on a street map, filling out a Social Security card application or finding two pieces of information in a sports article.

The New York Times

More than half of those affected have a disability causing them "significant difficulty in one or more areas of the individual's life", the Department for Work and Pensions has said.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a significant difficulty", clearly specify the context and impact of the difficulty to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a significant difficulty" for minor inconveniences. Reserve this phrase for situations where the difficulty genuinely has a substantial impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant difficulty" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It identifies and emphasizes the presence of a notable challenge or problem. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

24%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant difficulty" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to denote a notable problem or challenge. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears frequently in scientific and news contexts and is appropriate for formal, neutral, and even professional settings. When using the phrase, ensure that the difficulty is genuinely significant to avoid overstatement. Consider using alternative phrases like "a major obstacle" or "a considerable challenge" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major obstacle

Emphasizes the hindering nature of the difficulty.

a considerable challenge

Highlights the demanding nature of the difficulty.

a substantial problem

Focuses on the size and impact of the difficulty.

a serious impediment

Stresses the obstructive character of the difficulty.

a tough hurdle

Conveys the need to overcome the difficulty.

a key issue

Highlights the importance of the difficulty.

a notable setback

Focuses on the delaying aspect of the difficulty.

a critical snag

Emphasizes the sudden and unexpected nature of the difficulty.

a formidable barrier

Underscores the strength and resistance of the difficulty.

a grave concern

Highlights the worrisome aspect of the difficulty.

FAQs

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

Use "a significant difficulty" to introduce a notable problem or challenge. For example, "The project faced "a significant difficulty" due to unforeseen circumstances".

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

You can use alternatives like "a major obstacle", "a considerable challenge", or "a substantial problem depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a significant difficulty" or "a significantly difficulty"?

"A significant difficulty" is correct. "Significant" is an adjective modifying the noun "difficulty". "Significantly" is an adverb and would not be grammatically correct in this phrase.

What's the difference between "a significant difficulty" and "a minor difficulty"?

"A significant difficulty" implies a considerable problem with a notable impact, while "a minor difficulty" refers to a small, easily manageable issue.