a source of difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a source of difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that causes challenges or problems in a particular context. Example: "The lack of clear communication was a source of difficulty for the team during the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Sonic or critical points are seen to be a source of difficulty in the algorithm and an appropriate treatment is proposed.

Journal of Computational Physics

"What is leadership," Samara asked, "if your leader is in Afghanistan and your soldiers are in Iraq?" In fact, al-Qaida's main branch in the Middle East, the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI), had long been a source of difficulty.

The Guardian

However, these reasons may also be a source of difficulty for the representationalist approach, as they lead to posit a multiplicity of body representations.

SEP

Of the responses for fractions, the results indicated that they were a source of difficulty particularly for Site 1 (n = 4), Site 4 (n = 3), and Site 7 (n = 3). Figure 4 provides three examples of students' responses to questions 23 and four from the CDAT test.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

Snoring often is a source of difficulty in relationships.

Huffington Post

However, the content level was sometimes a source of difficulty (4/18) (e.g. critical thinking).

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The high limitation of chemical space is a source of difficulties for learning algorithms to proper discriminate actives from inactives, when large libraries containing a great variety of chemical structures are evaluated.

Journal of Cheminformatics

The absence of convexity creates a source of difficulties of all kinds, in particular, the distinction between the local and global minima, the nonexistence of verifiable characterizations of global solutions, etc., that causes all the computational complexity while passing from convex to nonconvex programming.

Vietnam Journal of Computer Science

During the year, a parent comes to appreciate that school is a source of difficulties both academic and social for the LD or otherwise disabled child.

Huffington Post

Inter-cultural differences were considered a source of difficulties in discussing prenatal or preconceptional screening.

BMC Family Practice

This may mean that patients are focused on this intimate relationship, even when it risks becoming a source of difficulties [ 33].

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a source of difficulty", clearly identify what is causing the difficulty. Providing context makes the statement more informative and actionable.

Common error

Avoid using "a source of difficulty" as a vague statement. Instead of saying "The project faced a source of difficulty", specify the exact cause: "The project faced a source of difficulty due to unclear requirements."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a source of difficulty" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the origin or cause of a problem or challenge. It is commonly used to pinpoint what is making something difficult to achieve or understand. According to Ludwig, this phrase is perfectly usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

28%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a source of difficulty" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to pinpoint the origin of a problem or challenge. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for written English. While versatile, it's important to provide specific context to enhance clarity. Common errors include vague usage without identifying the precise cause of the difficulty. Related phrases like "a cause of trouble" or "an obstacle" can offer alternative ways to express the same idea with slightly different nuances. With primary contexts in science, news, and academia, it maintains a neutral to formal register, making it appropriate for analytical and considered communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a cause of trouble

This alternative suggests a problem that leads to disruption or conflict, implying a more negative or disruptive impact than simply a "difficulty".

a point of contention

This phrase emphasizes disagreement or dispute as the primary issue, rather than a general challenge or obstacle.

an obstacle

This highlights the impedance or blockage caused by something, focusing on its hindering effect.

a stumbling block

This suggests something that causes one to hesitate or fail, implying a potential for error or setback.

a challenge

This presents the difficulty as something to be overcome, emphasizing the effort required to deal with it.

a problematic aspect

This focuses on a specific part or feature that presents difficulties.

a complication

Implies something that makes a situation more complex or harder to deal with.

a disadvantage

This highlights how something creates an unfavorable position, rather than directly causing difficulty.

a hardship

This refers to something causing suffering or privation, indicating a more severe impact than a mere "difficulty".

a source of frustration

This emphasizes the emotional response caused by the difficulty, specifically feelings of annoyance and impatience.

FAQs

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

You can use "a source of difficulty" to describe something that creates challenges or problems. For example: "Lack of funding was "a source of difficulty" for the research team."

What are some alternatives to "a source of difficulty"?

Some alternatives include "a cause of trouble", "a point of contention", or "a challenge" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "a source of difficulty" or "a source of difficulties"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "a source of difficulty" is generally used for a singular, overarching problem, while "a source of difficulties" refers to multiple, distinct problems stemming from the same origin. It depends if it's one thing or various things creating problems.

What's the difference between "a source of difficulty" and "an obstacle"?

"An obstacle" specifically implies something that blocks progress, whereas "a source of difficulty" is broader and can refer to anything that makes something harder, even if it doesn't completely stop progress. Therefore "an obstacle" it's a subtype of "a source of difficulty".