a time of difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a time of difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a specific time in the past or present when someone or something is facing a challenge or going through a hard period. For example, "The family has been going through a time of difficulty since their father passed away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"It's a time of difficulty, time of challenges".

The New York Times

But he allowed that the policy "could help the restaurant greatly in a time of difficulty".

The New York Times - Food

At a time of difficulty last year I found comfort in yoga.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Historical analogies are hard to resist, especially in a time of difficulty, because they help us identify patterns.

The New Yorker

Rather than rely on opinion polls in a time of difficulty, I would rather wait for the real polls in May.

The Guardian

He did it at a time of difficulty in his campaign -- polls suggest that he is facing a defeat in the voting here next Tuesday.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"At a time of difficulties and many uncertainties and risks, people certainly choose stability and trust the country's leading political force and the government," he said, according to a meeting transcript on the Kremlin website.

The New York Times

"At a time of difficulties, considerable uncertainty and risks, people naturally choose stability and trust the leading political force," said Putin following the vote.

Huffington Post

I think that at a time of economic difficulty, people were nervous of change.

The Guardian

A putsch might mean months of self-indulgent ministerial introspection at a time of economic difficulty.

The Economist

The panel was impressed by the way Keating had juggled the demands of both channels at a time of financial difficulty and huge change at the BBC.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a time of difficulty", be specific about the nature of the difficulty to provide clarity and context for your audience. For example, instead of simply stating "it was a time of difficulty", specify "it was a time of economic difficulty" or "a time of personal difficulty".

Common error

Avoid using "a time of difficulty" without providing sufficient context. Readers may struggle to understand the full impact or relevance of the situation if the specific challenges are not clearly identified.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a time of difficulty" functions as a noun phrase that serves as an adjective modifier describing a period or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form. It typically appears after prepositions like 'in' or 'at', providing context to events or actions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

8.33%

Encyclopedias

8.33%

Less common in

Lifestyle

8.33%

Sport

8.33%

Science

8.33%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a time of difficulty" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a period marked by challenges or hardships. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable in English. The phrase maintains a neutral register and appears across various contexts, primarily in news and media. It's crucial to provide specific context when using this phrase to ensure clarity. Related alternatives include ""a challenging period"" and ""a period of hardship"". By understanding its function and usage, you can effectively incorporate "a time of difficulty" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging period

Emphasizes the demanding aspect, requiring effort and skill.

a trying time

Focuses on the emotionally taxing aspect of the period.

a period of hardship

Emphasizes the challenging and demanding nature of the time.

a moment of adversity

Highlights the presence of unfavorable or challenging circumstances.

a tough situation

Highlights the unfavorable circumstances and the need for resilience.

a season of struggle

Implies a longer duration of difficulty, like a season.

a crisis situation

Conveys a sense of urgency and potential danger.

a phase of tribulation

Suggests a severe trial or suffering.

a spell of adversity

Similar to moment, but indicates adversity.

a problematic phase

Highlights existence of problems and the potential need for solutions.

FAQs

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

You can use "a time of difficulty" to describe a period marked by challenges. For example, "The company experienced "a time of difficulty" due to the economic downturn".

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

Some alternatives include "a challenging period", "a period of hardship", or "a trying time". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "a time of difficulty" or "difficult times"?

Both "a time of difficulty" and "difficult times" are correct. "A time of difficulty" often refers to a specific instance, while "difficult times" can be a more general reference to a challenging period.

What is the difference between "a time of difficulty" and "a time of crisis"?

"A time of difficulty" suggests challenges and hardships, while "a time of crisis" implies a more acute and urgent situation that requires immediate action.