a very difficult problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a very difficult problem" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a challenge or issue that is particularly hard to solve or understand. Example: "The team is currently facing a very difficult problem that requires innovative solutions and collaboration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A very difficult problem to avoid, as your blogger can attest.

The Economist

Diocletian's fiscal solutions are still debated; they constitute a very difficult problem.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Conceiving a very difficult problem correctly does not mean that you can solve it.

The New Yorker

"Meeting those three requirements is a very difficult problem quite unlike other transactions," he said.

The Guardian - Tech

He laughed — "A very difficult problem," he said — and then we both fell silent.

The New Yorker

"I don't think we can simply blame them; it is a very difficult problem".

The Guardian

"There is a lot going on, but this is a very difficult problem to solve," Howard says.

The Guardian

Mr. Obama warned that if the hacking continued, Mr. Donilon said, it "was going to be a very difficult problem in the economic relationship".

The New York Times

Isn't that the truth of it?" Clegg insisted the government's plans were a "fair and progressive solution to a very difficult problem".

The Guardian

"It's a very difficult problem," the prime minister admitted with rather less certainty than he had the day before in an interview on American TV.

The Guardian

It would be difficult, now, for even the most out-of-touch Whitehall mandarin to argue that modern art was "a very difficult problem" in British culture.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a very difficult problem", ensure that the context clearly defines the specific nature of the difficulty. Providing context helps the reader understand the scale and scope of the challenge.

Common error

Avoid using "a very difficult problem" without providing sufficient context. Overstating the difficulty without justification can diminish the perceived credibility of your assessment. Instead, ground the statement in specific details or measurable criteria.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very difficult problem" functions as a noun phrase that serves as the object or subject complement within a sentence. It describes a specific issue or challenge characterized by a high degree of complexity or hardship. Ludwig AI confirms its validity through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

42%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a very difficult problem" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe challenges that are particularly complex or hard to solve. Ludwig AI's analysis, based on numerous examples, confirms its broad applicability across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic sources. While alternatives like "an extremely challenging issue" or "a particularly complex matter" exist, "a very difficult problem" remains a straightforward and widely understood way to convey the magnitude of a challenge. When using this phrase, providing specific context is key to ensuring clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an extremely challenging issue

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging" and "very" with "extremely" for emphasis.

a particularly complex matter

Substitutes "difficult" with "complex" and "problem" with "matter", suggesting intricacy.

a notably hard situation

Replaces "difficult" with "hard" and "problem" with "situation", indicating adversity.

a considerably tough challenge

Changes "difficult" to "tough" and "problem" to "challenge", highlighting resilience needed.

a substantially knotty question

Replaces "difficult" with "knotty" and "problem" with "question", emphasizing intricacy and puzzling nature.

a genuinely perplexing dilemma

Substitutes "difficult" with "perplexing" and "problem" with "dilemma", highlighting uncertainty and confusion.

a remarkably intricate puzzle

Changes "difficult" to "intricate" and "problem" to "puzzle", suggesting complexity and the need for careful solving.

a profoundly thorny predicament

Replaces "difficult" with "thorny" and "problem" with "predicament", emphasizing unpleasantness and complexity.

an exceptionally complex undertaking

Substitutes "difficult" with "complex" and "problem" with "undertaking", highlighting the demanding nature of the task.

a severely complicated quandary

Changes "difficult" to "complicated" and "problem" to "quandary", suggesting confusion and uncertainty.

FAQs

How can I use "a very difficult problem" in a sentence?

You can use "a very difficult problem" to describe a challenge that requires significant effort and resources to overcome. For example, "Solving climate change is "a very difficult problem" that demands global cooperation".

What can I say instead of "a very difficult problem"?

You can use alternatives like "an extremely challenging issue", "a particularly complex matter", or "a notably hard situation" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a difficult problem" or "a very difficult problem"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. "A very difficult problem" simply emphasizes the degree of difficulty compared to "a difficult problem".

What's the difference between "a difficult problem" and "a very difficult problem"?

The addition of "very" intensifies the degree of difficulty. "A difficult problem" implies a challenge, while "a very difficult problem" suggests the challenge is substantial and requires significant effort to resolve.