a widespread difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a widespread difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a problem or challenge that is common or prevalent in a particular context or among a group of people. Example: "The pandemic has created a widespread difficulty in accessing healthcare services for many individuals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A widespread difficulty in reaching social media websites such as Twitter and Facebook as well as messaging app WhatsApp was also reported across Turkey after the detentions started at midnight.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Anthem, a unit of industry giant WellPoint Inc., said there's no evidence that Californians are having widespread difficulty finding a network doctor.

Los Angeles Times

These studies all suggest that in healthcare there is widespread difficulty in achieving the endoscope manufacturers recommended manual cleaning and that great variability exists in the manual cleaning currently being performed.

BMC Infectious Diseases

People from different LA countries have little access to private medicine and disparities in access to the public healthcare system, with widespread difficulty to obtain specialized medical attention in both.

Clinical Rheumatology

Thousands of New Jersey doctors failed to renew their licenses by a state deadline after widespread difficulties with a new licensing form, state officials and physicians' groups said today.

The New York Times

Former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola is off the shortlist after agreeing to take over at Bayern Munich at the end of the season and Wilkins predicts more widespread difficulties attracting a potential replacement for Benitez.

Independent

Another moderate snow event occurred from December 12 25, 2008, when over one foot (30 cm) of snow fell and stuck on much of the roads over those two weeks, when temperatures remained below 32 °F, causing widespread difficulties in a city not equipped for clearing snow.

Wikipedia

Economic data may be best left unparsed these days, but other developments would provide early evidence of more widespread difficulties, Mr. Yardeni said.

The New York Times

Financial analysts said that the company's impressive performance in view of the widespread difficulties of many of its hardware business partners highlighted the company's remarkable business position.

The New York Times

Congress, moreover, enacted the individual mandate in conjunction with its market reforms because it was acutely aware of the widespread difficulties that had arisen from the efforts of states to implement similar insurance market reforms without the economic counterbalance of an individual mandate," the insurers say.

The New York Times

This go-to excuse speaks to the widespread difficulties most organizations have with data accuracy and consistency.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a widespread difficulty", ensure the context clearly defines what is experiencing the difficulty and why. Specificity enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a widespread difficulty" as a vague statement. Provide specific examples or data to support the claim that the difficulty is indeed widespread. Without substantiation, the phrase lacks credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a widespread difficulty" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a problem or challenge that is experienced by many or present in many places. Ludwig AI suggests that it describes something that is commonly encountered.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

31%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a widespread difficulty" is a commonly used phrase to denote a problem or challenge that affects many people or places. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While generally appropriate, ensure to provide specific context and examples to support the claim that the difficulty is, in fact, widespread. Consider using alternative phrases like "a common problem" or "a prevalent challenge" to achieve a similar effect. By following these guidelines, you can effectively and accurately communicate the presence and scope of a given difficulty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a common problem

Replaces 'difficulty' with the more general term 'problem', emphasizing the shared nature of the issue.

a prevalent challenge

Substitutes 'widespread' with 'prevalent' and 'difficulty' with 'challenge', conveying a sense of common adversity.

a widespread issue

Replaces 'difficulty' with 'issue', making the phrase more neutral in tone.

a common struggle

Emphasizes the effort and hardship involved, changing 'difficulty' to 'struggle'.

a prevalent concern

Shifts the focus to worry or anxiety associated with the issue, replacing 'difficulty' with 'concern'.

a widespread obstacle

Presents the difficulty as something that blocks progress, using 'obstacle' instead of 'difficulty'.

a frequent complication

Highlights the complexity and entanglement introduced by the difficulty, substituting 'difficulty' with 'complication'.

a general hardship

Replaces "widespread" with general and "difficulty" with hardship. This version emphasizes the suffering and negative impact.

a broad challenge

Substitutes 'widespread' with 'broad' and 'difficulty' with 'challenge', conveying a sense of common adversity.

a notable setback

Shifts the focus to the negative impact and delay caused, using 'setback' instead of 'difficulty'.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a widespread difficulty" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "a prevalent challenge" or "a notable impediment". These options convey a similar meaning with a higher degree of sophistication.

What are some synonyms for "widespread" when describing a difficulty?

Alternatives to "widespread" include "common", "prevalent", "general", and "rampant". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "a widespread difficulty" in academic writing?

While generally acceptable, consider the specific context. In some cases, a more precise term might be preferable. For instance, instead of "a widespread difficulty in data analysis", you could say "a common challenge in data analysis".

How does "a widespread difficulty" differ from "a localized difficulty"?

"A widespread difficulty" implies that the problem affects many people or areas, while "a localized difficulty" suggests that the problem is limited to a specific group or location. The key difference is the scope of the issue.