acute difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acute difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or problem that is particularly severe or intense in nature. Example: "The team faced acute difficulty in meeting the project deadline due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The royal marriage is already in acute difficulty, however.

The Guardian

He would not have needed to be told of the acute difficulty his lapse had caused.

The Guardian

Please bear in mind, though, that this acute difficulty may make a subsequent overall situation impossible.

The New Yorker

"Everyone genuinely tried to do their best in good faith for the country in circumstances of acute difficulty.

The New York Times

The row underlines the acute difficulty the government is facing in responding to the wave of price rises being announced by the energy companies.

The Guardian - Money

This week, the thinktank Civitas warned that the DWP should ease benefit sanction rules and give vulnerable claimants a grace period during times of "acute difficulty".

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

They are suffering as much as any population in conflict this century, and are posing acute difficulties to neighbouring states.

The Guardian - Opinion

The upshot, he said, was "acute difficulties for some judicial districts".

The New York Times

During the exceptional liquidity problems surrounding the 2008 banking crisis, for example, some suggested that Libor was too low given the acute difficulties in actually borrowing money.

The Guardian

Where does it leave the chief of the general staff if his predecessor is in the ministerial team?" Turnbull said there would be acute difficulties when the Tories, if elected, launch the first strategic defence review in a decade.

The Guardian

The government's rescue of Wall Street combined with the acute difficulties of a middle class struggling to get by on stagnant or falling incomes has sharpened resentments.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "acute difficulty", ensure the context clearly indicates the sudden or severe nature of the problem. This helps convey the urgency or intensity effectively.

Common error

While "acute difficulty" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler terms like "big problem" or "tough challenge" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acute difficulty" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "acute" modifies the noun "difficulty". It is used to describe a situation or problem that is particularly severe or intense. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts, reinforcing its descriptive function. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acute difficulty" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase to describe a sudden and intense problem. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and examples from Ludwig highlight its presence across diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal business communications. While versatile, it's essential to consider the formality of the setting and opt for simpler alternatives like "serious problem" or "tough challenge" in casual conversations. Remember to use "acute difficulty" when you want to emphasize the sudden or severe nature of a problem.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

severe challenge

Replaces "difficulty" with "challenge" and "acute" with "severe", emphasizing the demanding nature of the situation.

intense hardship

Substitutes both words for synonyms that evoke a greater sense of suffering and adversity.

serious predicament

Replaces the original phrase with terms that denote a particularly troublesome or dangerous situation.

critical obstacle

Emphasizes that the difficulty is a barrier and crucial in nature, needing immediate attention.

grave complication

Suggests a situation that has become complex and threatening, demanding careful consideration.

extreme adversity

Indicates a state of great misfortune or hardship, amplifying the severity of the original phrase.

significant setback

Highlights that the difficulty has caused a noticeable delay or reversal in progress.

major impediment

Stresses that the difficulty is a substantial hindrance preventing progress.

considerable struggle

Focuses on the effort and challenge involved in overcoming the difficulty.

substantial hurdle

Highlights that the difficulty is a significant obstacle to be overcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "acute difficulty" to describe a sudden or severe problem. For example, "The company experienced "acute difficulty" when the supply chain was disrupted."

What are some alternatives to "acute difficulty"?

Alternatives include "severe challenge", "intense hardship", or "serious predicament" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "acute difficulty" or "serious difficulty"?

"Acute difficulty" implies a sudden and intense problem, whereas "serious difficulty" suggests a problem that is significant but not necessarily sudden. Choose the phrase that best reflects the nature of the problem you're describing.

What is the difference between "acute difficulty" and "acute crisis"?

"Acute difficulty" describes a challenging situation, while "acute crisis" suggests a turning point or emergency situation that demands immediate attention. A difficulty can be a crisis, but not all difficulties reach that level.