amidst difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

"amidst difficulty" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express that something happens despite the presence of difficult or unfavorable circumstances. For example: "We managed to finish the project amidst difficulty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

However, amidst difficulty lies opportunity, because by merely channeling their resources in the right direction, owners of online startups can not only sustain their businesses, but can actually churn out profits.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But it was her remarkable capacity for love, her wry sense of humor and her ability to bring a smile to others, sometimes amidst great difficulty, that mark her legacy.

The New York Times

Amidst these difficulties some inorganic nanoparticles of iron oxide (ION) were able to reach the brain in significant concentrations in experimental animals [26].

Chemistry Central Journal

Amidst these difficulties you have to make your way, and strengthen the state for the future, not in arms only and against the enemy, but also in the kindly arts of peace, a task far, far thornier.

University of Chicago

And if there is a difficulty amidst all of this -- like, suddenly it becomes too much or it doesn't look like it's going to work out -- we can talk about that too.

Huffington Post

5.50pm BST As Italy's government struggles with its financial difficulties amidst the threat of a collapse of the fragile coalition, the International Monetary Fund had chosen this moment to issue its latest report on the country.

The Guardian - Business

The head of the Executive may, by an infinitesimal chance, be a man so exactly representative of the people, that his acts always represent their thoughts, so shrewd that he can steer his way amidst the legal difficulties piled deliberately in his path, and so good that he desires power only for the national ends.

The Economist

It was a matter of difficulty, and a hard task, amidst so much rubbish, to discover and re-determine the consecrated places; but by the zeal of Camillus, and the incessant labour of the priests, it was at last accomplished.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The association of increasingly resistant candidal species causing candidemia and their associated worsened outcomes may be explained by the difficulty of targeting initial empiric therapy amidst the shifting landscape of antifungal susceptibility.

Critical Care

With isolated platoons still in contact with the Germans and amidst high winds and a heavy downpour of rain, the New Zealanders had difficulty disengaging.

Wikipedia

The mixed message comes amidst the freight of a foreign policy featuring drone strikes in Muslim countries, a reluctance to foreclose on indefinite detention that functionally is only aimed at Muslims, and difficulty concluding the war in Afghanistan – all of which have strained relations with American-Muslim communities.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "amidst difficulty", ensure the surrounding context clearly defines the nature of the difficulty. Specificity enhances the impact of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "amidst difficulty" when a simpler preposition like "during" or "in" would suffice. "Amidst" implies a surrounding or enveloping context of difficulty, not just a single challenge. For example, instead of writing "He thrived amidst the single difficulty", prefer writing "He thrived despite the single difficulty."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "amidst difficulty" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by indicating the circumstances or conditions under which an action takes place or a state exists. Ludwig AI confirms it's a usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

28%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

8%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "amidst difficulty" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to describe situations where something occurs within a challenging environment. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's considered correct and usable in written English. While not extremely common, the phrase appears in reputable sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and academic publications. Related phrases, such as "in the face of difficulty" and "despite the hardship", offer alternative ways to convey similar meanings, and can be used to avoid repetition or add emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the face of difficulty

Replaces "amidst" with "in the face of", focusing on confronting the difficulty.

despite the hardship

Emphasizes the hardship being overcome, instead of the surrounding environment implied by "amidst".

in the midst of adversity

Uses "adversity" for a stronger sense of challenge, changing the specific noun but retaining the core meaning.

during challenging times

Shifts the focus to a period of time, using "challenging times" as a substitute.

notwithstanding the difficulties

Employs a more formal tone, directly acknowledging the presence of difficulties.

in spite of the tough times

Offers a more colloquial alternative, replacing "difficulty" with "tough times".

even with the problems

Simplifies the language, focusing on the presence of "problems".

under difficult circumstances

Changes the phrase to describe the context, rather than the direct experience.

through the trials

Emphasizes overcoming the difficulty, framing it as "trials".

against a backdrop of challenges

Presents the challenges as a background element, using a more descriptive and evocative style.

FAQs

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

"Amidst difficulty" is typically used to describe a situation where something positive or significant occurs despite challenging circumstances. For example: "They found success amidst difficulty" or "The project was completed amidst difficulty and setbacks".

What are some alternatives to "amidst difficulty"?

You can use alternatives such as "in the face of difficulty", "despite the hardship", or "in the midst of adversity" to convey a similar meaning as "amidst difficulty".

Is "amidst difficulty" formal or informal?

"Amidst difficulty" is generally considered to be a neutral to slightly formal phrase. While it can be used in various contexts, it's more common in written communication or formal speech.

What's the difference between "despite difficulty" and "amidst difficulty"?

"Despite difficulty" emphasizes overcoming or disregarding the challenge, while "amidst difficulty" highlights something happening within the context of ongoing challenges. The former focuses on overcoming, the latter on existing within.