an immediate difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an immediate difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a problem or challenge that requires prompt attention or resolution. Example: "The team faced an immediate difficulty when the server crashed during the presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Never, ever choose "woman" on your first playthrough of The Internet, because you'll face an immediate difficulty spike.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their very fineness, however, presents an immediate difficulty as until the development of the scanning electron microscope (SEM) in the 1960s it was impossible to accurately determine the cross-section of fibers.

Reference Module in Materials Science and Materials Engineering

Goodman's insight about grid patterns and pictures suggests an immediate difficulty for explaining the digital status of images displayed on LCD screens: Clearly it will not be sufficient to point out that such images are pixellated, and therefore made up of small identical building blocks that impose a lower limit on the differences between display-instances.

SEP

In tracking the bilateral spending, an immediate difficulty arises in reporting ODA committed to HRH strengthening.

Human Resources for Health

If you've Jerry-rigged something to get through an immediate difficulty, make sure to do a proper job of repairing it as soon as possible.

WikiHow

An immediate difficulty in accessing a network inference method lies in the fact that current biological knowledge is far from sufficient to provide a clear picture.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

There is a more immediate difficulty located in the very structure of the 1976 lectures.

History of the Human Sciences

However, there were quite a few immediate difficulties for this event to occur.

Biology Direct

But even if the immediate difficulty passes, Europe remains a thorny issue for all three main parties.

The Economist

"If they withdraw their support a number of clubs would be in immediate difficulty - we shouldn't entirely rely on that sort of support".

BBC

Mr Ciampi's refusal to run again has increased the chances of the job going to Massimo D'Alema, a former prime minister who previously had hopes of winning the speakership of the lower house, which went to Fausto Bertinotti, a harder-line former communist.If Mr D'Alema gets the nod, it could ease Mr Prodi's immediate difficulty, which is to form a government agreeable to his allies.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an immediate difficulty", ensure the context clearly defines what makes the difficulty 'immediate'. Providing specific details enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "an immediate difficulty" when the problem is not truly urgent or pressing. Overusing 'immediate' can dilute its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an immediate difficulty" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a problem or challenge requiring prompt attention. It is typically used to introduce an issue that needs to be resolved quickly, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an immediate difficulty" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a pressing problem requiring swift resolution. As Ludwig's analysis and examples show, it's most commonly found in science, news, and general contexts, signaling the urgency of the issue at hand. While recognized as correct, it’s advisable to ensure the 'immediacy' is justified to avoid overstating the situation. Alternative phrases like "a pressing problem" or "an urgent challenge" can offer nuanced variations. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is both correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pressing problem

Emphasizes the urgency and need for quick resolution.

an urgent challenge

Highlights the demanding nature and the need for prompt action.

a critical obstacle

Focuses on the importance of the difficulty and its impact on progress.

an acute issue

Indicates a sharp and severe problem requiring immediate attention.

a sudden setback

Highlights the unexpected nature and the hindrance it causes.

a time-sensitive problem

Explicitly states that the problem needs to be resolved quickly.

a prompt challenge

Uses 'prompt' to mean immediate or without delay.

an instant complication

Focuses on the abrupt and intricate nature of the difficulty.

an emergent issue

Highlights the rising or developing nature of the difficulty.

a swift impediment

Emphasizes the quick and obstructive nature of the difficulty.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "an immediate difficulty" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives such as "a pressing problem", "an urgent challenge", or "a critical obstacle" depending on the context. Each alternative emphasizes a different aspect of the difficulty.

What does "an immediate difficulty" imply?

The phrase implies that there is a problem or challenge that needs to be addressed quickly and without delay, otherwise negative consequences may occur.

Is there a difference between "an immediate difficulty" and "a future difficulty"?

Yes, "an immediate difficulty" refers to a problem that is happening now or very soon, while "a future difficulty" refers to a problem that is expected to happen later. The key difference is the timing and urgency.

Can "an immediate difficulty" be positive?

While the word "difficulty" generally implies a negative situation, the impact can sometimes be positive if the challenge is overcome quickly and efficiently, leading to growth or improvement.