are fraught with difficulties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are fraught with difficulties" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe situations, tasks, or experiences that are filled with challenges or obstacles. Example: "The negotiations for the peace treaty are fraught with difficulties, as both sides have conflicting interests."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Government measures to "rescue and reintegrate" them into their home communities are fraught with difficulties and limitations.

Harvard University

Twickenham and Wembley Stadium are the two choices for the club, but both are fraught with difficulties.

Independent

Meeting Millennium Development Goals on water and sanitation services in developing countries are fraught with difficulties, as can be seen most clearly from the experiences of Malawi and Zambia, two of the world's poorest countries that have committed to meeting these goals.

Geoforum

By the World Bank's definition, you are poor if your purchasing power (ie, your command over goods and services) is less than that of an American subsisting on $1.25 a day in 2005.That's simplifying a bit, because international comparisons of purchasing power are fraught with difficulties.

The Economist

Development perspectives of such regions are fraught with difficulties.

European Journal of Futures Research

We concur with the thoughtful conclusions and the caveats raised by Beck, and believe that attempts to define tool use simply, non-arbitrarily, and non-circularly are fraught with difficulties.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Plays about painters are fraught with difficulty.

The Guardian

And attempts to correct statistically after the fact are fraught with difficulty.

The New York Times - Health

The proposals for the reform of school food are fraught with difficulty, claims and counterclaims.

The Guardian - Opinion

Population projections are fraught with difficulty, points out Andrew Hinde of Southampton University.

The Economist

Cohabitee property disputes are fraught with difficulty for any lawyer attempting to advise.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation as "are fraught with difficulties", be specific about the nature of the difficulties involved to provide clarity and context for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "are fraught with difficulties" as a cliché. Ensure the context genuinely warrants such a strong description and that simpler language wouldn't suffice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are fraught with difficulties" functions as a descriptive predicate, modifying a noun or noun phrase to indicate that it is characterized by numerous problems or challenges. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

41%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are fraught with difficulties" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe situations laden with challenges. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves to highlight potential problems and warn of complications across various contexts including science, news, and academia. While versatile, writers should avoid overuse and ensure its intensity matches the context. Consider alternatives like "are filled with challenges" or "involve considerable hardship" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are filled with challenges

Replaces 'fraught with difficulties' with a more direct expression of facing challenges.

are beset with problems

Uses 'beset' to emphasize being troubled or harassed by problems.

are laden with complications

Emphasizes the heavy burden of complications involved.

present numerous obstacles

Shifts the focus to the obstacles themselves rather than the state of being 'fraught'.

involve considerable hardship

Highlights the aspect of hardship and suffering.

entail significant setbacks

Focuses on the likelihood of setbacks occurring.

are not without their challenges

A more understated way of acknowledging difficulties.

pose substantial hurdles

Highlights the existence of hurdles that need to be overcome.

bristle with complexities

Uses 'bristle' to suggest an abundance of complex issues.

suffer from major impediments

Suggests that progress is actively being hindered.

FAQs

How can I use "are fraught with difficulties" in a sentence?

You can use "are fraught with difficulties" to describe situations or tasks that are full of challenges, for example, "Negotiations with the rebels "are fraught with difficulties" because neither side is willing to compromise".

What are some alternatives to "are fraught with difficulties"?

Alternatives include "are filled with challenges", "are beset with problems", or "involve considerable hardship" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "are fraught with difficulties" or "have difficulties"?

"Are fraught with difficulties" implies a more severe and pervasive level of difficulty than simply "have difficulties". The choice depends on the intensity you wish to convey.

What is the difference between "are fraught with difficulties" and "present challenges"?

"Are fraught with difficulties" suggests that the difficulties are inherent and pervasive, while "present challenges" indicates that challenges exist but may be more manageable or temporary.