as a possible difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a possible difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing potential challenges or obstacles that may arise in a situation or context. Example: "We should consider the budget constraints as a possible difficulty in the project's execution."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Horizontal knowledge integration is facilitated while vertical integration needs to be further developed B Handling of different views of knowledge Differences in academic and professional backgrounds are seen as both valuable and as a possible difficulty in terms of learning and communication.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

The authors discussed this association as a possible difficulty of survivors with PTSD for developing effective coping mechanisms to deal with somatic and chronic health problems or, conversely, that the latter might affect them in such a way that they are no longer able to take care of themselves.

Conflict and Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In this we have also the solution of a possible difficulty.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

If you experience the following issues, see your doctor as soon as possible: Difficulty breathing or swallowing.

WikiHow

Our criteria for evaluating DU status are effective because they focus on aspects of intraspecific diversity that are 'designatable' from the human perspective, thereby avoiding, as much as possible, difficulties related to grey areas where a threshold of discreteness or difference may be difficult to justify.

Evolutionary Applications

Budget problems have forced the state to cut back on areas in which it had previously invested — an experience some see as a possible prelude to difficulties that could occur with Race to the Top money.

The New York Times

Impaired executive control has been suggested as a possible explanation for difficulties in accessing specific autobiographical material (Dalgleish et al., 2007).

Clinical Psychological Science

Alternative response options included using the "worst possible symptom and best possible symptom" as anchor points as well as "no difficulty and worst possible difficulty".

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

As a possible response to the difficulties above, naïve HD can be enriched by the use-novelty criterion (UN) instead.

SEP

Foot disorders will be examined as a possible cause of balance difficulties that could contribute to falling.

BMC Geriatrics

As for dessert, the only possible difficulty is that it is baked at a different temperature from the pork.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a possible difficulty", ensure the context clearly identifies what is being considered a potential challenge. For instance, "The lack of funding should be considered "as a possible difficulty" in completing the project on time."

Common error

Avoid using "as a possible difficulty" when the issue is already confirmed or highly likely. In such cases, a more direct statement of the challenge is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a possible difficulty" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or clause. It introduces a consideration of a potential obstacle or challenge. Ludwig's analysis confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as a possible difficulty" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce potential challenges or obstacles. Though not exceedingly common, as confirmed by Ludwig, its use is appropriate across varied contexts, especially in professional and academic fields. When writing, ensure that the potential difficulty is clearly defined and that the phrase's level of uncertainty aligns with the context. Alternatives include "potential problem" or "likely complication", offering similar but slightly altered connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a potential problem

Replaces "possible difficulty" with "potential problem", altering the specific terminology while maintaining the overall meaning.

as a likely complication

Substitutes "possible difficulty" with "likely complication", suggesting a higher probability of the issue arising.

as a conceivable hurdle

Replaces "possible difficulty" with "conceivable hurdle", using more figurative language to describe the challenge.

as a potential snag

Substitutes "difficulty" with "snag", using a more informal term for a minor issue or obstacle.

as a foreseeable impediment

Replaces "possible difficulty" with "foreseeable impediment", suggesting that the challenge can be anticipated.

as a probable setback

Replaces "possible difficulty" with "probable setback", emphasizing the potential for a negative impact or delay.

as a risk factor

Reframes "possible difficulty" as a "risk factor", focusing on the potential for negative consequences or harm.

as a challenge that may arise

Replaces "possible difficulty" with a more descriptive phrase, clarifying that the challenge is not certain but could emerge.

as a source of potential trouble

Substitutes "difficulty" with "potential trouble", broadening the scope of the issue to include any kind of problem or disruption.

as something that could go wrong

Replaces "possible difficulty" with a general expression of potential failure or negative outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "as a possible difficulty" in a sentence?

Use "as a possible difficulty" to introduce a potential challenge or problem that may arise in a given situation. For example: "We must address staff shortages "as a possible difficulty" in maintaining service levels."

What are some alternatives to "as a possible difficulty"?

You can use alternatives such as "potential problem", "likely complication", or "conceivable hurdle" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "as a possible difficulty"?

It's appropriate to use "as a possible difficulty" when you want to acknowledge a potential issue without stating it as a certainty. This is useful in planning and risk assessment.

Is there a difference between "as a possible difficulty" and "as a potential difficulty"?

The terms "as a possible difficulty" and "as a potential difficulty" are largely interchangeable. "Potential" may suggest a slightly higher probability than "possible", but the distinction is minimal.