at difficulties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at difficulties" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not commonly used, and the intended meaning may be better expressed with a different phrase. Example: "She found herself at difficulties when trying to solve the complex problem."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"She is very good at difficulties and tension.

The Guardian - Film

The fourth page hints at difficulties to come.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Ward hints at difficulties of manipulation which are quite conceivable.

Nature

Sex therapy, form of behaviour modification or psychotherapy directed specifically at difficulties in sexual interaction.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr Cameron hinted at difficulties in the new system last week.

Independent

"Among other things, this will specifically look at difficulties consumers may be having obtaining PAC codes," an Ofcom spokesperson says.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Our results concern workers with RA who experienced at least minor difficulties at work.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

"I always worry at the difficulties," he admits.

The Guardian

They tell stories and laugh at their difficulties.

The New York Times

But looking at the difficulties they encountered, one senses a pattern.

The Washington Post

No one even hinted at the difficulties in finding a way forward.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "at difficulties" in formal writing. Opt for more grammatically sound alternatives like "in difficulty" or "experiencing difficulties".

Common error

A common mistake is using "at" instead of "in" when describing a state of being in a difficult situation. Remember that "in" is generally used to indicate location or state, while "at" indicates a specific point or location.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at difficulties" functions as a prepositional phrase, attempting to describe a state or situation. However, according to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically incorrect. Examples in Ludwig show its use across various contexts, but this does not validate its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "at difficulties" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. Its intended meaning is to describe a state of facing problems, but this is better conveyed using alternative phrases such as "in difficulty" or "experiencing difficulties". Given its grammatical issues, it's best to avoid "at difficulties" in formal writing and opt for more standard expressions. Although it appears quite frequently, appearing in News & Media and Science, it's register isn't appropriate for formal contexts. Therefore, always consider context and accuracy to ensure clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in difficulty

Replaces "at" with "in" to form a more grammatically correct prepositional phrase indicating a state of being.

experiencing difficulties

Replaces the prepositional phrase with a verb phrase, indicating the action of encountering problems.

facing challenges

Substitutes "difficulties" with "challenges", offering a more positive framing of the situation.

encountering obstacles

Replaces "difficulties" with "obstacles", highlighting the barriers being faced.

grappling with problems

Uses a more vivid verb phrase to describe the struggle against difficulties.

in a predicament

Shifts the focus to the state of being in a difficult situation.

having a hard time

Offers a more informal way to express the experience of difficulties.

struggling with issues

Emphasizes the ongoing effort to overcome the difficulties.

undergoing hardship

Highlights the suffering associated with the difficulties.

in adverse circumstances

Focuses on the unfavorable conditions causing the difficulties.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "at difficulties"?

While the phrase "at difficulties" is not considered grammatically correct, you can use alternatives such as "in difficulty", "experiencing difficulties", or "facing challenges".

Is it correct to say "at difficulties"?

No, it's generally not considered correct. The more accepted phrasing is "in difficulty" or "experiencing difficulties".

How can I use "experiencing difficulties" in a sentence?

You can say, "The company is experiencing difficulties due to the recent economic downturn" or "Many students are experiencing difficulties with the new curriculum".

Which is more appropriate, "at difficulties" or "in difficulties"?

"In difficulties" is more appropriate and grammatically sound. "At difficulties" is rarely used and can sound awkward.