avoid the difficulty of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avoid the difficulty of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing strategies or methods to circumvent challenges or obstacles in a particular situation. Example: "To ensure a smoother project timeline, we should find ways to avoid the difficulty of unexpected delays."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

To avoid the difficulty of long lockups, firms have adjusted.

The New York Times

We thereby avoid the difficulty of tracking the interfaces in three dimensions.

Acta Materialia

This approach would avoid the difficulty of developing one giant ship with equipment and supplies for a round trip.

The New York Times - Science

A constraint handling strategy without penalty parameters is proposed to avoid the difficulty of penalty parameter selection.

Neurocomputing

Speaking during a conference call with journalists on Tuesday, Mr. Kirk did not avoid the difficulty of selling Doha in the United States.

The New York Times

She didn't need it to buck traffic or to avoid the difficulty of finding a parking space, the motives for many Europeans who buy scooters.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Based upon this, one must create an algorithm to avoid the difficulties of the algorithmization procedure.

Procedia Engineering

This technique lets her avoid the difficulties of writing about the fatwa against Salman Rushdie, who set part of "The Satanic Verses" in what he called "Brickhall".

The New York Times - Books

By the third time, you think that the filmmakers have found a convenient way to avoid the difficulties of constructing a plot that makes emotional sense.

The New Yorker

This new approach to variable stiffness design can enable off-line planning of the internal force to avoid the difficulties of on-line control of the internal force.

Chinese Journal of Aeronautics

In order to avoid the difficulties of solvent stability of the C60 films, acetone was used as the process solvent for spin coating.

Organic Electronics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity in technical or scientific writing, use “avoid the difficulty of” to clearly state the purpose of a method or technique.

Common error

While grammatically correct, repeatedly using "avoid the difficulty of" can make your writing monotonous. Vary your phrasing with synonyms such as "sidestep", "circumvent", or "mitigate" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avoid the difficulty of" functions as a connector, specifically indicating a purpose or intention to prevent or circumvent a challenging aspect of a situation. This is supported by Ludwig's examples which consistently show the phrase used to introduce strategies or methods designed to sidestep obstacles.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

33%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "avoid the difficulty of" serves as a useful tool for conveying the purpose of preventing a specific challenge, as confirmed by Ludwig. While generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts, it sees frequent use in scientific and technical writing. Varying your phrasing is recommended to avoid repetitiveness. Ludwig's analysis highlights that this phrase is grammatically correct and well-understood, providing valuable insights for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sidestep the problem of

Focuses on evading a problem, suggesting a more tactical approach compared to directly avoiding a difficulty.

circumvent the challenge of

Implies using ingenuity to overcome an obstacle, adding a layer of cleverness not present in the original phrase.

evade the complexities of

Highlights the act of dodging something complex, emphasizing intricacy more than inherent difficulty.

bypass the issue of

Suggests moving past an issue without directly confronting it, implying a potential for the issue to remain unresolved.

mitigate the burden of

Shifts the focus to lessening a weight or responsibility, rather than avoiding a difficulty altogether.

escape the predicament of

Emphasizes freeing oneself from a troublesome situation, adding a sense of urgency or danger.

negate the need to

Concentrates on removing the requirement for something, rather than avoiding an inherent difficulty.

obviate the requirement for

Formally suggests rendering something unnecessary, focusing on eliminating a prerequisite rather than avoiding a difficulty.

dodge the burden of

Focuses on avoiding something seen as troublesome or a responsibility, adding a layer of cleverness not present in the original phrase.

steer clear of the pitfalls of

Implies navigating carefully to avoid potential dangers or mistakes, adding a cautioning element.

FAQs

How can I use "avoid the difficulty of" in a sentence?

The phrase "avoid the difficulty of" is used to indicate a method or strategy to prevent a challenging situation. For example: "To streamline the process, we aim to "avoid the difficulty of" manual data entry by implementing automated systems."

What are some alternatives to "avoid the difficulty of"?

You can use alternatives like "sidestep the problem of", "circumvent the challenge of", or "bypass the issue of" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "avoid the difficulty of" or "avoid the challenges of"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "avoid the difficulty of" focuses on a specific challenging aspect, while "avoid the challenges of" is more general and encompasses multiple potential difficulties.

How formal is the phrase "avoid the difficulty of"?

The phrase "avoid the difficulty of" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in more formal settings, consider using more sophisticated synonyms like "obviate the requirement for" or "mitigate the burden of" for a more elevated tone.