basic difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "basic difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a fundamental or primary challenge or obstacle in a particular context. Example: "The basic difficulty in learning a new language is often mastering the pronunciation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

"We probably underestimated the basic difficulty of the institutional transformation of Russia," one senior official said.

The New York Times

PT's basic difficulty is that the party has always been weaker than its charismatic leader.

The Guardian - Opinion

One basic difficulty with the piece is how to coordinate what's happening on screen with the live action on stage.

The New York Times

But those meetings 15 years ago highlight a basic difficulty in predicting what kind of regulators they would be.

The New York Times

A basic difficulty of the roofed stadium was the interference with visibility by the columns supporting the roof.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The creative writing teacher is not mistaken in ascribing this basic difficulty to a problem with point of view, but it is often the wrong problem that is being identified.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Demons present the same basic difficulties, as do fairies, and ghosts defy pretty much every biological principle: among other problems, they have no substance, require no sustenance, and do not decay or die.

The New Yorker

But Egypt extended its ban on rice trade for another year, so it is hard to see a clear pattern of improvement.This reflects one of the basic difficulties of getting coherent action in this area: countries' interests simply differ.

The Economist

Gordon Aitken of Credit Suisse First Boston said that while Royal and Sun was grappling with problems affecting the entire industry -- like rising asbestos liability, which he said had so far cost insurers $20 billion, with claims expected to total more than $60 billion -- it was also facing more basic difficulties.

The New York Times

This describes one of the basic difficulties in supervising students and fellows.

Science Magazine

This method presents two basic difficulties for any attempt to reconcile it with these doctrines.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "basic difficulty", ensure the context clearly defines what makes the difficulty fundamental. Provide specific examples to illustrate the nature and impact of the challenge.

Common error

Avoid using "basic difficulty" to describe trivial or self-evident issues. Reserve it for genuinely fundamental challenges that require significant analysis or effort to address.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "basic difficulty" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "basic" modifies the noun "difficulty". It identifies a core or fundamental problem. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science & Research

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "basic difficulty" serves to pinpoint fundamental challenges across diverse fields, spanning from journalism to scientific research. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical validity and wide applicability make it a valuable tool in written communication. While frequently encountered in news, encyclopedias and scientific publications, its usage should be reserved for substantial issues and those that require considerable effort to solve. For alternatives, consider "fundamental challenge", "primary problem", or "core issue" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fundamental challenge

Replaces 'difficulty' with 'challenge' and 'basic' with 'fundamental', emphasizing a core obstacle.

primary problem

Substitutes 'difficulty' for 'problem' and 'basic' for 'primary', highlighting the main issue.

core issue

Replaces "basic difficulty" with "core issue", indicating the central matter.

main obstacle

Changes 'difficulty' to 'obstacle' and 'basic' to 'main', pinpointing a key impediment.

key challenge

Replaces 'difficulty' with 'challenge' and 'basic' with 'key', stressing a significant hurdle.

central complication

Substitutes "basic difficulty" with "central complication", denoting a major complexity.

underlying problem

Replaces "basic" with "underlying", suggesting a less obvious but fundamental issue.

essential hurdle

Changes 'difficulty' to 'hurdle' and 'basic' to 'essential', underscoring a necessary obstacle to overcome.

root cause

Signifies a deeper, originating factor behind a problem or difficulty.

elementary struggle

Replaces "basic difficulty" with "elementary struggle", conveying a fundamental effort or challenge.

FAQs

How can I use "basic difficulty" in a sentence?

You can use "basic difficulty" to describe a fundamental problem or challenge. For example, "The "basic difficulty" in solving this puzzle is understanding the initial conditions".

What's the difference between "basic difficulty" and "main obstacle"?

"Basic difficulty" refers to a fundamental challenge, while "main obstacle" highlights the most significant impediment. The former emphasizes the foundational nature of the problem, whereas the latter focuses on the primary barrier to progress.

What can I say instead of "basic difficulty"?

You can use alternatives like "fundamental challenge", "primary problem", or "core issue" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the term "basic difficulty"?

It is appropriate to use "basic difficulty" when describing a fundamental or underlying problem that is essential to understand before addressing related issues. It's especially useful when that fundamental challenge is causing other issues.