be fraught with difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be fraught with difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or task that is filled with challenges or problems. Example: "The project was fraught with difficulty, requiring the team to adapt quickly to unforeseen obstacles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

This, however, can be fraught with difficulty, too.

The New York Times

However, history suggests this will be fraught with difficulty.

The Guardian - Opinion

Crowd estimates can be fraught with difficulty and there is indeed no official figure.

The Guardian

But his weekend back at his old college is to be fraught with difficulty.

The Guardian - Film

The lesson is probably that it will happen, but getting there will be fraught with difficulty.

The New York Times

Working out the functions of various features of long extinct animals can be fraught with difficulty.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

But reopening the deal would be fraught with difficulties.

The New York Times

But Paul Marsh, president of the Law Society, warned such a move could be "fraught with difficulties".

The Guardian - Money

A merger with Sprint Nextel may sound good in theory, but would be fraught with difficulties.

The New York Times

Preemptive drainage of dangerous lakes can be fraught with difficulties and may not be successful (Lagmay et al. [2007]).

Journal of Applied Volcanology

However, RDTs are immunoassays which may be fraught with difficulties including those associated with accurate interpretation.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be fraught with difficulty", ensure that the context clearly identifies what specific difficulties are involved, or at least alludes to them. This helps to provide a clearer understanding of the challenges at hand.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "be fraught with difficulty" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "be challenging" or "be tough" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be fraught with difficulty" functions as a predicative adjective, describing a noun (situation, task, etc.) as being filled with problems or challenges. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be fraught with difficulty" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression to convey that a situation or task is replete with challenges. According to Ludwig, it is considered grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts. While usable in multiple scenarios, it leans slightly toward the formal side. Its usage is notably prevalent in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. Remember to consider simpler alternatives like "be challenging" or "be tough" for informal conversations. By understanding these aspects, you can effectively use "be fraught with difficulty" or its alternatives to communicate the presence of significant obstacles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be filled with challenges

Emphasizes the presence of numerous challenges instead of general difficulty.

be laden with problems

Highlights the abundance of problems affecting a situation.

pose significant obstacles

Focuses on the obstacles that a situation presents.

present considerable hurdles

Similar to obstacles, but emphasizes the effort required to overcome them.

be a recipe for disaster

Indicates a high likelihood of failure or negative outcomes.

involve considerable risk

Highlights the potential for negative consequences.

be an uphill battle

Suggests a prolonged and strenuous effort will be needed.

encounter numerous setbacks

Focuses on the experience of facing repeated delays or failures.

bristle with complications

Emphasizes the intricate and entangled nature of the difficulties.

be a minefield

Implies hidden dangers and the need for extreme caution.

FAQs

How can I use "be fraught with difficulty" in a sentence?

You can use "be fraught with difficulty" to describe a situation or task that is filled with challenges. For example, "Negotiating the contract was fraught with difficulty".

What are some alternatives to "be fraught with difficulty"?

Alternatives include "be filled with challenges", "be laden with problems", or "present considerable hurdles".

Is "be fraught with difficulty" formal or informal?

"Be fraught with difficulty" leans towards the formal side. In more casual contexts, simpler phrases like "be tough" or "be challenging" might be more appropriate.

What does it mean for something to "be fraught with difficulty"?

It means that something is likely to encounter numerous problems, obstacles, or challenges, making it hard to accomplish or resolve.