big difficulties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "big difficulties" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to significant challenges or obstacles that a person or group may face. Example: The company is facing big difficulties due to the current economic downturn.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"We have big difficulties with Moscow," he said.

The Guardian

"Almost all kinds of service and charity NGOs will be confronting very big difficulties," Lu added.

The Guardian

If you have big difficulties with the butterfly, you can substitute it for another.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As for the garment industry, if China were to stop supplying materials, the industry would face big difficulties".

The Economist

That would leave more time for actual education, which would make a nice change.But there are big difficulties.

The Economist

The Chinese prime minister, Wen Jiabao, called on Wednesday for rapid adoption of policies meant to stimulate growth, saying "big difficulties" continued to confront the nation, Reuters reported.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Language is another big difficulty.

The Economist

That was a big difficulty".

The New York Times - Science

The big difficulty is that haves and have nots alike face the same prices for food.

The Economist

The big difficulty is that I need people who can be at my disposal the whole time.

The New Yorker

"We fear the company is having big difficulty porting native e-mail to the BlackBerry 10 O.S.," Mr. Kreher said.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing specific "big difficulties", provide context and detail to clarify the nature and impact of these challenges for better understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "big difficulties" when describing minor inconveniences. Reserve the phrase for genuinely significant challenges to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "big difficulties" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause, describing the state or condition of facing substantial challenges, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "big difficulties" is a grammatically sound and commonly understood expression used to denote significant challenges or obstacles. Ludwig confirms its correctness and provides examples across various contexts. While not overly formal, it's suitable for general usage, especially when accurately portraying the scale of the challenges. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase frequently appears in "News & Media" and "Science", reflecting its utility in reporting and analyzing complex issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serious challenges

Focuses on the demanding nature of the difficulties.

grave issues

Emphasizes the serious and concerning nature of the difficulties.

significant hurdles

Highlights obstacles that require effort to overcome.

formidable problems

Stresses the scale and complexity of issues.

substantial obstacles

Highlights the magnitude and obstructiveness of the barriers.

major setbacks

Emphasizes hindrances in progress.

considerable hardships

Focuses on the adverse conditions and suffering involved.

severe complications

Highlights the complex and often negative outcomes.

notable struggles

Emphasizes the effort and difficulty in overcoming challenges.

tough predicaments

Indicates complex and unfavorable situations.

FAQs

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

You can use "big difficulties" to describe significant challenges or problems. For example, "The project faced "big difficulties" due to lack of funding".

What are some alternatives to saying "big difficulties"?

Alternatives include "major setbacks", "serious challenges", or "formidable problems", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "big difficulties" or "major difficulties"?

"Big difficulties" and "major difficulties" are largely interchangeable, but "major difficulties" might sound slightly more formal. The best choice depends on the overall tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "big difficulties" and "small difficulties"?

"Big difficulties" refer to significant challenges that have a substantial impact, while "small difficulties" refer to minor problems or inconveniences that are easily resolved.