cause difficulties

USAGE SUMMARY

"cause difficulties" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about something that makes a situation hard or problematic. For example: "Working from home has caused difficulties for many businesses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The spatial and temporal senses seldom cause difficulties.

The Guardian

Such influences cause difficulties and make a critical approach mandatory.

Britannica

Whether the Houston investigation will cause difficulties for Clemens remains to be seen.

The New York Times - Sports

But he said some developing countries were likely to cause difficulties.

The Guardian

— a line that the Russians knew would cause difficulties between the Americans and their E.U. counterparts.

The New Yorker

They are just as likely to cause difficulties as they are to prevent them.

The Guardian - Sport

Many aspects of a standard theatre experience can cause difficulties for autistic people.

The Guardian

It may cause difficulties for maintaining the unity of the socialist countries.

The New York Times

This could cause difficulties for anyone who has a contract with them.

The Guardian - Money

"On the other hand, we could cause difficulties for the Americans.

The New York Times

It is a time of major physical change, which can cause difficulties.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cause difficulties", consider the specific type of difficulty. Be precise in describing the nature and scope of the problem to provide clarity for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "cause difficulties" without specifying who or what is affected. Clearly indicate the subject experiencing the difficulties to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause difficulties" functions as a verb phrase, where "cause" is the main verb and "difficulties" is the direct object. It describes the action of creating problems or challenges. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's considered grammatically correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cause difficulties" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes the act of creating problems or challenges. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate for a variety of contexts. It appears most often in News & Media and Scientific domains, indicating its versatility and broad applicability. While the phrase itself is straightforward, consider specifying the nature and scope of the difficulties and who or what is affected to maximize clarity. Alternatives like ""create problems"" or ""pose challenges"" may be more suitable depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

create problems

Focuses on the active creation of issues, shifting from a general sense of difficulty to specific problems.

lead to complications

Emphasizes the development of complex or intricate issues as a result.

give rise to problems

Highlights the emergence or origination of issues from a source.

pose challenges

Indicates the presentation of obstacles that require effort to overcome, softening the negative connotation.

present obstacles

Similar to posing challenges, but with a stronger emphasis on the hindering aspect.

generate issues

Focuses on the production or creation of specific points of contention or debate.

trigger setbacks

Emphasizes a negative impact causing delays or regressions in progress.

exacerbate issues

Highlights the worsening of existing problems, rather than creating new ones.

complicate matters

Indicates making a situation more complex or difficult to understand or deal with.

impede progress

Focuses on hindering advancement or forward movement, emphasizing a slowing effect.

FAQs

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

You can use "cause difficulties" to describe something that creates problems or challenges. For example, "The new regulations will "cause difficulties" for small businesses."

What are some alternatives to "cause difficulties"?

Alternatives include "create problems", "lead to complications", or "pose challenges". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "cause difficulty" or "cause difficulties"?

"Cause difficulties" is generally more common and appropriate when referring to multiple or varied problems. "Cause difficulty" is suitable when referring to a singular, general problem.

What's the difference between "cause difficulties" and "present challenges"?

"Cause difficulties" typically implies a negative impact or problem, while "present challenges" suggests obstacles that require effort to overcome, which can sometimes have a positive connotation of growth or learning.