cause difficulties for

USAGE SUMMARY

"cause difficulties for" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to an action or situation that makes something difficult or challenging for a person, group, or entity. For example, "The current economic crisis has caused difficulties for many small businesses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

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

The New York Times - Sports

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

Brimelow said the conviction will cause difficulties for the star in getting work in the US.

The Guardian

The UUP leader predicted that the report would cause difficulties for the political process in the province.

The Guardian

She hints that an unspecified "they" could cause difficulties for the forthcoming Life in Letters of the poet.

The Guardian - Books

The latter kind of movement will cause difficulties for other countries, since the funds must come from somewhere.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The assumption that the vast majority of claimants can initiate and manage their claims online seems unrealistic and may cause difficulties for many claimants.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Strict credit criteria can cause difficulty for many," Ms Nelson says.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cause difficulties for", ensure that the subject causing the difficulties is clearly identified and the nature of the difficulties is specified to provide context.

Common error

Avoid using "cause difficulties for" in overly broad or vague statements. Specify who or what is affected and the type of difficulty encountered. Instead of saying "This will cause difficulties for many", be specific: "This new policy will cause financial difficulties for small businesses."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause difficulties for" functions as a verb phrase indicating that a subject is creating problems or challenges for someone or something else. Ludwig confirms its correct usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cause difficulties for" is a versatile and frequently used expression to indicate that something is creating problems or challenges. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely employed across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and general informational sources. When using the phrase, clarity is key: ensure that you specify what or whom the difficulties are affecting and the nature of those difficulties. While alternatives like "create problems for" or "pose a challenge to" exist, "cause difficulties for" remains a clear and effective choice for conveying that something is making things harder for someone or something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

create problems for

Uses "create problems" instead of "cause difficulties", implying a more general sense of issues arising.

pose a challenge to

Replaces "difficulties" with "challenge", shifting the focus to a test of ability or resources.

complicate matters for

Emphasizes the act of making things more complex or intricate.

present obstacles to

Highlights the creation of barriers that hinder progress.

impede the progress of

Focuses on slowing down or preventing advancement.

hinder the success of

Specifically relates to obstructing the achievement of a desired outcome.

be detrimental to

Indicates a harmful or damaging effect.

aggravate the situation for

Suggests making an already problematic situation worse.

exacerbate issues for

Similar to "aggravate", but often implies a more widespread or systemic problem.

put a strain on

Implies placing pressure or stress on someone or something.

FAQs

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

Use "cause difficulties for" to indicate that something creates problems or challenges for someone or something else. For instance, "The new regulations will "cause difficulties for" small businesses."

What are some alternatives to "cause difficulties for"?

You can use alternatives such as "create problems for", "pose a challenge to", or "complicate matters for" depending on the context.

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

While both are grammatically acceptable, "cause difficulties for" is more common as it often refers to multiple problems or a range of challenges. The singular form, "cause difficulty for", is appropriate when referring to a single, specific problem.

How does "cause problems for" compare to "cause difficulties for"?

"Cause problems for" and "cause difficulties for" are very similar. "Cause problems for" is more general and can refer to any kind of issue, while "cause difficulties for" specifically indicates that something is making things harder or more challenging.