cause of the difficulties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause of the difficulties" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the reasons or factors that contribute to challenges or problems in a particular situation. Example: "The investigation revealed the cause of the difficulties faced by the team during the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Cutting the nerves can interfere with the rhythmicity of breathing, and this may be an important cause of the difficulties of successfully transplanting both lungs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Senator Fred Thompson of Tennessee, the senior Republican on the Committee on Governmental Affairs, said, "The fact that the federal government does not adequately hire and retain the right people is a root cause" of the difficulties at many agencies.

The New York Times

62. Another cause of the difficulties met in implementing this project was that the initial management structure proved inadequate and had to be thoroughly reorganised in February 1997.

FAO

(b) Another cause of the difficulties met in implementing the project was that the management structure of the project failed to provide effective guidance.

FAO

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Another cause of the difficulty of understanding public sector accounts is vested professional interests.

The Guardian

Towns says he's sceptical that sticky pedals and floor mats are the root cause of the difficulty.

The Guardian - Business

"It's wrong to start thinking that [internet retail] is the prime cause of the difficulty: it's actually an opportunity and route to salvation".

The Guardian - Business

Then, shaking his head again, he said with emphasis, as though he were finally putting his finger on the real cause of the difficulty, "You know, they're not friendly to us at this place, that's the problem.

The New Yorker

The widespread distribution of sub-micron and nanoscale pores is the root cause of the difficulty of developing such gas reservoirs.

Petroleum Science

We conclude that the main cause of the difficulty of modelling dynamics of real-world polyphonic musical textures is the polyphonic nature of the data.

Pattern Recognition Letters

Existing and newly developed parameter identifiability methods were applied to two power-law models of biochemical systems, and the results pointed to the lack of parametric identifiability as the root cause of the difficulty faced in the inverse modeling.

Journal of Biotechnology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "cause of the difficulties", ensure that the context clearly identifies what specific difficulties are being addressed to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "the cause of the project's difficulties" instead of just "cause of the difficulties".

Common error

Avoid using "cause of the difficulties" without specifying what the difficulties are. Overgeneralization can make your writing vague and less impactful. Be specific to maintain clarity and relevance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause of the difficulties" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the origin or reason behind specific problems or challenges. It often serves as the subject complement or object in a sentence, providing an explanation for the difficulties experienced. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cause of the difficulties" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to identify the origin or reason behind specific problems. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness in written English. Appearing frequently in contexts such as Science, News & Media, and Formal & Business settings, the phrase serves to explain, attribute, and analyze why certain challenges are occurring. When employing this phrase, ensure that you explicitly define the difficulties to maintain clarity and relevance, avoiding vagueness. Alternatives such as "reason for the challenges" or "source of the problems" can be used to provide nuance depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reason for the challenges

Focuses on the challenges themselves, framing the 'reason' as the source.

source of the problems

Emphasizes the origin from which the problems arise.

origin of the issues

Highlights the starting point or beginning of the issues.

root of the complications

Implies a fundamental or underlying reason for the complications.

basis of the troubles

Suggests a foundation or core reason for the troubles.

underlying factor in the problems

Identifies a less obvious, yet significant element contributing to the problems.

primary driver of the setbacks

Focuses on the main impetus behind the setbacks.

antecedent to the obstacles

Refers to something that precedes and influences the obstacles.

genesis of the predicament

Highlights the very beginning or creation of the predicament.

determinant of the struggles

Focuses on the factor that decisively affects the struggles.

FAQs

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

You can use "cause of the difficulties" to explain the reason behind specific problems. For example, "The lack of funding was the main cause of the difficulties the research team faced."

What are some alternatives to "cause of the difficulties"?

Alternatives include phrases like "reason for the challenges", "source of the problems", or "origin of the issues", depending on the context.

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

It depends on whether you are referring to a single, specific difficulty or multiple difficulties. Use "cause of the difficulty" for a singular issue and "cause of the difficulties" for multiple issues.

What's the difference between "cause of the difficulties" and "reason for the difficulties"?

While similar, "cause of the difficulties" often implies a more direct and influential factor, whereas "reason for the difficulties" can encompass a broader range of contributing factors or explanations.