causing difficulties for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "causing difficulties for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that something is making something else difficult. Example: The new tax laws are causing difficulties for small business owners.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Less cataclysmic changes are causing difficulties for art owners and insurers, too.

The New York Times - Arts

They have every interest in discrediting democracy and causing difficulties for Mr Toledo.

The Economist

European Union Web sites noted that American consular services could also be affected, causing difficulties for citizens of five European countries still subject to United States visa requirements.

The New York Times

Since the regulations came into force four weeks ago, many members of the public now believe they are entitled to far higher compensation payouts than the rules allow, causing difficulties for airlines.

The Guardian - Travel

Guardian Australia understands at least one federal Coalition MP's office has advice that the Turnbull government has the power to end the mega-mine's application which is causing difficulties for the newly elected Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce.

The Guardian

Maureen Baker, who chairs the RCGP, said there was no one test that could definitively diagnose asthma, causing difficulties for GPs, particularly when some common symptoms were similar to those of other illnesses.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

There is no outright opposition to all David Cameron's requests - but some areas are causing difficulty for other countries for understandable reasons.

Independent

This includes identifying top and/or struggling students and identifying problems or concepts causing difficulty for students.

Duke University

This allows instructors to determine the particular features of the specialist style represented by the passage that are causing difficulty for students within their particular group.

Language Testing in Asia

However, he admitted that the race "caused difficulties for some".

Independent

Deregulation has caused difficulties for carriers and carrier labour.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "causing difficulties for", ensure that the subject directly leads to the difficulties experienced by the object. Clarity in the causal relationship enhances the sentence's impact.

Common error

In formal contexts, overuse of "causing difficulties for" can sound repetitive. Vary your phrasing by using stronger verbs or more specific descriptions of the problems created. Consider alternatives like "impeding", "hindering", or "exacerbating" to add nuance and sophistication to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "causing difficulties for" functions as a verb phrase that describes the action of creating problems or challenges for someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. It serves to link a cause to its problematic effect on a specific entity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "causing difficulties for" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something is creating problems or challenges. As Ludwig AI states, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and business writing. While it is versatile, consider using more specific verbs in formal contexts to add nuance. Related phrases include "creating problems for", "posing challenges for", and "leading to complications for". The phrase's frequent use across authoritative sources like The Guardian and BBC underscores its widespread acceptability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

creating problems for

Focuses on the act of generating issues rather than highlighting the resulting hardship.

posing challenges for

Emphasizes the challenges presented, with a slightly more formal tone.

leading to complications for

Highlights the consequential aspect of the action, implying that the difficulties are a result of something else.

generating obstacles for

Focuses on the creation of impediments, often in a more formal or technical context.

making things hard for

A more informal alternative, emphasizing the increase in effort or hardship.

complicating matters for

Highlights the act of making something more intricate or complex, leading to difficulties.

presenting hurdles for

Suggests the creation of obstacles that need to be overcome, often in a business or strategic context.

inflicting hardship on

Emphasizes the negative impact and suffering caused, indicating a more severe effect.

hampering the progress of

Focuses specifically on impeding advancement or development.

placing burdens on

Highlights the imposition of obligations or responsibilities that create difficulty.

FAQs

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

You can use "causing difficulties for" to show that something is creating problems or challenges for someone or something else. For example, "The new regulations are causing difficulties for small businesses."

What are some alternatives to "causing difficulties for"?

Some alternatives include "creating problems for", "posing challenges for", or "leading to complications for", depending on the specific context.

Is "causing difficulties for" too informal for academic writing?

While "causing difficulties for" is generally acceptable, using more formal alternatives like "presenting hurdles for" or "generating obstacles for" may be more appropriate in academic contexts.

What's the difference between "causing difficulties for" and "causing problems with"?

"Causing difficulties for" generally implies challenges or hardships for a person or group. "Causing problems with" typically refers to issues with a specific thing or process. For example, "The new software is causing problems with data processing", versus "The new software is causing difficulties for the accounting department".