chronic difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chronic difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a persistent or long-lasting challenge or problem that someone is facing. Example: "Many students experience chronic difficulty in understanding complex mathematical concepts, which can hinder their overall academic performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"The government produces lazy people, then lazy parents produce lazy children," fumed Mr. Yurchenko, noting the chronic difficulty of finding Russian farmhands.

The New York Times

They have chronic difficulty in focusing on many important tasks of daily life, yet they can focus very well on a few tasks that hold strong personal interest for them.

The New York Times

And that's a lot of problems, observes the author, Frank Hilton, including Baudelaire's "inability to manage his financial affairs, his unsatisfactory relationships, his bad health, his guignon" -- the demonic misfortune he believed plagued him -- and, most important, his "chronic difficulty in getting down to any prolonged creative work".

The New York Times - Books

The second crucial point in Dr. Brown's book is that many people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder appear to have chronic difficulty with the brain's executive functions, a term that encompasses short-term memory, planning and staying focused on a task without being distracted by emotional impulses.

The New York Times - Health

Some commentators argue that many postdocs' chronic difficulty finding permanent academic positions indicates that the nation's need to train new scientists and engineers has been exaggerated.

Science Magazine

Some studies suggest that moving frequently between work and benefits may have a 'scarring' effect, because individuals who spend more than a few weeks unemployed have been shown to experience chronic difficulty in re-establishing themselves in the labour market (Arulampalam, 2001).

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Airbus, a consortium of businesses owned by European Aeronautic Defense and Space, suffered chronic difficulties in delivering its A380 superjumbo jet — it can hold more than 800 passengers — to customers.

The New York Times

The Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center tells us: "In Charleston, where inconveniences soon gave way to chronic difficulties and privations, the war prompted suffering, tenacity, ingenuity and great personal bravery".

The New York Times - Arts

That developmental history will reveal a story of an adult who has chronic difficulties following through on reasonable objectives, who makes the same mistakes repeatedly, who fails to live up to potential, or who simply has trouble being able to do what he wants or needs to do, said Ramsay.

The Guardian

A subset of children with high anisometropia or isoametropia and neurobehavioral disorders have chronic difficulties with spectacle or contact lens wear.

American Journal of Ophthalmology

Sex, life events, chronic difficulties and to a certain extent age were found to be risk factors for depression in the studied community.

Journal of Affective Disorders

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "chronic difficulty", ensure it accurately reflects a long-lasting and persistent issue, not just a temporary setback. Consider if synonyms like "persistent challenge" or "ongoing struggle" might be more appropriate for specific contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "chronic difficulty" to describe short-term or acute problems. "Chronic" implies a long duration, so using it for temporary issues is inaccurate. For short-term problems, consider using "temporary setback" or "acute difficulty" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chronic difficulty" functions as a noun phrase that describes a persistent or recurring problem. It combines the adjective "chronic", indicating long-lasting or recurring, with the noun "difficulty", referring to a problem or challenge. Ludwig confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "chronic difficulty" effectively describes a long-lasting or recurring problem. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is usable in written English. While the phrase is grammatically sound and applicable in various contexts like news, science, and formal writing, it’s important to consider if the situation you are describing truly reflects a persistent issue rather than a temporary one. Alternatives such as "persistent challenge" or "ongoing problem" may sometimes be more appropriate depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Ensure accurate use by differentiating it from "acute difficulty", which describes a short-term problem.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

persistent challenge

Focuses on the enduring nature of the problem as a challenge to overcome, changing the noun.

long-term struggle

Highlights the duration and effort involved in dealing with the difficulty, swapping the adjective.

ongoing problem

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the issue, utilizing an easier word choice.

recurring obstacle

Stresses the repetitive nature of the difficulty as an obstruction, less focused on hardship.

enduring hardship

Shifts the focus to the suffering and resilience required to cope with the difficulty, altering word choice.

continual setback

Highlights the way the difficulty repeatedly impedes progress, emphasizing the aspect of impediment.

pervasive issue

Indicates that the difficulty is widespread and affects many aspects, highlighting its reach.

unremitting adversity

Stresses the constant and harsh nature of the difficulty as a form of hardship, adding intensity.

incessant trouble

Focuses on the unceasing and bothersome nature of the difficulty, changing the tone.

protracted impediment

Highlights the prolonged nature of the difficulty as a hindrance, adding formality.

FAQs

How can I use "chronic difficulty" in a sentence?

You can use "chronic difficulty" to describe persistent and long-lasting challenges. For example: "The company faced "chronic difficulty" in maintaining its market share due to increased competition."

What are some alternatives to "chronic difficulty"?

Alternatives include "persistent challenge", "long-term struggle", or "ongoing problem". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "chronic difficulty" or "chronic difficulties"?

Both are correct, but "chronic difficulty" is generally used when referring to a general or abstract problem. "Chronic difficulties" is used when referring to multiple specific problems or instances of difficulty.

What's the difference between "chronic difficulty" and "acute difficulty"?

"Chronic difficulty" refers to a long-lasting and persistent problem, while "acute difficulty" refers to a sudden and short-term problem. The key difference is the duration of the problem.