clear of difficulties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clear of difficulties" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or process that is free from obstacles or challenges. Example: "The project was completed ahead of schedule and clear of difficulties, allowing the team to celebrate their success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The dispute had angered some investors, who had accused Mr. Dudley of misreading Russian politics and of failing to steer BP clear of difficulties so shortly after the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

A clear pattern of difficulties was found across the three assessment instruments when students were challenged to hypothesize and manipulate treatment variables during the process of experimental design.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Some economists have credited Mr. Padoa-Schioppa's work as finance minister with helping the country steer clear of the difficulties that other heavily indebted European countries are facing.

The New York Times

When the scale had a clear gradient of difficulty level across a set of items, Rasch model, as compared with the CTT, could exhibit its psychometric properties, such as item hierarchy, item redundancy and gaps of the scale more structurally [ 38].

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

The global crisis has prompted deep reflections on the need of redesigning the features of a renewed model of family capitalism and has also made clear the difficulties of the welfare state in Italy.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

This week, a turnout as low as any in recent memory -- 11.5percentt of registered Democrats -- has made clear the difficulties of sticking to the second Tuesday in September.

The New York Times

Lee, whose first language was English, and who learned several dialects of Chinese after he was 30, made clear the difficulties of defining an identity in negative terms.

Independent

While the scope of the eventual American response to the terrorist attacks cannot yet be known, experts say one thing is clear: the difficulties of emerging markets like Argentina and Brazil, however acute, have now slipped a long way down the global priorities list.

The New York Times

Neither did the central bank publish its scarcity index, a measure of goods that are missing from store shelves, but it is clear the difficulty of getting hold of basic products is a source of discontent for many.

BBC

The clear difficulty of the clozure task suggests that close analysis may over-estimate reader language difficulties but the difference between the students in this study and those for whom the test was first prepared suggests that this would be unlikely to exaggerate difficulties in the present case.

Language Testing in Asia

Treatment effects on individual symptoms were less clear and were inconsistent, possibly because of difficulties encountered in measuring these symptoms.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clear of difficulties" to convey a state of being free from obstacles or challenges, often after a period of struggle or potential problems. It suggests a positive resolution or avoidance of negative outcomes.

Common error

Avoid using "clear of difficulties" when simply describing something easy or straightforward. The phrase implies a situation where difficulties were possible or expected but ultimately avoided or overcome, not merely a lack of inherent complexity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear of difficulties" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used adjectivally to describe a state or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates being free from problems or challenges. Examples from news articles show its use in describing companies or situations that have successfully avoided problems.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "clear of difficulties" is a prepositional phrase indicating the successful avoidance or resolution of potential problems. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While its usage is not exceptionally frequent, it appears in various contexts, including news, scientific articles, and encyclopedias. The phrase is generally considered to have a neutral tone. It’s important to remember that using "clear of difficulties" suggests that there was a real possibility of encountering problems, making it different from simply describing something as easy or straightforward.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

free from problems

Focuses on the absence of problems, simplifying the original phrase.

unburdened by challenges

Highlights the removal of burdens or challenges, adding a sense of relief.

without complications

Emphasizes the simplicity and lack of complex issues.

out of trouble

Suggests a state of being safe and away from problematic situations.

avoiding obstacles

Focuses on proactively preventing problems from arising.

navigating challenges successfully

Highlights the act of overcoming challenges with a positive outcome.

safe from predicaments

Implies security and protection from difficult situations.

rescued from adversity

Suggests a recovery from challenging or adverse circumstances.

beyond setbacks

Indicates a position where setbacks are no longer a concern.

released from constraints

Focuses on liberation from restrictions or limitations that cause difficulties.

FAQs

How can I use "clear of difficulties" in a sentence?

You can use "clear of difficulties" to describe a project, situation, or process that has successfully avoided or overcome potential problems. For example, "The company managed to steer "clear of difficulties" despite the economic downturn".

What are some alternatives to "clear of difficulties"?

Alternatives include phrases like "free from problems", "without complications", or "out of trouble", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "clear of difficulty" or "clear of difficulties"?

"Clear of difficulties" is generally more common and appropriate, as it suggests avoiding multiple potential problems. "Clear of difficulty" could be used if referring to a single, specific challenge.

What does it mean to steer clear of difficulties?

To steer "clear of difficulties" means to deliberately avoid situations or actions that are likely to cause problems or create challenging circumstances. It implies a proactive approach to preventing issues.