cluster of difficulties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cluster of difficulties" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where multiple challenges or problems are present at the same time. Example: "The project faced a cluster of difficulties, including budget constraints, staffing issues, and tight deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

One of the objections canvassed there raises a cluster of difficulties.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

We describe a case of SARS (with delayed diagnosis) and a consequent cluster of cases that resulted because of difficulty in establishing a positive contact history and atypical signs and symptoms.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

cluster-of-cluster Gaussians.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

We will conduct two experiments, one on datasets of fixed size with varying class distributions and different levels of clustering difficulty to test the adaptability of algorithms and the other on datasets of varying sizes to test the scalability of algorithms.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Dementia is a brain function syndrome characterized by a cluster of symptoms and signs manifested by difficulties in memory, disturbances in language, psychological and psychiatric changes, and impairments in activities of daily living.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Dementia is a clinical syndrome that characterizes many different etiologies, including neurodegenerative, metabolic, vascular, and infectious diseases defined by a cluster of symptoms and signs manifested by difficulties in memory, disturbances in language, psychological and psychiatric alterations, and impairments in daily living activities.

BMC Systems Biology

Reading about the cancer cluster of kids in Toms River, New Jersey, illustrates the difficulty of proving these connections, but for anyone reading the news or sitting by a sick bed, these connections are palpable – and science is getting closer to proving it.

The Guardian

Tension related to a cluster of mainly physical symptoms associated with social difficulties [ 3- 5, 23- 25].

BMC Psychiatry

Setting off from the town of Konye-Urgench, there was no difficulty getting transport to Darvaza; a cluster of hopeful cab drivers surrounded us, proclaiming the virtues of their respective vehicles.

Vice

MapReduce simplifies many of the difficulties encountered in parallelizing data management operations across a cluster of individual machines, thus becoming a simple model for distributed computing.

Journal of Big Data

Setting off from the town of Konye-Urgench, there was no difficulty getting transport to Darvaza about 165 miles away; a cluster of hopeful cab drivers surrounded us, proclaiming the virtues of their respective vehicles.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cluster of difficulties", be specific about the nature of the difficulties to provide clarity and context to your reader. For instance, instead of saying "The project faced a cluster of difficulties", specify "The project faced a "cluster of difficulties" including budget constraints, staffing shortages, and tight deadlines".

Common error

While grammatically correct, "cluster of difficulties" can sometimes sound clichéd or less impactful in formal writing. Consider using stronger, more specific verbs or nouns to convey the challenges faced. Alternatives like "a series of significant challenges" or "a complex set of problems" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cluster of difficulties" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or subject complement in a sentence. Ludwig examples show its use in describing problematic situations or complexities. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cluster of difficulties" is a grammatically correct and usable noun phrase that describes a situation with multiple, interconnected problems. While considered relatively rare, it is suitable for neutral contexts like news and general writing but might need more precise alternatives in formal or scientific settings. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is acceptable, and understanding its usage nuances can help writers choose the most appropriate expression for their intended message. Alternatives such as "series of challenges" or "set of obstacles" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

series of challenges

Emphasizes a sequential aspect of the difficulties.

group of problems

Focuses on the problematic nature of the difficulties.

set of obstacles

Highlights the obstructive nature of the difficulties.

range of issues

Indicates a variety of different problems.

host of complications

Suggests a large number of intricate difficulties.

accumulation of setbacks

Highlights the build-up of problems over time.

plethora of hurdles

Emphasizes the abundance of obstacles.

complex web of problems

Focuses on the interconnectedness and complexity of the issues.

maelstrom of troubles

Suggests a chaotic and overwhelming situation.

litany of woes

Highlights a long and tedious list of difficulties.

FAQs

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

You can use "cluster of difficulties" to describe a situation where multiple problems or challenges occur simultaneously. For example: "The company faced a "cluster of difficulties" due to the economic downturn."

What are some alternatives to "cluster of difficulties"?

Alternatives include "series of challenges", "set of obstacles", or "range of issues". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "cluster of difficulties" formal or informal?

The phrase is generally considered neutral but can sometimes sound slightly informal. For formal contexts, consider using a more precise or impactful phrase like "a complex set of problems."

What's the difference between "cluster of difficulties" and "set of challenges"?

"Cluster of difficulties" suggests a group of problems happening together, while "set of challenges" implies a collection of obstacles that need to be overcome. They are largely interchangeable, but the nuance differs slightly.