complained of difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complained of difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone is expressing that they are experiencing challenges or problems with something. Example: "She complained of difficulty in understanding the new software during the training session."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Local officials said no one complained of difficulty voting.

The New York Times

Witnesses complained of difficulty securing their right to visit a partner or help make decisions about care.

The New York Times

It was two years ago when the residents of a block of flats in Kingston upon Thames complained of difficulty in flushing their toilets that the alarm was first raised.

The Guardian - Business

In the report's survey of 808 residents, 58percentt complained of difficulty paying their monthly housing bills, while 54percentt said they were thinking of abandoning Long Island for lower-cost areas.

The New York Times

In interviews in Agogo, Kumawu, Gushiegu and Karaga districts, Fulani complained of difficulty in buying land.

Pastoralism

However, in our study three patients rehabilitated with zygomatic implants complained of difficulty in the ability to speak, especially when pronouncing words with the letter "s".

International Journal of Implant Dentistry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Banks and brokerage firms have complained of difficulties in arranging meetings with clients.

The New York Times

But since setting up the forum a year ago, only two people have complained of difficulties at work.

Huffington Post

64 of 144 (44.4%) patients complained of difficulties with observance of the drug regime.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Upon presentation, the examinee appeared to feel well but complained of difficulties concentrating and of a recent impairment in memory.

BMC Psychiatry

The man, who had been arrested on felony arson charges, complained of difficulties concentrating and of recent memory disturbances with leg weakness.

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "complained of difficulty", ensure the context clearly specifies what caused the difficulty. Providing specific details enhances clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid vague statements when using "complained of difficulty". Instead of saying "The patients complained of difficulty", specify what was difficult: "The patients complained of difficulty breathing" or "The patients complained of difficulty swallowing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complained of difficulty" functions primarily as a declarative statement indicating that someone has expressed their experience of facing challenges or problems with something. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and clearly conveys its meaning.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "complained of difficulty" is a grammatically sound way to express that someone has reported experiencing problems or challenges. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While relatively neutral in formality, its use is more common in scientific and news contexts. Consider alternatives such as "expressed a problem with" or "had trouble with" for slight variations in tone. When using the phrase, it's best practice to clearly specify the source of the difficulty to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

found it hard to

A simple and direct way of expressing difficulty in doing something.

had trouble with

A more informal way of saying someone experienced difficulty.

expressed a problem with

Replaces "complained" with a more neutral term and rephrases "difficulty" as a "problem".

struggled with

Implies a sustained effort to overcome the difficulty.

reported challenges with

Uses "reported" instead of "complained" and substitutes "difficulty" with "challenges", offering a slightly more formal tone.

voiced concerns about

Shifts the focus to expressing concerns rather than directly stating a difficulty.

expressed frustration with

Focuses on the emotional response to the difficulty.

raised issues regarding

Similar to voicing concerns, but implies a more formal or official context.

indicated an obstacle to

Presents the difficulty as an obstacle that hinders progress.

experienced hardship in

Highlights the severity of the difficulty, suggesting a more significant challenge.

FAQs

What does "complained of difficulty" mean?

It means someone expressed their experience of problems or challenges with something. For example, a patient might "complained of difficulty" breathing, meaning they expressed that they had trouble breathing.

What can I say instead of "complained of difficulty"?

You can use alternatives like "expressed a problem with", "reported challenges with", or "had trouble with", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "complained about difficulty" or "complained of difficulty"?

While both can be grammatically correct depending on the context, "complained of difficulty" is generally preferred when describing a medical or physical condition. "Complained about difficulty" is more suitable for expressing dissatisfaction with a situation.

How formal is the phrase "complained of difficulty"?

The phrase "complained of difficulty" is relatively neutral in formality. While not overly formal, it's suitable for professional and academic contexts as well as general conversation.