concrete difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "concrete difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a specific, tangible challenge or problem that is clear and well-defined. Example: "The team faced a concrete difficulty in meeting the project deadline due to unforeseen technical issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Here the concrete difficulty would be to work out a set of dimensions capable of consensus from among the wide range of operationalizations shown by this study.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

On top of all these concrete difficulties are the psychological ones.

The New York Times

For now, despite the concrete difficulties, it makes more sense to alter the geographic realities than the ideological ones.

The Guardian - Opinion

Simply telling people that diversity must be embraced, or that immigration is needed due to demographic change, overlooks the lack of preparation, the concrete difficulties and the fears that can arise from ignorance or stereotyping.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We cannot afford the potential deep uncertainty that would inevitably result from a fundamental change in the EU-UK relationship, let alone the concrete difficulties which could arise," says the Irish European minister, Dara Murphy.

The Guardian

However, for these same authors, interdisciplinarity entails concrete difficulties hindering the advancement of the TEL research: … multiplicity also brings challenges, such as a lack of a shared coherent discourse, tensions and power struggles between the different subject domains and a lack of perceived rigour and credibility (op.cit, p.10).

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

Admittedly, rhetoric around asylum seekers needing to orient themselves to Germany's "value system" was rife, but the concrete difficulties that would come up if they didn't assimilate were never explained.

Vice

All of these, except body image, are easily defined clear concrete external difficulties.

British Journal of Cancer

However, being impaired in the ability to become concrete to difficulties may be a risk factor for psychological disorders.

Clinical Psychology Review

A lower frequency of standing and lying and an increase in the bout duration of lying suggests that cows on concrete flooring have difficulty standing up and lying down.

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

Yet one of the most interesting facets of his book is Carter's apparent admission that it was only after he left office that he became closely acquainted with the concrete and continuing difficulties suffered by the Palestinians.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "concrete difficulty", ensure the difficulty is tangible and clearly defined. Avoid vagueness.

Common error

Avoid using "concrete difficulty" to describe abstract or vaguely defined problems. Ensure the difficulty has specific, observable characteristics.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "concrete difficulty" is to act as a noun phrase where "concrete" modifies the noun "difficulty". It specifies the type of difficulty being discussed, emphasizing its tangible and well-defined nature. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "concrete difficulty" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that denotes a specific and tangible problem. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is acceptable for written English. While its usage is relatively rare, its meaning is clear and it can be used in various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. Alternatives include "tangible challenge" and "specific obstacle". When using this phrase, ensure that the difficulty is genuinely tangible and not abstract. Although examples are limited, authoritative sources such as The Guardian and The New York Times demonstrate its appropriate use. The analysis suggests this phrase is best suited when describing well-defined and practical issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tangible challenge

Replaces "difficulty" with "challenge", suggesting a problem that requires effort to overcome, while "tangible" maintains the sense of being real and specific.

specific obstacle

Substitutes "difficulty" with "obstacle", highlighting something that blocks progress, and "specific" ensures the problem is well-defined.

real problem

Emphasizes the genuine nature of the problem using "real", while "problem" is a direct synonym for "difficulty".

practical impediment

Replaces "difficulty" with the more formal "impediment", indicating something that hinders progress in a practical sense.

defined issue

Highlights the clarity of the problem using "defined", while "issue" is a common synonym for "difficulty".

clear hurdle

Uses "hurdle" as a metaphor for a challenge that must be overcome, and "clear" emphasizes its visibility and understanding.

identifiable struggle

Focuses on the effort required to overcome the problem with "struggle", and "identifiable" ensures it's recognizable and specific.

palpable setback

Replaces difficulty with setback, underscoring that progress has been hampered.

factual snag

Emphasizes the issue being based in reality.

precise predicament

Indicates a very clearly defined and potentially unpleasant situation

FAQs

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

You can use "concrete difficulty" to describe a specific, tangible challenge or problem. For example, "The team faced a "concrete difficulty" in meeting the project deadline because of unforeseen technical issues."

What are some alternatives to "concrete difficulty"?

Alternatives include "tangible challenge", "specific obstacle", or "real problem", depending on the specific context.

Is "concrete difficulty" formal or informal?

The phrase "concrete difficulty" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives like "practical impediment" might be preferred in academic or professional settings.

What does "concrete" mean in "concrete difficulty"?

In "concrete difficulty", "concrete" means specific, tangible, and clearly defined, as opposed to abstract or vague. It emphasizes that the difficulty is real and observable.