considerable difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

"considerable difficulty" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation, challenge, or task that requires a great deal of effort or time to accomplish. For example: "The team experienced considerable difficulty when trying to meet the tight deadline for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It was a solution of considerable difficulty.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Considerable difficulty was experienced controlling the airplane".

The New York Times

He was in considerable difficulty when his partner, Cynthia Colin, responded with one no-trump, forcing.

The New York Times - Arts

Bossis and several of his colleagues described the considerable difficulty they had recruiting patients from N.Y.U.

The New Yorker

"However, many of our members have faced considerable difficulty with tax regulation, particularly around anti-avoidance".

The Guardian

With considerable difficulty, I managed to ascend perhaps 120 feet, emerging into a circular chamber.

The New York Times - Magazine

But Bahraini women face social problems, like the inability to begin divorce proceedings without considerable difficulty.

The New York Times

South knew that West had no likely entry, but she was in considerable difficulty.

The New York Times - Arts

Nitrogen and oxygen can be made to combine directly with one another only with considerable difficulty.

Encyclopedia Britannica

My uncle is having considerable difficulty accessing funds in his Santander bank account.

Independent

When the men did not exercise, they had considerable difficulty controlling their racing emotion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "considerable difficulty", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is causing the difficulty. Provide specific examples or details to enhance clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "considerable difficulty" when a simpler term like "slight problem" or "minor challenge" would suffice. Overusing strong language can dilute its impact when describing truly significant obstacles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "considerable difficulty" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the object of a verb (e.g., experience, face, encounter). As Ludwig AI suggests, it is used to describe a situation that requires a great deal of effort or time to accomplish.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

35%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "considerable difficulty" is a commonly used phrase to denote a significant challenge or problem. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Analysis of its usage indicates that it's grammatically sound and appears frequently in news, encyclopedias and science-related contexts. The source quality is high, with many examples originating from authoritative sources such as The New York Times and Encyclopedia Britannica. When using this phrase, ensure the context is clear and avoid overstating the actual degree of difficulty. Alternatives such as "major difficulty" or "significant challenge" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

major difficulty

This alternative is a more direct synonym, emphasizing the significance of the difficulty.

considerable trouble

This alternative uses "trouble" which is a more informal way to express difficulty.

significant challenge

This phrase replaces "difficulty" with "challenge", framing the situation as something to be overcome.

substantial obstacle

This alternative highlights the impeding nature of the difficulty, portraying it as a barrier.

serious impediment

Similar to "substantial obstacle", this emphasizes the hindering aspect of the difficulty.

great hardship

This option emphasizes the negative impact and suffering caused by the difficulty.

intense struggle

This phrase focuses on the effort and exertion required to deal with the difficulty.

formidable problem

Replacing "difficulty" with "problem" frames it as an issue needing resolution, and "formidable" highlights its size.

onerous task

This phrase reframes the difficulty as a burdensome duty.

demanding situation

This alternative focuses on the taxing nature of the circumstances.

FAQs

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

You can use "considerable difficulty" to describe situations where something is hard to achieve. For example, "The team experienced "considerable difficulty" in completing the project on time".

What are some alternatives to using "considerable difficulty"?

Alternatives include "major difficulty", "significant challenge", or "substantial obstacle", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to use "considerable difficulty" or "great difficulty"?

"Considerable difficulty" and "great difficulty" are quite similar in meaning and can often be used interchangeably. The choice often comes down to stylistic preference, but "considerable" may suggest a slightly more nuanced or multifaceted challenge.

When is it best to use "considerable difficulty" instead of a simpler term?

Use "considerable difficulty" when you want to emphasize that the problem or challenge is not trivial but requires significant effort, resources, or skill to overcome. Avoid using it for minor inconveniences.