contend with difficulties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contend with difficulties" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing challenges or obstacles that someone is facing or dealing with. Example: "Despite the setbacks, she continued to contend with difficulties in her research project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Panelists using video must contend with difficulties we've all encountered: Poor lighting and bad camera angles are the bane of videoconferencing, Hantula says.

Science Magazine

Working with a borrowed tent, Laliberté then had to contend with difficulties with the European performers who were so unhappy with the Quebec circus's inexperience, that they had at one point sent a letter to the media complaining about how they were being treated.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Agriculture in Armenia has to contend with many difficulties.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The women had to contend with other difficulties.

The Guardian - Sport

Even when fund managers find ways round the regulatory barriers, they must then contend with the difficulties of distributing their products.

The Economist

Rogen played a young father who must contend with the difficulties of living next door to a fraternity house in the ribald Neighbors (2014).

Encyclopedia Britannica

The whole point of choosing Batam for development was its proximity to Singapore.Besides the competing interests of provincial and district governments, infrastructure development also has to contend with the difficulties of land acquisition.

The Economist

Beyond the poverty that oppresses their communities, they contend with additional difficulties because of their youth: the absence of parents; lack of a predictable, secure home environment; the challenge of governance systems failing to serve young people as citizens with real needs, and so on.

Huffington Post

Successful silver prospectors had to contend with the difficulty of obtaining good information in order to form efficient CPF strategies.

Human Ecology

Apart from high costs, such studies would have to contend with the difficulty of securing continued availability and participation of health providers.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

Despite the encouraging reports from the field, the American military and Afghan government had to contend with plenty of difficulties, in Marja and in other locations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contend with difficulties", ensure the context clearly specifies what 'difficulties' are being faced to provide clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "contend with difficulties" in situations where simpler terms like "face problems" or "handle issues" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contend with difficulties" functions as a verbal phrase used to describe the act of dealing with problems or challenges. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contend with difficulties" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of facing and dealing with challenges. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for use in written English. While not the most common phrase, it provides a slightly more formal and nuanced way to express overcoming obstacles compared to simpler alternatives like "face problems". It appears across various contexts, from news and media to science and encyclopedias. To ensure clarity, specify the nature of the difficulties being faced. When a more basic term will work, prefer that instead to avoid using overwrought language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

face challenges

Focuses on the act of confronting obstacles.

grapple with problems

Emphasizes a struggle or close engagement with issues.

deal with hardships

Highlights the management of difficult life circumstances.

cope with adversity

Stresses resilience in overcoming tough situations.

tackle obstacles

Implies a proactive approach to removing barriers.

manage predicaments

Suggests skillfully handling difficult situations.

navigate complexities

Focuses on maneuvering through intricate problems.

weather storms

Uses a metaphor to describe surviving challenging times.

endure trials

Emphasizes the act of bearing difficult experiences.

bear the brunt of issues

Highlights enduring the most severe impacts of a problem.

FAQs

How can I use "contend with difficulties" in a sentence?

You can use "contend with difficulties" to describe facing and dealing with challenging situations. For example: "Despite the setbacks, she continued to "contend with difficulties" in her research project."

What are some alternatives to "contend with difficulties"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "face challenges", "grapple with problems", or "deal with hardships".

Is "contend with difficulties" formal or informal?

"Contend with difficulties" leans towards a more formal register. In informal settings, simpler phrases like "deal with problems" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "contend with difficulties" and "cope with difficulties"?

"Contend with difficulties" often implies facing and actively addressing challenges, while "cope with difficulties" suggests managing or enduring them, often with less direct intervention.