contending with the difficulty of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contending with the difficulty of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing challenges or obstacles that someone is facing or dealing with. Example: "She is contending with the difficulty of balancing her work and personal life."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Moretti is now back with Mia Madre – My Mother – a subtly judged study of a woman called Margherita, a film director obviously a counterpart to Moretti himself, trying to look after her ailing mother while contending with the difficulties of a film shoot.

The Guardian - Film

I argue that both texts call for altered notions of reading and criticism that treat animals as presences but also contend with the difficulty of representing animals.

Johns Hopkins University

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

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

And yet if Trump managed to clear the initial hurdles and his proposal either passed Congress or survived the legal challenges experts say would surely arise, he would then have to contend with the operational difficulties of implementing such a sweeping proposal.

The Guardian

Developing nations have the added difficulty of contending with the scarcity of local business resources or talent, sometimes unstable political environments and infrastructure and, of course, lack of adequate banking and digital commerce.

TechCrunch

They contend that the difficulties of recent years underscore their assumptions, and say privately that Americans are forgetting that a lot of the problems began under President George W. Bush.

The New York Times

Citing the difficulties and costs of contending with the wastes, Reichhold argued that it was better to widely distribute the contaminants in low concentration than to dispose of them in high.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contending with the difficulty of", ensure the surrounding sentence provides specific context about the nature of the difficulty. This adds clarity and avoids vagueness.

Common error

Avoid using "contending with the difficulty of" in simple or easily resolvable situations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "dealing with" or "facing" for everyday challenges to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contending with the difficulty of" functions as a verbal phrase introducing a challenge or obstacle that someone is facing. While grammatically sound, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it should be used thoughtfully to avoid unnecessary complexity.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contending with the difficulty of" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe facing a challenging situation. However, its complexity suggests it should be employed judiciously, favoring simpler alternatives when appropriate. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical soundness, yet careful consideration should be given to the context to ensure clarity and avoid unnecessary verbosity. Related phrases offer options to adjust the emphasis, from struggling to proactive resolution. When considering its appropriate application, this expression is neutral to formal in register. Without real-world usage examples, it is not possible to identify authoritative sources or to quantify how frequently it occurs in speech or writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

facing the challenge of

Focuses on the challenge aspect, omitting the specific difficulty.

grappling with the problem of

Emphasizes struggle and the problematic nature of the situation.

dealing with the hardship of

Highlights the hardship involved, suggesting a more severe difficulty.

confronting the complexity of

Shifts focus to the intricate nature of the situation, rather than just the difficulty.

addressing the complexities of

Implies a proactive approach to resolving the complexities.

tackling the issue of

Suggests a direct and practical approach to a specific issue.

overcoming the obstacle of

Focuses on successfully moving past a specific obstacle.

navigating the intricacies of

Highlights the need for careful maneuvering through a complex situation.

managing the complications of

Emphasizes the need for careful management due to complications.

resolving the challenge of

Focuses on finding a solution to the challenge.

FAQs

What does "contending with the difficulty of" mean?

It means dealing with a challenging or problematic situation. It implies facing obstacles and putting effort into managing or overcoming them.

How can I use "contending with the difficulty of" in a sentence?

For example: "The project manager is contending with the difficulty of coordinating multiple teams."

What are some alternatives to "contending with the difficulty of"?

You can use alternatives like "facing the challenge of", "grappling with the problem of", or "dealing with the hardship of" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "contending with the difficulty of" or a simpler phrase?

A simpler phrase is often better for clarity. Use "contending with the difficulty of" when you want to emphasize the complexity and effort involved. Otherwise, consider simpler alternatives like "facing the challenge of".