core difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "core difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the fundamental or primary challenge in a situation or problem. Example: "The core difficulty in solving this equation lies in the complex variables involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The core difficulty of France, Germany and Italy is a lack of jobs.

The Guardian

The uncertainty about what is causing the strange winters highlights a core difficulty of climate science.

The New York Times - Science

The ministry singled out problems in the European Union — China's biggest overseas market — as the core difficulty for exporters.

The New York Times

In some applications, the LES equations are solved over moderate time intervals and the core difficulty is associated with modeling near wall turbulence in complex geometries.

Computers & Mathematics with Applications

The core difficulty with her argument is one she tackles: why, if state schools were so good, did they never attract the same place in public affection as the NHS?

The Guardian

The core difficulty for any leader who engages in an electoral romance with the Murdochs is that the courtship will involve their adopting, or at least pretending to adopt, positions that may please the old mogul and his editors but which are going to choke the electorate as a whole.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The current paper outlines these core difficulties and provides some potential methods to overcome these.

Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews

A perceptive 2012 analysis by Fang and Casadevall identified imbalances in the career structure and incentivisation of scientists as core difficulties, but although framed as a call for reform, their study concludes by simply calling for a 'conversation' among scientists about what changes to implement.

The Guardian

The team realized that one of the core difficulties with planning an office space is that there is a level of uncertainty around which investments will pay off.

TechCrunch

Abbott concludes by discussing core difficulties of the practice of social science as a moral activity, arguing that it is inescapably moral and therefore we must develop normative theories more sophisticated than our current naively political normativism.

University of Chicago

Although core difficulties tend to persist, symptoms often become less severe with age.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "core difficulty", ensure you clearly define what the difficulty pertains to. Providing specific context enhances clarity and prevents ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

While "core difficulty" is generally acceptable, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation. Simpler alternatives such as "main problem" or "key issue" might be more appropriate in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "core difficulty" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object in a sentence. It identifies the central or most important problem or challenge in a given situation. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

33%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "core difficulty" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to emphasize the fundamental challenge within a given situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While it appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts, its formal tone makes it less suitable for informal settings. Alternatives like "central challenge" or "fundamental problem" can offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the difficulty to avoid ambiguity. Considering its register helps to maintain an appropriate tone for the audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

central challenge

Focuses on the idea of a main obstacle to overcome.

fundamental problem

Highlights the basic and underlying nature of the issue.

primary obstacle

Emphasizes the hindering aspect of the difficulty.

main impediment

Stresses the preventing or obstructing nature of the difficulty.

key issue

Points to the most important aspect or problem.

principal concern

Indicates the foremost worry or matter of importance.

root cause

Highlights the underlying reason why a difficulty exists.

underlying issue

Emphasizes a problem that is not immediately obvious.

chief drawback

Points to a major disadvantage or negative aspect.

major stumbling block

Highlights a significant obstacle preventing progress.

FAQs

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

You can use "core difficulty" to describe the main problem or challenge. For example: "The "core difficulty" lies in the lack of resources."

What phrases can I use instead of "core difficulty"?

Alternatives include "central challenge", "fundamental problem", or "primary obstacle". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "core difficulty" formal or informal?

"Core difficulty" is suitable for formal and semi-formal contexts. In very informal settings, simpler terms like "main problem" might be preferred.

What makes "core difficulty" different from "main difficulty"?

"Core difficulty" emphasizes the fundamental or underlying nature of the problem, while "main difficulty" simply points to the most significant challenge. The distinction is subtle but can affect the tone and emphasis of your writing.