delicate difficulties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "delicate difficulties" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe challenges that are sensitive or require careful handling. Example: "Navigating the delicate difficulties of interpersonal relationships can often be more challenging than one might expect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It is hippos in tutus again.But there are genuinely delicate difficulties ahead.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

A delicate difficulty concerns how English speakers show politeness.

Independent

This may not always be feasible due to logistic difficulties and the delicate nature of screening for STI in healthy women.

BMC Women's Health

Until recently, the Iranians were having difficulty keeping the delicate centrifuges spinning at the tremendous speeds necessary to make nuclear fuel, and often were running them empty, or not at all.

The New York Times

Knutsen gives a recipe for an even more curious icing that puzzles me still – butter, egg yolks and sugar are whisked together over a gentle heat until thickened, and then mixed with raisins and pecans to give a kind of chewy toffee which can be spread, with some difficulty, over the delicate cake beneath.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A proposed robotic mission would be "highly complex" with inherent difficulties" associated with conducting delicate operations by remote control that have never been tried, it said.

The New York Times

AFM tapping was successful with regard to the difficulties of imaging this delicate biological capsule which had until this work not yet been imaged.

Plosone

However, due to the delicate nature of these fibrils and difficulties in visualizing them by conventional TEM, it has remained uncertain whether these findings reflect the occurrence of an NB common to all NPCs.

EMBO Journal

The difficulty in striking the delicate balance between Republicans and Democrats was on full display as Bishop began growing tired during the markup and ushering people to move faster on amendments.

Huffington Post

This, combined with the difficulty of choreographing the delicate movements of the gorilla head with Michael's acting, meant that 35 takes were required to produce the final 90-second scene.

Wikipedia

She politely told me that local factors had a played a role in her win – a delicate way of referring to the marital difficulties of the Northern Ireland first minister and DUP leader Peter Robinson who had held the seat since 1979.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "delicate difficulties", ensure the context clearly establishes both the sensitive and challenging aspects of the situation. Provide specific details to illustrate the nature of the difficulties and why they require careful handling.

Common error

Avoid using "delicate difficulties" as a vague descriptor for any problem. Always provide context that highlights the specific sensitivities and complexities involved. Saying "the project faced delicate difficulties" without elaboration leaves the reader unclear about the nature of the challenges.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "delicate difficulties" functions as a noun phrase, where "delicate" modifies the noun "difficulties". It serves to describe the specific nature of the difficulties, emphasizing their sensitive and potentially fragile nature. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "delicate difficulties" is a valid and useful phrase to describe sensitive and challenging situations. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and the examples show its use across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. When using this phrase, remember to provide specific context to illustrate the nature of the difficulties and why they require careful handling. Alternatives such as "sensitive challenges" or "complex problems" may be appropriate depending on the specific nuances you wish to emphasize.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sensitive challenges

Emphasizes the sensitivity aspect of the difficulties, implying a need for careful handling.

complex problems

Focuses on the multifaceted nature of the issues, suggesting intricate solutions are required.

challenging sensitivities

Highlights the sensitivity surrounding the challenges, inverting the original phrase's emphasis.

intricate issues

Stresses the detailed and complicated nature of the issues at hand.

precarious situations

Suggests instability and risk associated with the difficulties.

thorny questions

Implies that the difficulties are particularly troublesome and hard to resolve.

awkward predicaments

Highlights the uncomfortable or embarrassing aspect of the difficult situations.

touchy situations

Focuses on the potential for offense or conflict arising from the situations.

difficult nuances

Highlights the subtle complexities that make the difficulties challenging.

critical junctures

Emphasizes the importance and potential consequences of these difficult moments.

FAQs

How can I use "delicate difficulties" in a sentence?

You can use "delicate difficulties" to describe situations that are both sensitive and challenging, requiring careful handling. For example: "Navigating the "delicate difficulties" of international diplomacy requires skill and patience."

What are some alternatives to "delicate difficulties"?

Alternatives include "sensitive challenges", "complex problems", or "challenging sensitivities" depending on the specific context you wish to emphasize.

When is it appropriate to use "delicate difficulties"?

Use "delicate difficulties" when you want to convey that a situation involves problems that are not only difficult but also require a sensitive approach due to potential risks or vulnerabilities.

What makes "delicate difficulties" different from simply "difficult problems"?

"Delicate difficulties" implies a need for caution and careful handling due to the sensitive nature of the situation, whereas "difficult problems" simply highlights the challenging nature of the issues involved.