difficult areas

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult areas" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to challenging or complex topics, situations, or locations that require special attention or effort to understand or navigate. Example: "In our discussion, we need to address the difficult areas of the project that have been causing delays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They went to difficult areas".

The New York Times

There's a dearth of attention to those difficult areas".

The Guardian

The one issued today deals with the difficult areas.

The Guardian

Its members often need to cross remote beaches or other difficult areas.

The New York Times

They also have many difficult areas of disagreement, starting with Iran's nuclear ambitions.

The New York Times

Gunn has one of the most difficult areas in the arctic to administrate.

The New Yorker

Yes, I know these are difficult areas, but they should be addressed before they become difficult".

The Guardian

As for details, Zarif waded into a couple of difficult areas.

The New Yorker

In many difficult areas of Helmand and Kandahar ISAF's forces have become much more aggressive.

The Economist

Many of Poland's 2,472 troops are in difficult areas in eastern Afghanistan.

The New York Times

Excellent at cleaning or disinfecting surfaces, especially the difficult areas like bathtub knobs.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical writing, define the "difficult areas" you are addressing to set the scope and boundaries of your analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult areas" without specifying the context. Without context, it becomes a vague descriptor. Be specific about what makes the areas difficult, such as resource constraints, logistical challenges, or complex regulatory requirements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult areas" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "difficult" is an adjective modifying the noun "areas". As Ludwig AI suggests, it's commonly used to identify regions, topics, or aspects that present significant challenges or complexities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

25%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult areas" is a common and generally correct phrase used to describe regions, topics, or aspects characterized by challenges or complexities. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is applicable across diverse contexts, from news reporting and scientific research to general discussions. While versatile, it's crucial to provide specific context to avoid vagueness. When using "difficult areas", consider alternatives like "challenging regions" or "problematic zones", depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Always ensure clarity and specificity in your writing for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging regions

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging", focusing on the demanding nature of the areas.

problematic zones

Substitutes "difficult" with "problematic" and "areas" with "zones", highlighting the issues present.

complex subjects

Changes "areas" to "subjects", shifting the focus to intricate topics or matters.

tough spots

Uses more informal terms like "tough" and "spots", conveying a less formal tone.

sensitive issues

Replaces "difficult" with "sensitive", emphasizing the delicate nature of the issues involved.

complicated matters

Changes "difficult" to "complicated" and "areas" to "matters", focusing on complexity.

critical zones

Substitutes "difficult" with "critical", highlighting the importance and urgency related to these areas.

demanding sectors

Replaces "areas" with "sectors", referring to specific fields or industries that are particularly demanding.

troublesome locations

Uses "troublesome" instead of "difficult" and "locations" instead of "areas", underscoring the problematic nature of places.

thorny issues

Employs the idiom "thorny issues" to represent complex and potentially contentious problems.

FAQs

How can I use "difficult areas" in a sentence?

You can use "difficult areas" to refer to challenging topics, locations, or situations. For example, "The negotiation focused on the "difficult areas" of the contract" or "The team was assigned to the "difficult areas" of the city".

What can I say instead of "difficult areas"?

You can use alternatives like "challenging regions", "problematic zones", or "complex subjects" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "difficult areas" in formal writing?

Yes, "difficult areas" is suitable for formal writing, but ensure the context is clear and specific. In some cases, a more precise term like "sensitive issues" or "complicated matters" might be more appropriate.

What makes "difficult areas" different from "challenging areas"?

While similar, "difficult areas" often implies a greater degree of complexity or resistance, whereas "challenging regions" may simply refer to areas that require significant effort or skill. The nuance depends on the specific situation.