difficult existence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult existence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a life or situation that is challenging or filled with hardships. Example: "Many people face a difficult existence, struggling to meet their basic needs and find happiness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

For some, it takes a staggering blow to annul hope, for others, just a crosscurrent in an already difficult existence.

The New York Times

The attack underlines the difficult existence of millions of poor Indians who make a living by scavenging in forests and rivers, often at risk from wild predators.

The Guardian

I was her ticket out of a difficult existence, I thought.

Vice

Yet amid the good cheer are signs of the difficult existence of this company, the Kosovo National Ballet.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The article falters when it attempts to paint the single life as a difficult, unmanageable existence, where one is forced to live in filth and eat frozen dinners because there's no one around to help share household tasks.

Huffington Post

Translations could also be made difficult by existence of homonyms in the source language.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

The Sobolev solution of (Peng and Song 2015) is a global solution and involves norm estimates, thus it is easier for uniqueness but more difficult for existence.

Probability, Uncertainty and Quantitative Risk

The strong-viscosity solution of (Cosso and Russo 2016) involves a combination of local and global properties, and is easier for uniqueness but more difficult for existence.

Probability, Uncertainty and Quantitative Risk

In Warsaw, a Western Illinois town opposite the confluence of the Mississippi and Des Moines rivers, the Hay family lived a difficult pioneer existence.

Wikipedia

However the province tackles the difficult co-existence between the "old" groups, and also shows that the inclusion of the so-called "new" minorities in the territory is a process, which requires a constant negotiation of new forms of co-existence.

European Journal of Futures Research

In this difficult general context, existence of B-spline bases and preservation of that existence under knot insertion is guaranteed by the presence of blossoms.

Journal of Approximation Theory

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult existence", consider the specific aspect of the difficulty you want to emphasize. Alternatives like "challenging life" or "life of hardship" can offer slightly different nuances.

Common error

While "difficult existence" is grammatically sound, it can sometimes sound melodramatic in formal writing. Opt for more precise language to describe the specific challenges, such as "economic hardship" or "precarious living conditions".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult existence" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "difficult" modifies the noun "existence". It describes the quality or nature of someone's life or being. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult existence" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a life marked by challenges and hardships. While not extremely common, it appears in a variety of contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. Ludwig AI states that it is correct and usable. While the phrase is appropriate in general writing, you may use alternative phrases like "challenging life" or "hard life" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging life

Focuses on the element of challenge rather than difficulty.

hard life

Simplifies the expression using a more direct adjective.

troubled life

Highlights the presence of problems and distress.

life of hardship

Replaces 'existence' with a more evocative noun.

precarious situation

Shifts the focus to the instability and uncertainty of the situation.

struggling to survive

Emphasizes the active effort required to maintain existence.

demanding lifestyle

Highlights the high demands and pressures of the way of life.

unfavorable circumstances

Focuses on external conditions contributing to difficulty.

adverse conditions

Similar to unfavorable circumstances, emphasizing negative conditions.

testing times

Implies a period marked by challenges and trials.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult existence" to describe a life filled with challenges and hardships. For example: "Millions of people around the world face a "difficult existence", struggling to meet their basic needs."

What are some alternatives to "difficult existence"?

You can use alternatives like "challenging life", "hard life", or "life of hardship" depending on the context.

Is "difficult existence" a formal or informal phrase?

"Difficult existence" is generally considered a neutral phrase, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, more specific terms might be preferred for greater precision.

What makes an "existence" "difficult"?

A "difficult existence" typically involves significant challenges such as poverty, lack of resources, discrimination, or health problems, which make daily life burdensome.