difficult factors

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult factors" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing challenges or complexities that influence a situation or decision. Example: "There are several difficult factors to consider when planning the project timeline, including resource availability and team expertise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"It was about two minutes into the process when I realized we were going to run up against some difficult factors," she said, including paperwork they didn't have, steep rents and brokers' fees.

The New York Times

Predicting what punishment a House member will receive after ethics infractions is difficult; factors including the member's contrition, level of knowledge of the misdeeds and relationships with colleagues can play a role.

The New York Times

One of the most difficult factors in these projections, Findlay said, is that MLS itself, as well as other outsiders, would like assurance that the team will be able to cope with Vegas' desert climate – costs that continue to be factored into the proposals.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite methodologically and conceptually difficult factors involved in this strategy, it has not discouraged us to explore similar avenues for molecular predictor discovery in MM and multivariate bioinformatics tools.

Plosone

The postoperative complications are among the most difficult factors in the surgical management of elderly patients with HNSCC.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

While the presence of high-quality, motivated staff is a key aspect of health system performance, it is also one of the most difficult factors to measure.

Human Resources for Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"Ethnicity turns out to be a very difficult factor to use properly," he said.

The New York Times

"The lack of clarity on the UK's commitment to the euro and the timescale... is obviously one difficult factor UK business has to face," said Hans Christian Iversen, a partner at Deloitte Consulting.

The Guardian - Business

The lack of experience in their bowling, particularly with Morne Morkel looking a touch weary, will be a difficult factor to counteract.

Independent

Which means there's a lot of ambiguity to contend with – a difficult factor during overtime in a late-season Saturday night game between division rivals, but a potentially catastrophic one in overtime in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final.

The Guardian - Sport

The translation from the laboratory results to the "real" site efficiency is still a difficult factor, because of the great number of parameters involved.

European Transport Research Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult factors", ensure that the context clearly identifies what makes these factors challenging. Provide specific details or examples to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that factors are "difficult" without explaining why. Instead of saying "The difficult factors influenced the decision", specify which factors were challenging and how they impacted the outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult factors" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "difficult" modifies the noun "factors". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It identifies specific elements that present challenges or complexities within a given context. Examples from Ludwig showcase its use in various domains.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Unknown

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult factors" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that identifies complicating elements within a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and applicability across various contexts. While not exceedingly common, it finds use in science, news, and formal settings. When employing the phrase, it's crucial to specify the nature of the difficulty to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "challenging elements" or "complex issues" can be considered for variety, depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging elements

Replaces "factors" with "elements", emphasizing the components that pose a challenge.

complex issues

Substitutes "factors" with "issues", highlighting the intricate and complicated nature of the elements.

problematic aspects

Uses "problematic aspects" to focus on the troublesome or concerning elements.

complicated variables

Replaces "factors" with "variables", stressing the changing and complex nature of the elements involved.

tough considerations

Emphasizes the difficulty in dealing with certain factors by using "tough considerations".

intricate components

Replaces "factors" with "components", emphasizing the interconnected and detailed nature of the elements.

demanding aspects

Highlights the demanding nature of the factors, indicating they require significant effort or attention.

arduous variables

Focuses on the labor-intensive or challenging nature of the variables.

complex determinants

Replaces "factors" with "determinants", highlighting the elements that decisively affect an outcome.

critical obstacles

Emphasizes the importance and hindering effect of the factors by terming them "critical obstacles".

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult factors" to describe elements that complicate a situation. For instance: "Several difficult factors, including lack of funding and limited resources, hindered the project's progress".

What are some alternatives to "difficult factors"?

Alternatives include "challenging elements", "complex issues", or "problematic aspects", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "difficult factors" or "complex factors"?

Both are valid, but "difficult factors" emphasizes the challenge they pose, while "complex factors" highlights their intricate nature. Choose the phrase that best reflects the specific nuance you intend to convey.

What makes certain factors "difficult"?

Factors can be "difficult" due to various reasons, such as complexity, lack of available data, conflicting information, or the need for specialized expertise to understand them properly. The context should clarify the specific nature of the difficulty.