difficult presence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult presence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or individual that is challenging to deal with or manage, often in a social or emotional context. Example: "Her difficult presence in the meeting made it hard for others to express their opinions freely."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Throughout the film, the boys' father, Oscar, remains a somewhat difficult presence.

The Guardian - Film

He thought Mr. Vivona was a difficult presence, a man who ostentatiously flashed rolls of cash and who frequently complained.

The New York Times

But McKinnon is a more difficult presence.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The other fine thing is the difficult, insistent presence of Evie, the lover's daughter.

The Guardian - Books

The reader's tragedy to A People's Tragedy is that the book itself is a difficult physical presence; it weighs at least a stone, and so is too heavy to carry outside, and it is so large and sharp that if you try to read it in bed, you will forever scar the flesh on which it must rest.

The Guardian

Due to the diversity of pollutants in pulp paper mill wastewater, their control is very difficult and presence in water resources poses a high risk to the environment as well as human health.

Applied Water Science

For younger generations his work was a brooding presence, difficult to get through to and impossible to get away from.

The Guardian - Arts

The task is made more difficult by the presence of Dale Davis, who has grabbed 16 rebounds in each of the first two games.

The New York Times - Sports

Murder is made more difficult by the presence of security cameras, requiring that your weapons be hidden, and survival is made more difficult by the necessity to attend to basic bodily needs like sleeping, eating and showering.

The New York Times - Tech

One of the main goals was to avoid developing the waterfront as an isolated hamlet, a job made more difficult by the presence of the railroad line between the waterfront land and the core of the town.

The New York Times

The path to a settlement will be appallingly difficult, given the presence of hard-line elements on all sides and the bitter hatreds generated by more than 30 years of civil war.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "difficult presence", be specific about the nature of the difficulty. Is it due to personality clashes, conflicting objectives, or something else?

Common error

Avoid using "difficult presence" in casual conversations. It is a formal phrase better suited for professional or analytical contexts. In informal situations, consider using simpler terms like "problematic person" or "challenging situation."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult presence" functions primarily as a descriptive term, often used to characterize a person, situation, or thing that creates challenges or complications. As shown in Ludwig, it often describes people or situations that are hard to manage or deal with.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult presence" is used to describe something or someone that creates a challenge or problem due to their very existence. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English, though it is relatively rare. It is most commonly found in news, scientific and general contexts. To avoid overuse, consider alternatives like "challenging presence" or "troublesome presence". When using "difficult presence", be clear about the source and nature of the difficulty to enhance communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging presence

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging", maintaining the core meaning but emphasizing the demanding nature of the presence.

troublesome presence

Substitutes "difficult" with "troublesome", highlighting the problems or annoyances caused by the presence.

awkward presence

Replaces "difficult" with "awkward", focusing on the discomfort or unease created by the presence.

unwelcome presence

Changes "difficult" to "unwelcome", emphasizing that the presence is not desired or appreciated.

disruptive presence

Substitutes "difficult" with "disruptive", highlighting the disturbance or interruption caused by the presence.

demanding presence

Replaces "difficult" with "demanding", stressing the high needs or expectations associated with the presence.

intimidating presence

Changes "difficult" to "intimidating", focusing on the fear or apprehension caused by the presence.

overbearing presence

Replaces "difficult" with "overbearing", emphasizing the domineering or oppressive nature of the presence.

oppressive presence

Substitutes "difficult" with "oppressive", highlighting the restrictive or burdensome nature of the presence.

unsettling presence

Changes "difficult" to "unsettling", focusing on the anxiety or unease caused by the presence.

FAQs

How can I describe a "difficult presence" without using the word "difficult"?

You can use alternatives such as "challenging presence", "troublesome presence", or "awkward presence", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "difficult presence" the same as "strong presence"?

No, "difficult presence" implies that someone or something creates problems or unease, while "strong presence" simply suggests that they are noticeable and influential. The terms are not interchangeable.

What kind of situations typically involve a "difficult presence"?

Situations involving a "difficult presence" often include tense family gatherings, challenging workplace dynamics, or any scenario where someone's behavior or personality causes friction or hardship for others.

How to use "difficult presence" in a sentence?

You might say, "His "overbearing demeanor" created a "difficult presence" at the meeting, making it hard for others to share their ideas freely."