difficult settings

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult settings" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe challenging environments or situations, often in contexts like education, work, or personal experiences. Example: "The training program was designed to prepare participants for difficult settings they might encounter in their careers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

During the Ebola outbreak that swept through Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, Lang's team, which specializes in planning and operating trials in vulnerable populations in difficult settings, was tasked with setting up a clinical study of a potential Ebola treatment called brincidofovir.

Huffington Post

In statements announcing earlier promotions in Chief Johnson's career, the Police Department portrayed him as an officer with "vast experience" in sometimes difficult settings.

The New York Times

There are countless broken bones, deformities, facial injuries, burns and so forth, and we are encountering the sequelae of the initial surgeries that were performed in difficult settings.

Stanford University

Since the show's debut in the summer of 2000, Mr. Probst has been the host of the competition to win $1 million among those surviving physical and mental challenges in difficult settings.

The New York Times

We included highly similar strains to test the performance of the method in the most difficult settings, where two almost genetically identical strains present in the same sample have to be recognised as different.

Nature

With an abundance of multiplayer levels and the option of returning to the Solo Missions and playing the game all over again at one of the more difficult settings, Perfect Dark is one of those rare games with lots of replay value.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

There are a total of nine levels in Obi-Wan's Adventures that can be played with different difficult-settings.

Wikipedia

VR can help evaluate tumour origin in difficult anatomical settings such as, e.g., in the pelvis [1], and can be used to determine tumour resectability and for preoperative planning [6].

Insights into Imaging

For instance, the subject is asked to tell time at four progressively difficult clock settings.

Clinical interventions in aging

Third, multidisciplinary care can overcome clinical inertia, even in difficult practice settings.

BMC Endocrine Disorders

It also enables a control group that receives normal care; this may be more difficult in settings where clinical pharmacist services are already available.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "difficult settings", ensure the context clearly defines what makes the settings difficult, such as resource limitations, safety concerns, or complex logistical challenges.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult settings" as a vague descriptor. Provide specific details about the setting and the nature of the challenges it presents to ensure clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult settings" functions as a noun phrase, where 'difficult' modifies 'settings'. It's used to describe environments or situations that present challenges or obstacles. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

24%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult settings" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe challenging environments across various fields, as confirmed by Ludwig. Predominantly used in scientific, news, and academic contexts, it effectively conveys the presence of complexities and hardships. While versatile, clarity is key; providing specific details about the setting ensures impactful communication. Alternatives like "challenging environments" or "tough situations" offer nuanced options, depending on the desired emphasis. Avoid overgeneralization to maintain precision and relevance in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging environments

Focuses on the environment being challenging, rather than the settings.

tough situations

Emphasizes the difficulty of the situation, a more general term.

problematic contexts

Highlights the problematic nature of the context.

adverse conditions

Stresses the unfavorable aspect of the conditions.

complex scenarios

Focuses on the complexity of the scenarios involved.

demanding circumstances

Highlights the demanding nature of the circumstances.

unfavorable environments

Indicates that the environments are not conducive to success or well-being.

stressful conditions

Emphasizes the stress induced by the conditions.

challenging circumstances

Similar to demanding circumstances, but focuses on the challenge presented.

unstable conditions

Highlights the lack of stability in the conditions.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult settings" to describe environments with notable challenges. For example: "The organization specializes in providing aid in "difficult settings", such as conflict zones and disaster areas."

What are some alternatives to "difficult settings"?

Alternatives include "challenging environments", "tough situations", or "problematic contexts", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

What makes a setting "difficult"?

A setting might be considered "difficult" due to factors like limited resources, safety risks, complex logistical challenges, or the presence of vulnerable populations. The term is context-dependent.

How does "difficult settings" differ from "challenging situations"?

"Difficult settings" generally refers to a physical or organizational environment that presents obstacles, while "challenging situations" can be broader, encompassing events or circumstances that require significant effort or skill to overcome.