difficulties

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "difficulties" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or condition that is hard to deal with or to overcome. For example: "The difficult terrain caused some difficulties for the hikers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lee had learning difficulties and was vulnerable.

The Guardian

This, one must hope, will be the case with Trott, whatever the nature of his sudden difficulties.

The Guardian - Sport

Child and adolescent mental health referrals are accepted only if they have severe mental health difficulties; GPs are asked to manage the remaining patients, yet we are not trained in child psychiatry.

The Guardian

Because of the difficulties being faced by the commercially financed public service broadcasters - ITV, Channel 4 and Five, the idea that the public broadcasting system could only be preserved by offering them direct public subsidies started to catch on.

The Guardian - Opinion

Smith's work explores the difficulties faced by the remote community and also looks at the cultural fabric that remains in the face of those challenges.

The Guardian

In particular, governments should give priority to providing employment and training measures for the long-term unemployed who experience a range of difficulties in finding jobs and are most likely to drop out of the labour force," it added.

The Guardian - Business

Young British artists invited abroad very seldom face the difficulties faced by young artists who live outside the EU and are invited to perform here.

The Guardian

4. The US supreme court in 2002 banned executions for prisoners who are "mentally retarded" – in other words, those with learning difficulties.

The Guardian

But the Lib Dems' difficulties will not end when and if the tuition fees row dies down.

The Guardian

This town, which has suffered over various recessions, had real economic difficulties, deindustrialisation, in the seventies and eighties, hit us hard as a town.

The Guardian

The transsexual blogger Sarah Brown explained the special difficulties she faces: "My papers are not in order, and so I'm not going to the party conference".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "difficulties", consider specifying the type or area of difficulty to provide clarity and context for your audience. For example, instead of just stating "they faced difficulties", specify "they faced financial difficulties" or "they faced technical difficulties".

Common error

Avoid using "difficulties" as a catch-all term. Replace it with more specific language that accurately reflects the nature of the problem, such as "challenges", "obstacles", or "complications", to enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "difficulties" is as a noun, specifically the plural form of "difficulty". It typically functions as the object of a verb or the object of a preposition, denoting various types of problems or challenges. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficulties" is a grammatically sound and highly versatile noun used to describe problems or challenges. Ludwig AI indicates that it is frequently employed across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and academic writing. While broadly applicable, consider using more specific terms like "challenges", "obstacles", or "complications" to enhance clarity. Remember to specify the area or type of "difficulties" to provide greater context for your audience. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your use of "difficulties" is both accurate and effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

problems

A more direct and general synonym for "difficulties", suitable for most contexts.

issues

A less intense, more neutral term for "difficulties", suitable for informal or general discussions.

challenges

Replaces "difficulties" with a term that can imply a more stimulating or developmental aspect of the problem.

complications

Focuses on the intricacy or entanglement of the issues, implying a need for careful handling.

obstacles

Highlights the hindering aspect of the issues, emphasizing what blocks progress.

predicaments

Highlights the problematic and potentially dangerous nature of the situation.

setbacks

Highlights the aspect of delays or regressions caused by the difficulties.

hardships

Suggests more severe or prolonged difficulties, often implying suffering or endurance.

impediments

A more formal term emphasizing the hindering nature of the difficulties.

tribulations

Emphasizes the distress and suffering caused by the difficulties, often used in a more literary or religious context.

FAQs

How can I use "difficulties" in a sentence?

You can use "difficulties" to refer to problems or challenges faced by someone or something. For example: "The company experienced financial difficulties" or "The project faced numerous technical difficulties".

What are some alternatives to using "difficulties"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "challenges", "problems", "obstacles", or "complications".

What's the difference between "difficulties" and "challenges"?

"Difficulties" generally refers to problems or hardships, while "challenges" often implies a stimulating or developmental aspect of the problem. A difficulty is simply something hard; a challenge is something hard that you can grow from.

Is it better to use "difficulties" or a more specific term?

In most cases, using a more specific term like "financial problems", "technical issues", or "logistical challenges" provides greater clarity and context than the general term "difficulties".