difficulties against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficulties against" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express challenges faced in opposition to something, but it lacks clarity and proper usage. Example: "We encountered numerous difficulties against the proposed changes in policy."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"They had difficulties against teams that had very good defenders.

The New York Times - Sports

Bareev faced typical difficulties against the French grandmaster Laurent Fressinet in Round 6.

The New York Times

He added: "Colombia and Latin American teams in general have had difficulties against teams like Greece in the past.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite some difficulties against the short ball, he strikes it cleanly and seems to have a steady temperament.

Independent

The Notts director of cricket, Mick Newell, said: "On his own admission he had some difficulties against a higher standard of attack at the start of the season.

The Guardian - Sport

And she will be the favorite to become the Australian Open champion, too, in light of Clijsters's previous difficulties against her in major finals and also in light of Clijsters's lingering left ankle sprain.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Everyone, regardless of how they play, is going to have real difficulty against truly élite teams.

The New Yorker

One of the reasons Auburn had so much difficulty against L.S.U.

The New York Times

Watson, the world No 78, was also in early difficulty against Tian, a wild card.

Independent

Colorado should have only slightly more difficulty against the Kings, who startled fading Detroit in six games.

The New York Times - Sports

The defending Stanley Cup champion Devils had great difficulty against the Maple Leafs, but escaped without a loss.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "difficulties against" in formal writing. Opt for more grammatically sound alternatives like "challenges in the face of" or "obstacles confronting" for clearer and more effective communication.

Common error

Instead of saying something like "The company faced difficulties against the new regulations", a better phrasing would be: "The company faced difficulties complying with the new regulations" or "The company encountered challenges due to the new regulations". This ensures correct preposition usage and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficulties against" is used to indicate problems or challenges faced in opposition to something. While commonly found, Ludwig highlights its grammatical incorrectness, suggesting more precise alternatives for expressing opposition or challenges. For example, using "difficulties with" or "challenges to" offers greater clarity and correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

24%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "difficulties against" is relatively common, its grammatical correctness is questionable. Ludwig emphasizes that it's not the best choice for formal writing and suggests using clearer, more precise alternatives such as "challenges to" or "difficulties with". The phrase is used to express adversity in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Wiki, but a more careful word choice will result in clear, professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenges in the face of

Focuses on the adversity directly confronted.

obstacles confronting

Highlights barriers and obstructions encountered.

problems opposing

Emphasizes issues that arise in an opposing context.

setbacks when dealing with

Indicates delays and impediments experienced.

struggles competing with

Focuses on hardships faced in a competitive scenario.

hardships resisting

Highlights the difficulties in resisting something.

complications hindering

Emphasizes the complex nature of what's impeding progress.

impediments to

Focuses directly on the barriers encountered.

adversity facing

Highlights the negative or challenging circumstances.

mishaps countering

Emphasizes the problems encountered while attempting to counter or oppose something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "difficulties against" to sound more professional?

For a more professional tone, consider using phrases like "challenges to", "obstacles in the way of", or "difficulties complying with". These alternatives provide greater clarity and grammatical correctness.

What's a good alternative to "difficulties against" when talking about competition?

When discussing competition, phrases like "struggles competing with", "challenges facing", or "hardships resisting" might be more appropriate and contextually accurate. Each of these offers a subtle shift in emphasis depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "difficulties against" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig, the phrase "difficulties against" is not considered grammatically correct. It's preferable to use alternatives like "challenges to" or "difficulties with".

How can I use "difficulties with" instead of "difficulties against"?

Instead of "difficulties against a proposal", try "difficulties with a proposal" or "challenges associated with the proposal". This construction is more grammatically sound and widely accepted. For example: "The project encountered "difficulties with" funding".