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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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difficulties may occur

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficulties may occur" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the possibility of challenges or problems arising in a given situation. Example: "While we anticipate a smooth transition, we must acknowledge that difficulties may occur during the implementation phase."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

More difficulties may occur as early as next week, when the House could take up the president's energy program, including a proposal to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

News & Media

The New York Times

Difficulties may occur by inhomogeneous heating of the brake discs.

However, if the scalar potential formulation is utilised, convergence difficulties may occur.

Similar difficulties may occur in areas where there are stable swidden farming systems in place.

In some cases when the algorithm is applied to problems with discontinuous probability density functions difficulties may occur with convergence.

Further difficulties may occur in the case of partnerships between different Local Action Groups, such as disagreement about whether a given factor is a Strength or a Weakness, lack of information about the relationships between Strength and a Weakness factors and decision alternatives, as well as impossibility of ranking the decision alternatives.

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Functional difficulty may occur such as swallowing, maintaining the respiratory tract, and obstructive sleep apnea when vascular lesion involves deep tissue such as muscle and bone [8].

It highlights the main characteristics of the stages, reveals both advantages and difficulties that may occur during the application of backward design technology within Russian higher education system.

They emphasized the importance of identifying the kinds of difficulties that may occur during the procedure, for example, fragile or/and invisible veins.

These children are taught by 40 teachers who have been specifically trained within the project to assist these kids in overcoming any difficulties that may occur during the learning process.

Formal & Business

Unicef

This is an example of some of the difficulties that may occur as a result of harmonising VA data collected at many sites, over different time periods, using a variety of antecedents to the WHO 2012 standard (37).

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficulties may occur", provide context by briefly mentioning the specific area or process where these difficulties are anticipated. This helps readers understand the potential challenges more clearly.

Common error

Avoid using "difficulties may occur" as a generic placeholder. Ensure the statement is supported by a reasonable expectation of potential problems, rather than simply stating the obvious.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

4.3/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficulties may occur" functions as a statement indicating a possibility of problems or challenges arising. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficulties may occur" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to signal the potential for problems or challenges. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it finds application across various contexts, including scientific literature, news reports, and general discussions. While relatively neutral in tone, it's crucial to use it judiciously, ensuring that its use is justified by a reasonable anticipation of issues rather than mere speculation. Consider using alternatives like "challenges might emerge" or "issues could surface" for varied expression. Always provide sufficient context when using this phrase to improve clarity and comprehension.

More alternative expressions(10)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

problems could arise

Replaces "difficulties" with "problems" and "may occur" with "could arise", slightly altering the emphasis on possibility.

challenges might emerge

Substitutes "difficulties" with "challenges" and uses "might emerge" instead of "may occur", suggesting a gradual unfolding of issues.

issues could surface

Replaces "difficulties" with "issues" and "may occur" with "could surface", implying problems that were previously hidden.

complications might develop

Uses "complications" instead of "difficulties" and "might develop" in place of "may occur", indicating a more intricate problem arising.

obstacles could present themselves

Substitutes "difficulties" with "obstacles" and replaces "may occur" with "could present themselves", adding a sense of inevitability.

setbacks might happen

Replaces "difficulties" with "setbacks" and "may occur" with "might happen", indicating temporary impediments.

crises could unfold

Uses "crises" instead of "difficulties" and "could unfold" in place of "may occur", suggesting a more severe and developing situation.

impediments might arise

Substitutes "difficulties" with "impediments" and replaces "may occur" with "might arise", indicating hindrances or obstructions.

hardships could emerge

Replaces "difficulties" with "hardships" and "may occur" with "could emerge", emphasizing challenging conditions.

adverse events may transpire

Substitutes the entire phrase to give a more formal and less common phrase, indicating unfortunate occurrences.

FAQs

How can I use "difficulties may occur" in a sentence?

You can use "difficulties may occur" to introduce the possibility of problems or challenges in a given situation. For example: "While we aim for a seamless transition, "difficulties may occur" during the implementation phase".

What are some alternatives to "difficulties may occur"?

You can use alternatives such as "problems could arise", "challenges might emerge", or "issues could surface" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "difficulties may occur" or "difficulties might occur"?

Both "difficulties may occur" and "difficulties might occur" are grammatically correct and convey similar meanings. The choice between "may" and "might" often depends on the degree of possibility you want to express, with "might" sometimes suggesting a slightly lower probability.

How formal is the phrase "difficulties may occur"?

"Difficulties may occur" is considered relatively neutral in formality and can be used in various contexts, including formal reports, news articles, and general discussions. For more informal settings, simpler alternatives like "problems might happen" could be suitable.

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Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

4.3/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: