difficulties on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficulties on" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express challenges related to a specific topic or situation, but it requires additional context or rephrasing to be usable. Example: "We are facing difficulties on the project timeline."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

What are research difficulties on Madagascar? g.

The New York Times

So far, technical difficulties on the mission have been minor.

The New York Times - Science

Meanwhile, President Bush will also face enormous difficulties on the spending front.

The New York Times

Company officials blamed my difficulties on the location of the G.P.S. antenna.

The New York Times - Tech

Both men worry about the trickle-down effect from the difficulties on Wall Street.

The New York Times

"I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable discussing any queries or academic difficulties on social media.

The Guardian

Alas, bpoplive – for thus it is branded – has run into difficulties on the line-up front.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Troops seem to have faced difficulties on every front in Mosul, a stronghold of Iraqi nationalism.

The New York Times

They have brought out her conflicts and her difficulties on screen, and it is compelling".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But the group ran into difficulties on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Economist

This would be likely to create difficulties on agreeing policy positions.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "difficulties on" in formal writing. Opt for more precise and grammatically sound alternatives such as "difficulties with", "challenges in", or "problems concerning" for better clarity and impact.

Common error

The phrase "difficulties on" often leads to confusion because "on" doesn't naturally follow "difficulties" in standard English. Replace "on" with "with", "in", or another preposition that accurately reflects the relationship you're describing to ensure grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficulties on" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically attempting to specify the area or subject where challenges or problems are being experienced. However, it is often considered grammatically awkward, as noted by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

36%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficulties on" is used to indicate problems or challenges related to a particular subject. However, Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not grammatically correct and needs rephrasing for clarity. While frequently found in news, science, and wiki sources, more grammatically sound alternatives such as "difficulties with", "challenges in", or "issues concerning" are recommended for formal writing. To ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy, avoid using "difficulties on" and opt for more precise alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenges regarding

Replaces 'difficulties' with 'challenges' and 'on' with 'regarding', providing a more direct expression of issues related to a topic. High semantic similarity.

problems with

Substitutes "difficulties" with "problems" and "on" with "with", offering a less formal way to indicate issues.

issues concerning

Replaces 'difficulties' with 'issues' and 'on' with 'concerning', suggesting a focus on matters of importance.

obstacles in

Employs "obstacles" instead of "difficulties" and "in" rather than "on", emphasizing hindrances within a particular area.

setbacks for

Uses "setbacks" in place of "difficulties" and "for" instead of "on", indicating a reversal or impediment to progress.

hardships during

Substitutes "difficulties" with "hardships" and "on" with "during", highlighting challenging experiences in a specific period.

complications arising from

Replaces the initial phrase with a more verbose, formal description of the situation, focusing on emergent issues.

impediments to

Substitutes "difficulties" with "impediments" and "on" with "to", creating a more formal tone to denote obstructions.

hurdles to overcome in

Rephrases the expression to emphasize the need to address and surpass the existing challenges.

challenges associated with

Offers a more formal and academic alternative, highlighting challenges that are linked to a particular topic or situation.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "difficulties" in a sentence?

Use "difficulties with", "difficulties in", or "difficulties concerning" followed by the specific area or issue you're referencing. For example, "difficulties with the project", "difficulties in understanding the concept", or "difficulties concerning the budget".

What prepositions usually follow "difficulties"?

The most common and grammatically correct prepositions to use after "difficulties" are "with", "in", and "concerning", depending on the context. Avoid using "on" as it's not standard usage.

What are some alternatives to "difficulties on"?

Consider using "challenges regarding", "problems with", or "issues concerning" as more grammatically sound and widely accepted alternatives.

Is "difficulties on" grammatically correct?

While "difficulties on" appears in some contexts, it's not considered standard English. Using alternatives like "difficulties with" or "difficulties in" ensures better clarity and grammatical accuracy.