difficulties overcome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficulties overcome" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe challenges that have been successfully dealt with or resolved. Example: "The project was a success, thanks to the difficulties overcome by the team during the development phase."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The opening was the culmination of 13 years of strenuous work, with many difficulties overcome.

The New Yorker

Tales are told of difficulties overcome, of politics to be negotiated, of barriers and how to wriggle around them.

The Guardian

It seemed a good idea at the time, but halfway up this route, with all of the technical difficulties overcome and only the steep snow slopes to climb, I was avalanched.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

True, the tales of practical difficulties overcome are uplifting, but most of the people in the book appear to be self-regarding and self-indulgent, tediously complaining about their lives.

The New York Times - Books

This allows the interface shape to be computed up to the time that a curvature singularity forms, with several computational difficulties overcome to reach that point.

Journal of Computational Physics

The broad outlines of the Davis' story don't change and it is still noteworthy for her accomplishments and the difficulties overcome, regardless of how long she lived in the mobile home.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

For a while the conversation couldn't have been more pleasant: our highly romantic first meeting, our early years, our difficulties overcoming ethnic differences, our great intellectual rapport.

The New York Times - Magazine

Richard Gadd has won this year's Edinburgh comedy award with his extraordinary personal show about difficulties overcoming a sexual assault he experienced four years ago.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, flexibility denotes the ability to sleep and work at odd times of the day, whereas languidity reflects difficulties overcoming drowsiness and lethargy following a reduction in sleep.

BMJ Open

Difficulty overcoming jet lag sometimes makes him seem doddering when he is just sleep deprived, they said.

The New York Times

When this was done, the monoglot babies had difficulty overcoming their learnt response, even when the researchers gave them further clues that a switch had taken place.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing accomplishments, use "difficulties overcome" to highlight the challenges faced and the effort required to achieve success.

Common error

Avoid phrasing that obscures who overcame the difficulties. Instead of "The difficulties were overcome", specify who overcame them: "The team overcame the difficulties".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficulties overcome" functions as a noun phrase or adjectival phrase, often modifying another noun to describe a situation where challenges have been successfully resolved. According to Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficulties overcome" is grammatically sound and serves to highlight achievements in the face of adversity. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. While not exceedingly common, it finds frequent use in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. To ensure effective writing, use the phrase to spotlight achievements that involve successfully navigating challenges. Consider alternatives like "challenges surmounted" or "obstacles conquered" for nuanced expression. By understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate register, you can confidently incorporate "difficulties overcome" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Problems overcome

A more direct synonym, simply replacing "difficulties" with "problems".

Challenges surmounted

Replaces "difficulties" with "challenges" and "overcome" with the more formal "surmounted".

Obstacles conquered

Substitutes "difficulties" with "obstacles" and "overcome" with "conquered", implying a strong sense of victory.

Hardships weathered

Uses "hardships" instead of "difficulties" and "weathered" to suggest enduring through tough times.

Adversities resolved

Replaces "difficulties" with "adversities" and "overcome" with "resolved", indicating a formal and complete solution.

Complications navigated

Emphasizes skillful handling of complex issues, replacing "difficulties" with "complications" and "overcome" with "navigated".

Setbacks addressed

Uses "setbacks" to denote the problems and "addressed" to mean they were taken care of.

Barriers cleared

Uses a metaphorical image of clearing obstacles, with "barriers" replacing "difficulties".

Crises averted

Focuses on preventing negative outcomes, using "crises" and "averted".

Impediments bypassed

Replaces "difficulties" with "impediments" and "overcome" with "bypassed" implying avoidance.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficulties overcome" to highlight challenges that have been successfully resolved, as in, "The success of the project was a testament to the "difficulties overcome" by the team".

What are some alternatives to "difficulties overcome"?

Alternatives include "challenges surmounted", "obstacles conquered", or "hardships weathered". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "difficulties overcome" or "difficulties were overcome"?

"Difficulties overcome" is a concise phrase often used as a noun modifier. "Difficulties were overcome" is a complete clause, useful when you want to specify who or what overcame the difficulties. For example, "The "difficulties overcome" during the project were significant" versus "The team successfully ensured that difficulties were overcome".

What's the difference between "difficulties overcome" and "difficulties in overcoming"?

"Difficulties overcome" refers to challenges that have already been successfully addressed. "Difficulties in overcoming" refers to ongoing or potential challenges one might face when trying to resolve a problem.