difficulties persist

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficulties persist" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that challenges or problems continue to exist despite efforts to resolve them. Example: "Despite numerous attempts to improve the situation, difficulties persist, making it hard to achieve our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Still, she said, difficulties persist.

The New York Times

Despite the introduction of plastic, paper, and plastic-foam cups and accompanying lids, a variety of difficulties persist, ranging from seepage, digital scald, abrupt undulation, vibratory slosh, and toppling to premature cooling, garment-sop & costly beverage loss.

The New Yorker

For most Burmese -- the tens of millions who have not been able to fight the generals to a standoff -- all of these difficulties persist, along with a fear of being jailed and tortured by Military Intelligence.

The New York Times

If the current difficulties persist, Moscow will try to draw a red line around the Baltic states, keeping them out of the treaty organization -- and the European allies will probably go along.

The New York Times

And while traffic on The Post's Web site is up significantly — thanks to a new series of blogs and features on subjects like entertainment news that were not traditionally part of the paper's coverage — the difficulties persist.

The New York Times

Difficulties persist in the prenatal diagnosis of agnathia-otocephalic patients.

European Journal of Medical Genetics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

By the next morning, Fitch had debugged his software, but other difficulties persisted.

The New Yorker

But, because of the insistence of the Inland Revenue, his monetary difficulties persisted.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While the region's difficulties persisted with the political gridlock in Greece, investors used the market's declines as a buying opportunity.

The New York Times

Difficulties persisted, however; the nizam continued his efforts to assert his autonomy, India insisted that Hyderabad join India, and the nizam appealed to King George VI of Great Britain.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, technical difficulties persisted.

Journal of Voice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "difficulties persist" when you want to emphasize that problems are not easily resolved and continue to exist despite efforts to address them. It is particularly effective in formal writing.

Common error

While "difficulties persist" is grammatically correct, avoid overusing it in casual conversation. More straightforward phrases like "problems remain" might be more appropriate for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficulties persist" functions as a statement indicating that problems or challenges continue to exist. It often serves to highlight the ongoing nature of unresolved issues, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples. Its purpose is to convey that previous efforts have not completely eliminated the difficulties.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficulties persist" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that indicates ongoing problems or challenges. According to Ludwig, it's suitable for formal contexts like academic writing, news reporting, and professional communications. While alternatives exist, the choice depends on the desired tone and level of formality. The phrase serves to emphasize the continuation of unresolved issues, often prompting further action or highlighting the complexity of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenges continue

Replaces "difficulties" with "challenges" and uses a different verb, maintaining the sense of ongoing issues.

problems remain

Substitutes "difficulties" with "problems", providing a slightly more direct and common alternative.

issues linger

Replaces "difficulties" with "issues" and "persist" with "linger", suggesting a more subtle or prolonged continuation of problems.

obstacles endure

Substitutes "difficulties" with "obstacles" and "persist" with "endure", emphasizing the lasting nature of the challenges.

setbacks continue

Replaces "difficulties" with "setbacks", focusing on specific instances of problems that are still ongoing.

hardships persist

Maintains a more emphatic tone by employing the word "hardships" instead of "difficulties".

complications arise repeatedly

This alternative emphasizes the recurrent nature of the difficulties as "complications".

the struggle continues

Uses a more general term, "struggle", to encompass the ongoing challenges and effort.

unresolved problems exist

Highlights the lack of resolution for the problems at hand.

difficulties are still present

More verbose, but clearly communicates that the difficulties have not been resolved.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficulties persist" to indicate that problems or challenges continue to exist despite efforts to resolve them. For example, "Despite the new regulations, difficulties persist in enforcing environmental standards."

What are some alternatives to "difficulties persist"?

You can use alternatives like "challenges continue", "problems remain", or "issues linger" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "difficulties persist" formal or informal?

"Difficulties persist" is generally considered a more formal expression, suitable for academic, professional, or news-related contexts. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives might be preferred.

What is the difference between "difficulties persist" and "difficulties remain"?

Both phrases convey a similar meaning, but "difficulties remain" might be perceived as slightly less formal than "difficulties persist". The choice depends on the context and desired tone.