difficulties stem from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficulties stem from" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the source or origin of difficulties in a particular situation or context. Example: "The difficulties stem from a lack of communication among team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Today's difficulties stem from yesterday's mistakes.

The Economist

In part, she said, those difficulties stem from legal tussles over rights to projects whose creators may be long dead.

The New York Times

Some of Alcatel's difficulties stem from earlier forays into the United States, including an investment in 360networks, a start-up communications carrier.

The New York Times

As Cowen notes, many of our recent difficulties stem from the fact that many Americans think they are richer than they are.

The New York Times

1. Identify your problem: F.W. Davis of the C.P.B. says that the industry's difficulties stem from lack of public awareness about prunes.

The New Yorker

In part, these banks' difficulties stem from their public-sector rivals' ability to draw on state guarantees which, however, are due to be phased out from July 2005.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

The decision, which was attributed to financial difficulties stemming from the economic downturn, drew protests from Skylight colleagues and others.

The New York Times - Arts

BEHIND THE NEWS The Democrat from Manhattan said his difficulties stemmed from "cultural and language barriers" -- specifically his inability to speak Spanish.

The New York Times

Neoforma's earlier accounting difficulties stemmed from the methods it used to account for a separate aspect of its relationship with Novation.

The New York Times

The company, which runs Seagaia, a mammoth artificial beach complete with retractable roof and wave-generating machine, is only one of hundreds of third-sector enterprises reeling from financial difficulties stemming from the bubble economy of the 1980's.

The New York Times

In 1981 he sold the team once more, largely because of the financial difficulties stemming from intense bidding among baseball team owners for the contracts of free-agent players.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficulties stem from", ensure the sentence clearly identifies both the problem and its origin. For example: "The project's difficulties stem from inadequate planning and resource allocation."

Common error

Avoid using "difficulties stem from" without clearly specifying the cause. For example, instead of saying "Difficulties stem from management", be specific: "Difficulties stem from management's inconsistent communication and lack of clear direction."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficulties stem from" functions as a causal connector, linking a problem or challenge to its origin or cause. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, this expression is used to explain why certain problems exist, often in analytical or explanatory contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficulties stem from" is a useful construction for indicating the cause or origin of problems. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, particularly in news and media and scientific writing. When employing this phrase, clarity is key: ensure you clearly identify both the problem and its source. Alternatives like "problems originate from" or "challenges arise from" can provide variety while maintaining the core meaning. Understanding its usage and potential pitfalls will help you communicate more effectively about the causes of challenges and issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficulties derive from

Uses "derive from" as a more formal alternative to "stem from", maintaining the meaning.

difficulties are caused by

Uses a more direct causal verb "caused by" instead of "stem from", simplifying the sentence structure.

problems originate from

Replaces "difficulties" with "problems" and "stem from" with "originate from", altering the specific wording while retaining the causal relationship.

challenges arise from

Substitutes "difficulties" with "challenges" and "stem from" with "arise from", providing a slightly different tone but similar meaning.

the root cause of difficulties is

Emphasizes the "root cause", indicating a deeper or more fundamental source of the problems.

issues are rooted in

Replaces "difficulties" with "issues" and "stem from" with "are rooted in", changing the metaphor used to describe the origin.

difficulties spring from

Employs "spring from" to suggest a more sudden or emergent origin of the difficulties.

the source of the difficulties is

Restructures the sentence to emphasize "the source", offering a more direct way of indicating the origin.

difficulties have their origin in

Rephrases to specify that the "difficulties" possess an origin, providing a slightly more formal tone.

the underlying reason for difficulties is

Highlights the "underlying reason", indicating a less obvious or apparent cause.

FAQs

What does "difficulties stem from" mean?

The phrase "difficulties stem from" means that problems or challenges originate or arise from a particular source or cause. It indicates the root or origin of the issues being discussed.

How can I use "difficulties stem from" in a sentence?

You can use "difficulties stem from" to connect a problem with its cause. For example, "The team's difficulties stem from a lack of clear communication and conflicting goals."

What are some alternatives to "difficulties stem from"?

Alternatives include phrases like "problems originate from", "challenges arise from", or "issues are rooted in", which all convey a similar meaning of causation.

Is "difficulties stem from" formal or informal?

"Difficulties stem from" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While it is not overly technical, it provides a clear and concise way to express causation that is appropriate for various types of writing and speech.