difficulties that surfaced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficulties that surfaced" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing problems or challenges that have emerged or become apparent in a situation. Example: "During the project, several difficulties that surfaced required immediate attention from the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Many of the difficulties the charity has encountered this year mirror problems that surfaced in past catastrophes, records and interviews show.

The Washington Post

The challenges that surfaced include a lack of trust over issues such as intellectual property, uncertainty about the potential benefits of working together, and the difficulty on both sides of finding the time for initial exploratory conversations.

The Guardian

The Energy Department is entirely complicit in the difficulties that have surfaced at Los Alamos over the last several years.

The New York Times

The economic bubble burst, however, in 1989, and Price documents difficulties that have surfaced since that time.

Cornell University

Parallelization can also address some of the difficulties associated with scaling down mechanical oscillator size, which is generally favorable for sensitivity: difficulties that include reduced power handling capability and reduced effective interaction cross section (i.e., the sensor surface area).

ACS Photonics

This problem resulted from equipment difficulties that included an unusually hard plastic backing underlying the punch card, the accumulation of dislodged chads on this surface, and punch card perforation and misalignment problems.

The New York Times

Until new roads were built recently, it was accessible only with difficulty on poorly surfaced roads that were little more than a series of hairpin turns.

Los Angeles Times

And yet, ironically, one of the most common themes that surfaces over time is a genuine difficulty moving on.

Huffington Post

But difficulties soon surfaced.

The New York Times

"Aerosols provide that surface".

The New York Times - Science

And especially that surface.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "difficulties that surfaced" when you want to emphasize that problems were not initially apparent but emerged over time. It's especially effective in project management or historical analysis contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "difficulties that surfaced" when a simpler phrase like "problems arose" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficulties that surfaced" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, appearing in various contexts to introduce challenges or problems that were not initially apparent.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficulties that surfaced" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe problems that have come to light. While not extremely common, Ludwig AI indicates its usage is correct and appropriate across various contexts. Its primary function is to highlight emerging issues, often in news, scientific, or academic settings. Related phrases include "problems that emerged" and "challenges that arose", offering similar but slightly nuanced meanings. When using this phrase, consider the level of formality and ensure it fits the overall tone of your writing. As Ludwig suggests, while correct, be mindful of overusing it in place of simpler alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

problems that emerged

Focuses on the emergence of problems, a direct synonym with slightly broader applicability.

challenges that arose

Replaces "difficulties" with "challenges", implying a test of one's abilities or resources.

issues that came to light

Emphasizes the revelation or uncovering of issues, rather than simply their existence.

complications that surfaced

Substitutes "difficulties" with "complications", suggesting a more intricate or involved problem.

obstacles that presented themselves

Highlights the appearance of obstacles, framing the challenges as something to be overcome.

setbacks that materialized

Replaces "difficulties" with "setbacks", implying a temporary impediment to progress.

hurdles that appeared

Focuses on the appearance of hurdles, framing the challenges as obstacles to be overcome.

snags that developed

Substitutes "difficulties" with "snags", suggesting minor or unexpected problems.

roadblocks that emerged

Highlights the emergence of impediments, framing the challenges as something to be detoured.

glitches that surfaced

Replaces "difficulties" with "glitches", implying minor or technical problems.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "difficulties that surfaced"?

You can use alternatives like "problems that emerged", "challenges that arose", or "issues that came to light" depending on the context.

How do I use "difficulties that surfaced" in a sentence?

Use "difficulties that surfaced" to indicate that problems became apparent after a period of time or investigation. For example: "During the audit, several difficulties that surfaced required further investigation."

Is "difficulties that surfaced" formal or informal?

"Difficulties that surfaced" leans toward a more formal register. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "problems that came up" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "difficulties that surfaced" and "difficulties that existed"?

"Difficulties that surfaced" implies that the problems were not initially known or visible, while "difficulties that existed" suggests that the problems were present but perhaps not addressed.