difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a condition or situation that is hard to deal with. For example, "The difficulty of the exam made it hard for many students to pass."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

Opinion

Film

Books

Money

Lifestyle

Music

Sport

Social Care

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

With difficulty.

The New York Times - Arts

"Part of the difficulty is that the parties have got locked into their positions and it's very hard to get them out of that.

The Guardian

"These are, firstly, the difficulty of identifying clearly the hand of a hostile state government in the subversive destabilising effects they bring to bear in the early stages of such a strategy," he said.

The Guardian

US technology companies routinely complain about the difficulty of obtaining visas for foreign software engineers.

The Guardian - Tech

In Javid's letter, dated 12 March, the minister voiced his concern about the risk that the revived censorship proposal would be used "otherwise than intended, not least given the difficulty of defining extremism, and the consequent likelihood of the government being seen to be interfering with freedom of speech without sufficient justification".

The Guardian

That seems a sensible approach, and for a woman whose life isn't being hugely compromised by some other overwhelming difficulty, it's probably a fairly easy measure to put into place.

The Guardian - Opinion

Norovirus, the deepening difficulty of ensuring hospital rotas are fully staffed and the potential for bad weather producing a surge in patients with breathing trouble – the scenario the NHS fears worst – underlie why Hunt last week increased the extra money available to the service to cope with winter from £400m to £700m.

The Guardian

Mr Adams will sweep home in West Belfast, while Martin McGuinness, Sinn Fein's education minister, will have little difficulty in Mid Ulster.

The Guardian

The governor of the Bank of England has explained the difficulty of currency unions; numerous academics - including Alex Salmond's former adviser - don't think a currency union would be agreed; and the recent survey by the British Chambers of Commerce showed business opinion is firmly in favour of keeping the UK and not in favour of a currency union.

The Guardian

Writing his memoir of his own journey, Douglass recalled that when one of his owners tried to prevent him from reading, "I now understood what had been to me a most perplexing difficulty – to wit, the white man's power to enslave the black man".

The Guardian - Tech

The difficulty is that Westminster is now so toxic.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "difficulty" to refer to a specific instance of something being hard. If you're referring to a general tendency, consider using "difficulties" (plural) instead.

Common error

Avoid vague statements like "We faced some difficulty". Instead, specify the problem: "We faced difficulty in obtaining the necessary permits" This provides more clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The word "difficulty" primarily functions as a noun, referring to a condition or situation that presents obstacles and requires effort to overcome. Ludwig AI shows it's often used to describe challenges faced in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Opinion

10%

Tech

5%

Less common in

Books

3%

Lifestyle

3%

Sport

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "difficulty" is a versatile noun used to describe challenges, obstacles, and problematic situations across numerous contexts. According to Ludwig AI, it’s grammatically sound and widely used. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for various settings, though it is most frequently encountered in news and media. To enhance clarity, be specific about the nature of the "difficulty" and consider alternatives like ""challenge"", "obstacle", or ""hardship"" to refine your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trouble

A general term for problems or difficulties.

problem

Refers to a matter or situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with.

hardship

Emphasizes severe suffering or privation.

challenge

Focuses on the stimulating and demanding nature of a task.

struggle

Suggests a forceful or violent effort to get free of restraint or resist opposition.

obstacle

Highlights something that blocks progress or achievement.

setback

Indicates a reversal or impediment in progress.

predicament

Indicates a difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation.

complication

Points to a factor or condition that introduces difficulty.

complexity

Highlights the intricate and involved nature of something, leading to difficulty in understanding or dealing with it.

FAQs

How do I use "difficulty" in a sentence?

You can use "difficulty" to describe a challenge or obstacle. For example, "The main "challenge" was the lack of resources" or "She experienced "hardship" completing the project on time".

What can I say instead of "difficulty"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as ""challenge"", "obstacle", "problem", or ""hardship"".

Is it better to say "difficulty" or "difficulties"?

Use "difficulty" to refer to a general state or a specific instance. Use "difficulties" when referring to multiple instances or types of "problems".

What's the difference between "difficulty" and "complication"?

"Difficulty" refers to the general state of something being hard to do, while "complication" suggests an added factor that makes something harder. A complication introduces "challenges", creating "hardship" and "obstacles".