difficulty achieved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficulty achieved" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used in contexts discussing the level of challenge that has been successfully met or overcome, but it may require additional context for clarity. Example: "After months of training, the difficulty achieved in completing the marathon was a testament to her dedication."

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Thus, Herculaneum offers a detailed impression of private life that is only with difficulty achieved in other centres of the ancient world.

Encyclopedia Britannica

More generally, the unwillingness to accept taxation, regulation and collective action that marketisation brings in its train reduces a society's ability to generate the high-quality human and physical infrastructure that an economy needs, but which is only with difficulty achieved through the market itself.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

They may have difficulty achieving optimal personal hygiene.

The New York Times - Science

A structure that prioritizes the independence of all those specialists will have enormous difficulty achieving great care.

The New Yorker

Others believe difficulty achieving the right qualifications (34%), and difficulty developing the right skills (27%) will prevent them from finding their dream job.

The Guardian

Their opinion of companies mattered even in the 1960s, but the conservatively run corporations of that period had little difficulty achieving high ratings.

The Guardian - Books

As a result, the group had difficulty achieving consensus and making timely decisions, particularly about the politically charged issues of strategy and organization design.

Harvard Business Review

Women with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often have difficulty achieving pregnancy and are at increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes.

American Journal of Kidney Diseases

Consumers and automotive journalists alike have had difficulty achieving the EPA-certified combined rating of 47mpg.

BBC

Schools - "the council will have difficulty achieving savings without efficiencies in schools".

BBC

With so much information available on content marketing best practices, why are companies still having difficulty achieving success?

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficulty achieved", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific difficulty was overcome. Consider alternatives like "challenge overcome" or "obstacle conquered" for clearer communication.

Common error

Avoid using "difficulty achieved" without clearly specifying the nature of the difficulty. Vague usage can confuse the reader and weaken the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficulty achieved" functions as a verb phrase that describes a completed action where a challenging situation was overcome. However, Ludwig suggests that it might sound awkward and should be reworded for better clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficulty achieved" is grammatically correct but may sound awkward and is relatively rare in usage. Ludwig flags the phrase as potentially unclear, suggesting it may need rewording. Analysis of its usage reveals that it functions to highlight the successful overcoming of a challenge. While its register is neutral, considering alternative phrases such as "challenge attained", "obstacle overcome", or "hardship conquered" could improve clarity and impact. It appears most often in news media and encyclopedic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenge attained

Emphasizes the successful reaching of a challenging goal.

obstacle overcome

Focuses on the act of successfully dealing with a specific impediment.

hardship conquered

Highlights the triumph over a difficult situation or period.

goal realized despite difficulties

Indicates that a goal was achieved even though there were problems along the way.

success against the odds

Implies that success was unlikely but still managed to happen.

triumph over adversity

Highlights victory over challenging or unfavorable circumstances.

feat accomplished with effort

Emphasizes the effort required to achieve a notable accomplishment.

milestone reached through struggle

Focuses on reaching a significant point after facing difficulties.

victory secured laboriously

Highlights the hard work and effort required to achieve a win.

problem resolved painstakingly

Indicates that a solution to a problem was found through careful and diligent effort.

FAQs

How can I use "difficulty achieved" in a sentence?

While grammatically correct, consider rewording for clarity. For example, instead of "The difficulty achieved in the project was significant", try "The project presented significant challenges that were overcome".

What are some alternatives to saying "difficulty achieved"?

You can use alternatives such as "challenge attained", "obstacle overcome", or "hardship conquered" depending on the context.

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

"Difficulties achieved" is not a common construction. "Difficulty achieved" is more acceptable but still somewhat awkward. Rephrasing is generally preferable.

What's the difference between "difficulty achieved" and "achievement despite difficulty"?

"Difficulty achieved" implies the difficulty itself was achieved, which doesn't make logical sense. "Achievement despite difficulty" is a clearer way to express that something was accomplished even though it was challenging.