difficulty as to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficulty as to" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used to indicate a challenge or problem related to a particular topic or situation. Example: There was great difficulty as to finding a suitable location for the new school building.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Moreover, the original difficulty as to the unity of the thing is left unsolved by this move, since it becomes possible to ask what it is that binds the qualities to their substance.

SEP

However, as far as local motion is concerned, there is no difficulty as to what constitutes the true or absolute motion of a body in a finite geocentric universe.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A three-way ANOVA was performed to determine if a three-way interaction effect exists among RPD, SIM, and DWD for explaining item difficulty, as well as to understand which factor contributes the most to item difficulty.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

Compounding the difficulty, as in a loss last week to North Carolina State, North Carolina's guards appeared to quit looking for Jamison.

The New York Times - Sports

PST teaches patients structured problem solving strategies that they learn to apply to everyday difficulties, as well as to more significant adverse life events, such as divorce or serious medical illness.

BMC Psychiatry

First of all it was very crevassed and pretty rotten; we were often in difficulties as to which way we should tackle it.

Independent

But if we allow ourselves to regard it as a hostile organization, opposed to the proper sovereignty and dignity of the State governments, we shall continue to be vexed with difficulties as to its jurisdiction and authority.

Cornell University

Our findings of 'concern with experimentation' and 'travel difficulty' as barriers to participation are similar to a recent meta-analysis by Mills et al. [ 21].

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Perhaps strangely, I recall those times of deep poverty not as difficulties, as much as opportunities to learn about myself, or perhaps more accurately, about my True Self.

Huffington Post

However, nasoenteral intubation for MR enteroclysis may cause patient discomfort, and it involves various technical and logistical difficulties, as well as exposure to radiation.

Cancer Imaging

This example is thus a good guideline; however one encounters difficulties as soon as one want to extend it to more general situations.

Applied and Computational Harmonic Analysis

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficulty as to", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific aspect is causing the challenge or problem. Be precise to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "difficulty as to" in casual or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "difficulty with" or "problem regarding" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficulty as to" functions as a prepositional phrase, often introducing or clarifying the nature of a challenge or obstacle related to a specific topic. Ludwig AI identifies its use in academic and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficulty as to" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to specify a problem or challenge regarding a particular subject. Ludwig AI identifies it more in formal, academic, and scientific writings rather than informal contexts. Its relative infrequency suggests that while correct, simpler alternatives are often preferred in general usage. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity and precision to avoid ambiguity, aligning with its common application in authoritative sources like the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy and The New York Times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trouble as to

Replaces 'difficulty' with 'trouble', indicating a problematic or challenging situation.

dilemma as to

Replaces 'difficulty' with 'dilemma', suggesting a situation involving a choice between equally undesirable options.

challenge as to

Substitutes 'difficulty' with 'challenge', suggesting a stimulating but demanding task or situation.

doubt as to

Substitutes 'difficulty' with 'doubt', focusing on uncertainty or skepticism regarding something.

issues as to

Replaces 'difficulty' with 'issues', focusing on specific points of concern or debate.

complexity as to

Replaces 'difficulty' with 'complexity', highlighting the intricate and challenging nature of the matter.

disadvantage as to

Substitutes 'difficulty' with 'disadvantage', emphasizing the unfavorable aspect related to something.

constraints as to

Substitutes 'difficulty' with 'constraints', highlighting limitations or restrictions related to something.

predicament as to

Replaces 'difficulty' with 'predicament', indicating a difficult, unpleasant, or dangerous situation.

hurdle as to

Substitutes 'difficulty' with 'hurdle', suggesting an obstacle or impediment to overcome.

FAQs

How can I use "difficulty as to" in a sentence?

Use "difficulty as to" to introduce a specific problem or challenge related to a particular subject. For example: "There was some difficulty as to the proper procedure for handling the new equipment".

What are some alternatives to "difficulty as to"?

You can use alternatives like "problem with", "challenge regarding", or "issue concerning" to express a similar meaning.

Is "difficulty as to" formal or informal?

"Difficulty as to" is considered a relatively formal expression. In more casual contexts, simpler alternatives like "problem with" or "difficulty with" may be more appropriate.

When is it best to use "difficulty as to"?

Use "difficulty as to" in formal writing or when discussing complex or technical issues where precision is important. It's particularly useful when highlighting specific points of contention or challenges.