difficulty in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficulty in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing challenges or obstacles encountered in a specific context or task. Example: "She expressed her difficulty in understanding the complex mathematical concepts presented in class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Difficulty in keeping hatband exclusive.

The New Yorker

Describes their difficulty in selling the stock.

The New Yorker

She has obvious difficulty in expressing sympathy.

The New Yorker

We had no difficulty in securing testimony".

The Guardian

"I have difficulty in excelling".

The Guardian - Film

Mr. Miranda acknowledged the difficulty in this.

The New York Times

They had difficulty in predicting it.

The Guardian

The difficulty in itself can be tantalizing.

The New York Times

The stewardess had difficulty in reviving him.

The New Yorker

"I find great difficulty in thinking of it".

The New York Times

HUNT -- The Americans probably have more difficulty in doing that.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficulty in", ensure the verb that follows is in the -ing form (gerund). For example, "difficulty in understanding" is correct, while "difficulty in understand" is incorrect.

Common error

Avoid using the base form of a verb directly after "difficulty in". Always use the gerund form. For example, it's more appropriate to say "I have difficulty in speaking publicly" instead of "I have difficulty in speak publicly".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficulty in" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a challenge or problem associated with a particular action or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used to express obstacles encountered. For example, "difficulty in breathing" or "difficulty in understanding" demonstrates its role in specifying where someone experiences trouble.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficulty in" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a challenge or problem related to a specific action or situation. It is grammatically correct and widely accepted, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, making it suitable for various contexts, from news reports to scientific papers. Though it can adopt a neutral tone, remember to use the gerund form (verb + -ing) after the phrase. Ludwig examples highlighted that is very common in journalistic and scientific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

struggle with

Indicates a direct and personal experience of finding something hard to do or understand.

challenge in

Highlights the aspect of a test or a demanding situation needing effort to overcome.

problem with

Points to a specific issue or obstacle causing the "difficulty in" achieving a certain goal.

trouble with

Suggests a mild form of "difficulty in", often related to practical or logistical matters.

hardship in

Emphasizes the adversity and suffering caused by the "difficulty in" handling a situation.

impediment to

Formal term describing something blocking progress or making an action more difficult.

constraint on

Focuses on a limitation or restriction that causes "difficulty in" acting freely or achieving objectives.

obstacle to

Highlights a barrier that needs to be overcome, causing "difficulty in" reaching a destination or goal.

setback in

Refers to a temporary obstruction or reversal that causes "difficulty in" maintaining progress.

complexity of

Emphasizes the intricate and complicated nature of something making understanding or resolution difficult

FAQs

How to use "difficulty in" in a sentence?

The phrase "difficulty in" is followed by a gerund (verb ending in -ing). For example: "They expressed "difficulty in having" expectations about the future."

What can I say instead of "difficulty in"?

You can use alternatives like "struggle with", "challenge in", or "problem with" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "difficulty in doing" or "difficulty to do"?

"Difficulty in doing" is the grammatically correct form. Use "difficulty in" followed by a gerund. The expression "difficulty to do" can be rephrased as "difficult to do".

What's the difference between "difficulty in" and "difficulty with"?

"Difficulty in" is typically followed by a gerund (verb ending in -ing), while "difficulty with" is usually followed by a noun. For example: "difficulty in understanding" versus "difficulty with the concept".