difficulty of conversation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficulty of conversation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing challenges or obstacles encountered during a conversation, such as misunderstandings or communication barriers. Example: "The difficulty of conversation between the two parties led to a breakdown in negotiations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Showing that they were familiar with self-harm and using a young person's own language, or adapting language to suit each individual, was seen as crucial to establishing dialogue; ' I think we have to adapt the language and the difficulty of conversation to the individual and the situation.

Family Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

However, it is non-trivial to combine these tasks due to the difficulty of building conversations that can account for changes in the problem-solving state.

International Journal of STEM Education

And, with the semester over, I can assuredly say that there was no significant difference in level of difficulty or quality of conversation in the classroom; I never once felt overwhelmed, exhausted, outperformed or underprepared.

Huffington Post

When family members translated, clinicians had difficulty managing the flow of conversation and staying focused on patients.

BMC Family Practice

He reported to his primary care physician that he had been having difficulty remembering details of conversations and meetings at work and that this was beginning to interfere with his productivity.

Alzheimer's Research and Therapy

And the difficulty of merging performance and conversation is the main reason for the mixed reception of the musical version of Pedro Almodóvar's Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, at the Playhouse theatre in London.

The Guardian

But, he says, "we have difficulties having that same kind of conversation, not just with Alaskans but in this country in general".

Forbes

However, focusing on the cognitive dimension of the framework, a persistent issue is the difficulty of participants in online conversations to proceed to common understanding and joint construction of meaning.

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

During the rating process, students attended a further two group meetings at which they could discuss any difficulties with rating and categorising aspects of conversation.

Aphasiology

Patients with Alzheimer's disease frequently complain of difficulty following a conversation in a busy room or over a noisy telephone line and to generic deficits of central auditory processing (Strouse et al., 1995; Gates et al., 1996, 2008, 2011; Golob et al., 2007, 2009; Goll et al., 2011).

Brain

Gough glimpsed the difficulty of being a muse, telling of conversations in which Callas struggled with feeling trapped by Graves' insatiable dependence on her for his creative process.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "difficulty of conversation" when you want to highlight the process of conversing is challenging, rather than just stating that communication failed.

Common error

Avoid using "difficulty of conversation" when a simpler phrase like "communication breakdown" or "misunderstanding" (/s/misunderstanding) would suffice. "Difficulty of conversation" suggests an ongoing struggle, not just a single incident.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficulty of conversation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state or condition related to the act of conversing. Ludwig examples show it used in various contexts, like clinical observations or general communication challenges.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficulty of conversation" is a versatile term used to describe challenges that impede effective communication. As Ludwig examples show, it appears in diverse contexts, from scientific discussions about communication disorders to everyday challenges in personal relationships. Ludwig AI states that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. When using this phrase, it's important to be specific about the source of the difficulty, such as language barriers or differing opinions. Alternatives like "communication breakdown" or "communication barrier" might be more appropriate in certain situations. Overall, "difficulty of conversation" is a useful phrase for highlighting the complexities inherent in human interaction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to converse

States the difficulty in a more direct and simple manner.

communication barrier

Emphasizes the obstacle preventing effective conversation.

challenges in dialogue

Highlights the problems encountered when attempting a meaningful exchange.

problematic communication

Highlights issues and troubles in the conversation process.

communication breakdown

Focuses on the failure of communication rather than the inherent difficulty.

impeded communication

Suggests that communication is blocked or hindered.

conversational impasse

Emphasizes a standstill or inability to progress in the conversation.

strained discourse

Implies tension and awkwardness in the conversation.

awkward exchange

Focuses on the uncomfortable nature of the interaction.

tough discussion

Focuses on the emotional difficulty and potential sensitivities involved.

FAQs

What does "difficulty of conversation" mean?

The phrase "difficulty of conversation" refers to challenges or obstacles encountered during a communicative exchange. This can arise from various factors like differing opinions, language barriers, emotional sensitivities, or cognitive impairments.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "difficulty of conversation"?

Use "difficulty of conversation" when you want to emphasize the challenging nature of the conversational process itself, rather than simply stating that communication failed. It implies a sustained effort to communicate despite obstacles.

What are some alternatives to "difficulty of conversation"?

Some alternatives include "communication breakdown", "communication barrier", "challenges in dialogue", or "impeded communication", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "difficulty of conversation" formal or informal?

The phrase "difficulty of conversation" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness largely depends on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the communication. It can be used in academic papers, news articles, or even casual discussions.