difficulty that surfaced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficulty that surfaced" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a problem or challenge that has become apparent or noticeable in a situation. Example: "During the project, a difficulty that surfaced was the lack of communication among team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Many of the difficulties the charity has encountered this year mirror problems that surfaced in past catastrophes, records and interviews show.

The Washington Post

The challenges that surfaced include a lack of trust over issues such as intellectual property, uncertainty about the potential benefits of working together, and the difficulty on both sides of finding the time for initial exploratory conversations.

The Guardian

The Energy Department is entirely complicit in the difficulties that have surfaced at Los Alamos over the last several years.

The New York Times

The economic bubble burst, however, in 1989, and Price documents difficulties that have surfaced since that time.

Cornell University

Until new roads were built recently, it was accessible only with difficulty on poorly surfaced roads that were little more than a series of hairpin turns.

Los Angeles Times

That trait surfaced early.

The New York Times

But difficulties soon surfaced.

The New York Times

Parallelization can also address some of the difficulties associated with scaling down mechanical oscillator size, which is generally favorable for sensitivity: difficulties that include reduced power handling capability and reduced effective interaction cross section (i.e., the sensor surface area).

ACS Photonics

This problem resulted from equipment difficulties that included an unusually hard plastic backing underlying the punch card, the accumulation of dislodged chads on this surface, and punch card perforation and misalignment problems.

The New York Times

The first inkling of financial difficulties in here surfaced in the chow hall.

The New York Times

New difficulties also have surfaced over the past few days.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "difficulty that surfaced", ensure that the context clearly indicates when and how the difficulty became apparent. Providing specific details enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "difficulty that surfaced" without clearly specifying what the difficulty is. Always identify the specific issue to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficulty that surfaced" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a problem or challenge that has become apparent. It is often used to set the stage for further explanation or discussion of the issue. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficulty that surfaced" is a grammatically correct phrase used to introduce a problem or challenge that has become apparent. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English, though examples are currently limited. It's versatile enough for use in neutral to formal contexts and is often used to set the stage for discussing or resolving the identified issue. Remember to clearly identify the specific difficulty for maximum clarity. Alternatives include "problem that emerged" and "issue that arose".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

problem that emerged

Replaces "difficulty" with "problem" and "surfaced" with "emerged", focusing on the appearance of an issue.

issue that arose

Substitutes "difficulty" with "issue" and "surfaced" with "arose", indicating the origination of a problem.

challenge that presented itself

Replaces "difficulty" with "challenge" and rephrases "surfaced" to emphasize the active appearance of the challenge.

complication that came to light

Substitutes "difficulty" with "complication" and uses "came to light" to highlight the revealing of the issue.

obstacle that materialized

Replaces "difficulty" with "obstacle" and "surfaced" with "materialized", suggesting the physical or concrete appearance of a hindrance.

setback that appeared

Replaces "difficulty" with "setback" and "surfaced" with "appeared", focusing on the emergence of a temporary impediment.

hitch that arose

Uses "hitch" instead of "difficulty", indicating a minor problem, and "arose" instead of "surfaced".

snag that emerged

Replaces "difficulty" with "snag", suggesting a small, unexpected problem, and "surfaced" with "emerged".

impediment that arose

Replaces "difficulty" with "impediment", highlighting a barrier or obstruction, and "surfaced" with "arose".

problem that became apparent

Focuses on the problem becoming clear or noticeable, replacing "surfaced" with "became apparent".

FAQs

How can I use "difficulty that surfaced" in a sentence?

You can use "difficulty that surfaced" to introduce a problem or challenge that became apparent in a situation. For example: "A difficulty that surfaced during the project was the lack of resources."

What can I say instead of "difficulty that surfaced"?

You can use alternatives like "problem that emerged", "issue that arose", or "challenge that presented itself" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "difficulty that surfaced" or "difficulty that has surfaced"?

Both "difficulty that surfaced" and "difficulty that has surfaced" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the context. "Difficulty that surfaced" implies the difficulty became apparent at a specific point in the past, while "difficulty that has surfaced" implies the difficulty has become apparent recently or continues to be relevant.

What's the difference between "difficulty that surfaced" and "problem that became apparent"?

While both phrases are similar, "difficulty that surfaced" suggests the emergence of a challenge, whereas "problem that became apparent" emphasizes the realization or understanding of the issue.