difficulty to operate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficulty to operate" is not correct in standard written English.
A more appropriate phrase would be "difficulty in operating." Example: "The new software has a significant difficulty in operating, which has frustrated many users."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

After discovering the tapes he took them to a friend, who managed, with some difficulty, to operate the recorder and transfer the sound to a digital file.

The New York Times - Books

Although the most widely used laryngoscope for these situations is the direct Miller laryngoscope, its difficulty to operate without experience can lead to an unacceptably high incidence of inaccurate intubation [ 3].

BioMed Research International

Although the most widely used laryngoscope for these situations is the Mil, its difficulty to operate without experience can lead to an unacceptable high incidence of inaccurate intubation [ 15].

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The difficulties of trying to operate the television licence system in west Belfast illustrated the problems that it might encounter in difficult areas, he added.

The Guardian

It was nights like this when the sheer joy emanating from that stage transcended the difficulties of trying to operate the place.

The New York Times - Arts

Moreover, the results in Table 3 show that our participants did not have difficulty in learning how to operate these new interfaces.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

Multi-gene diagnostic tests may infringe existing DNA-sequence or method claims, and difficulty in securing freedom to operate could slow some promising clinical technologies.

Genome Medicine

The Rangers manager, Walter Smith, has made no secret of the lack of funds at the Ibrox club and the difficulties in being forced to operate with such a small squad.

Independent

He was well-educated and spoke both German and English fluently, which would enable him to operate without difficulty in the United States.

The New York Times

The following steps are presented in order of least expense and / or level of difficulty to perform or operate, down to most expense and difficulty.

WikiHow

In our discussion of performance in Additional file 5, we describe how interfacing with the cameras was often tricky and fraught with difficulties, and troubleshooting problems related to operating system compatibility and other computer-related issues was one of the most time-consuming parts of this project.

Journal of Applied Volcanology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing operational difficulties, consider using the more grammatically standard phrase "difficulty in operating" or "difficulty operating" for clearer communication.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "difficulty to operate" as it can sound awkward. Instead, opt for "difficulty in operating" or "difficulty operating" to ensure grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficulty to operate" functions as a noun phrase describing a challenge or problem related to the use of something. However, according to Ludwig, it's not considered standard English. A more precise option is "difficulty in operating".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficulty to operate" is used to describe challenges in using or managing something, but it is not considered grammatically standard English. Ludwig AI indicates that "difficulty in operating" or "difficulty operating" are more appropriate alternatives. Although the phrase appears in a variety of sources, including news and scientific articles, its slightly awkward phrasing makes it less suitable for formal and scientific contexts. The use of alternative phrases such as "hard to use", "difficult to utilize", or "challenging to operate" is advisable for clearer and more precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not easy to operate

States a lack of simplicity in the operation.

challenging to operate

Highlights the operational complexities.

hard to use

Focuses on the user experience being challenging.

difficult to utilize

Emphasizes the complexity involved in making something functional.

complex to handle

Points out the intricacy of managing something.

demands expertise to operate

Emphasizes that the expression needs specific expertise to operate.

requires skill to operate

Emphasizes that the expression needs specific skill to operate.

troublesome to control

Focuses on the difficulties in maintaining command or regulation.

cumbersome to manage

Implies that the management is awkward and inefficient.

unwieldy to employ

Highlights the impracticality of using something.

FAQs

Is "difficulty to operate" grammatically correct?

While understandable, the phrase "difficulty to operate" is not considered standard English. It's better to use "difficulty in operating" or "difficulty operating".

What are some alternatives to "difficulty to operate"?

You can use alternatives such as "hard to use", "difficult to utilize", or "challenging to operate" depending on the context.

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

Example: "The company experienced significant difficulty in operating the new machinery efficiently."

Which is correct: "difficulty to operate" or "difficulty in operating"?

"Difficulty in operating" is the preferred and more grammatically sound option. "Difficulty to operate" is less common and can sound awkward.