dramatic difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dramatic difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant challenge or obstacle in a dramatic context, such as in literature, theater, or film. Example: "The protagonist faced a dramatic difficulty that tested their resolve and character throughout the story."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Relief and assessment activities have had dramatic difficulty to determine the scale of the disaster and the death toll is expected to swell.

Unicef

The dramatic increase in whole-genome sequencing is thus accompanied by a dramatic difficulty to reach the full biological value of the sequenced genomes with accurate identification of the protein-coding genes, as well as the nature of the functional protein products.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The concept of centring an opera on the casting of a statue, the great sculpture of Perseus, may be brilliant in relation to such a colourful artist as Cellini, but it presents obvious dramatic difficulties.

The Guardian - Music

As yet, my children have not directly experienced family break-up, the death of a parent or even the less dramatic difficulties of moving house or horrible bullying at school, but I find most children's books seem to be on these themes.

The Guardian

Moreover, the growing use of brain computer interface (BCI) devices allows many patients to translate brain signals or ocular movements into commands, overtaking dramatic motor difficulties present in motorneurons disorders or other neurological syndromes [ 30].

Behavioral and Brain Functions

But you can't have such a dramatic change without difficulty".

Forbes

The predicted probabilities calculated by the models are dramatic: having economic difficulties has the same effect on disability prevalence as being 10 years older or being a woman instead of a man.

BMC Geriatrics

The tall height and long steam pipelines lengths will however, result in dramatic increases in the difficulty of construction, as well as increased power plant investment cost.

Applied Thermal Engineering

But the most dramatic illustration of the difficulty designers have had finding harmony in the Leiber Group is Ms. Dennis's forcible separation from the fashion label she founded more than a decade ago.

The New York Times

Disulfide-rich proteins constitute one of such groups: since the reduction of thiol thiol bonds must be carried out under suboptimal conditions (to minimize the back-exchange), it frequently results in incomplete dissociation of disulfide bridges prior to MS analysis, leading to a loss of signal, inadequate sequence coverage, and a dramatic increase in the difficulty of data analysis.

Analytical Chemistry

His involvement in the dispute is against advice from loyalist politicians, and marks a dramatic escalation of the difficulties facing the RUC and army.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dramatic difficulty" when you want to emphasize both the unexpected and impactful nature of a challenging situation.

Common error

Avoid using "dramatic difficulty" to describe everyday inconveniences. Reserve it for situations that genuinely involve high stakes or significant consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dramatic difficulty" functions as a noun phrase, where "dramatic" modifies "difficulty" to emphasize its severity and impact. Ludwig AI shows that this phrase is used to describe situations characterized by both significant challenges and unexpected or intense circumstances.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dramatic difficulty" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It's used to describe a significant challenge or obstacle in a dramatic or unexpected context. While not extremely common, it appears in various reputable sources including news media, science, and formal business communications. When using this phrase, ensure that the difficulty genuinely warrants the "dramatic" descriptor; otherwise, consider alternatives like "significant challenge" or "major impediment".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant challenge

This alternative replaces "difficulty" with a broader term for a demanding situation.

profound challenge

This alternative uses "profound" to emphasize the depth and significance of the difficulty.

major impediment

This suggests a substantial obstacle hindering progress.

substantial hurdle

This suggests a significant barrier that needs to be overcome.

severe hardship

This emphasizes the distressing nature of the difficulty.

extreme adversity

This highlights the extremely unfavorable circumstances.

formidable obstacle

This implies the difficulty is daunting and hard to overcome.

intense struggle

This focuses on the effort required to deal with the difficulty.

considerable setback

This emphasizes the hindering and delaying aspect of the difficulty.

critical struggle

This highlights the importance and intensity of the difficulty being faced.

FAQs

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

You can use "dramatic difficulty" to describe a situation presenting a significant challenge, as in: "The company's sudden loss of funding created a "dramatic difficulty" in meeting its payroll obligations."

What are some alternatives to "dramatic difficulty"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "dramatic difficulty" include "significant challenge", "major impediment", or "severe hardship".

Is "dramatic difficulty" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "dramatic difficulty" is appropriate for formal writing when describing a situation where a difficulty is both significant and unexpected. However, consider "substantial challenge" for more neutral tone.

What kind of situations warrant the description "dramatic difficulty"?

"Dramatic difficulty" is best used for describing crises, unexpected setbacks, or situations where ordinary problems are amplified by unforeseen circumstances. It suggests more than just a problem; it suggests a critical and impactful struggle.