encounter difficulties with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "encounter difficulties with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it any time you want to express the idea that someone has issues or troubles with something. For example: "The students were starting to encounter difficulties with the assignment when the professor decided to cancel class early."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

And what does it mean for the fact that poor people are much more likely to encounter difficulties with registration and faulty equipment?The Supreme Court was careful to argue that its ruling had no value as a precedent, and states are proceeding with their business in their usual piecemeal way.

The Economist

This table shows that Fourier descriptors encounter difficulties with postures 4 (60.8%), 8 (64.8%), and 10 (74.4%).

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

He used several case studies and examples to conclude that UIC code 406 is a good methodology for evaluating the main corridor capacity, but it may encounter difficulties with node (station) capacity evaluation.

Journal of Modern Transportation

One possible explanation would be that as these tasks require both spectral and temporal information processing, subjects with autism encounter difficulties with temporal information processing as supported by some studies revealing an abnormal temporal processing of auditory stimuli in speech [18] [22].

Plosone

2. Did your group encounter difficulties with the introduction?

BMC Medical Education

Nearly a quarter of the older people will encounter difficulties with e-Health, either because the never used Internet before or believe that Internet is difficult to use.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

But the Yankees could encounter difficulty with other segments of their bullpen.

The New York Times - Sports

To add to this dilemma, this population is also likely to encounter difficulty with health service access and utilisation.

BMC Health Services Research

However, it encounters difficulties with asexual organisms and with individual animals that happen to be celibate.

Encyclopedia Britannica

During this period, the council encountered difficulties with its direct-mail fund-raising system.

The New York Times

Mr. Lavrov suggested that Russian negotiators had encountered difficulties with American adoption laws, which differ from state to state; in Russia, adoption is federally regulated.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone. This phrase can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but ensure it aligns with the overall style of your writing. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "experience challenges with".

Common error

Avoid using "encounter difficulties with" in overly passive constructions. Instead of "Difficulties were encountered with the project", try "The team encountered difficulties with the project" for a more direct and engaging sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "encounter difficulties with" functions as a verbal phrase used to describe the experience of facing problems or challenges in relation to a particular task or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is grammatically sound and widely recognized in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "encounter difficulties with" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the experience of facing problems or challenges. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is considered a sound and widely recognized phrase in English. It is versatile, fitting in both formal and informal contexts, with primary usage in scientific and news-related content. While "encounter difficulties with" can effectively communicate challenges, there are several alternative phrases, such as "struggle with" or "have problems with", that can add nuance or emphasis depending on the specific context. When using the phrase, it is important to be specific about the nature of the difficulties and to avoid passive voice constructions for more engaging writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have problems with

A more direct and simple way to express the existence of issues.

experience issues with

Focuses on the occurrence of problems or difficulties.

face challenges with

Emphasizes the act of confronting problems, highlighting the active response to difficulties.

struggle with

Highlights the effort and difficulty involved in dealing with a problem.

run into trouble with

Suggests an unexpected or accidental encounter with problems.

meet obstacles with

Highlights the presence of barriers or impediments.

find it hard to

Indicates a subjective experience of difficulty, rather than an objective problem.

have a hard time with

Similar to 'find it hard to', but more informal and conversational.

are challenged by

Focuses on the stimulating or demanding aspect of the difficulties faced.

are hampered by

Implies that progress is being slowed or prevented by certain difficulties.

FAQs

What does "encounter difficulties with" mean?

The phrase "encounter difficulties with" means to experience problems or challenges while trying to accomplish something. It suggests that obstacles have arisen that are hindering progress.

What are some alternatives to "encounter difficulties with"?

You can use alternatives like "struggle with", "have problems with", or "face challenges with" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "encounter difficulties with" or "face difficulties with"?

Both "encounter difficulties with" and "face difficulties with" are correct. "Encounter" suggests a more passive experience of running into problems, while "face" implies a more active confrontation of challenges. Choose the word that best fits the context.

How can I use "encounter difficulties with" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "Many students "encounter difficulties with" the complex mathematical concepts in this course."