encounter difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

"encounter difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a difficulty confronting someone. For example: "The team encountered difficulty when they tried to develop a new system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Their nominations are not expected to encounter difficulty in the Senate.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times - Sports

"The average healthy person who consumes one serving of an energy drink is unlikely to encounter difficulty".

The New York Times - Health

"Buildings were purchased on the upside, Now, landlords may encounter difficulty justifying rents, and they recognize that there may be a drop.

The New York Times

She may, however, encounter difficulty when she tries to cope with the stress of caring for her family after the baby is born.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Shares of regional banks fell on Friday amid worries that businesses could encounter difficulty obtaining capital from large banks if Washington required them to hold more in reserves.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Neither is expected to encounter difficulties during confirmation hearings in the Senate.

The New York Times

After her father's death, Ms. Dennis began to encounter difficulties.

The New York Times

So he said his wife took over, only to immediately encounter difficulties.

The New York Times - Sports

It wasn't long, though, before this quest began to encounter difficulties.

The Guardian - Opinion

But senior citizens often encounter difficulties upon enrolling in private Medicare plans.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "encounter difficulty", consider the specific context and choose synonyms that reflect the intensity and nature of the problem. For instance, "face challenges" is less severe than "confront adversity".

Common error

Avoid using "encounter difficulty" repeatedly in your writing. Vary your vocabulary with synonyms like "face challenges", "run into problems", or "experience setbacks" to maintain reader engagement and convey nuanced meanings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "encounter difficulty" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as a predicate in a sentence. It describes the action of experiencing problems or challenges. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "encounter difficulty" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe facing challenges or problems. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase across diverse contexts. It is prevalent in scientific, news, and encyclopedic sources, reflecting a generally neutral to formal tone. When employing "encounter difficulty", writers should consider synonyms like "face challenges" or "run into problems" to avoid repetition and ensure the most appropriate nuance. While "encounter difficulty" is valid and common, awareness of its register and potential alternatives enhances the precision and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

face challenges

More general term indicating the presence of challenges; less specific about the severity.

run into problems

Implies an unexpected or accidental encounter with problems.

experience setbacks

Focuses on the negative impact of the problems encountered.

meet with obstacles

Highlights the obstructive nature of the encountered problems.

confront adversity

Suggests facing significant and unfavorable circumstances.

undergo hardship

Emphasizes the suffering and difficulty experienced.

deal with complications

Highlights the intricate or complex nature of the problems.

grapple with issues

Implies a struggle to resolve the encountered problems.

bear the brunt of troubles

Emphasizes enduring the negative consequences of the troubles.

be beset by problems

Indicates being persistently troubled or harassed by problems.

FAQs

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

You can use "encounter difficulty" to describe a situation where someone faces problems or challenges. For example, "The team may "face challenges" during the project implementation."

What are some alternatives to "encounter difficulty"?

Some alternatives include "face challenges", "run into problems", or "experience setbacks". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "encounter difficulty" or "have problems"?

"Encounter difficulty" is generally more formal than "have problems". "Have problems" is suitable for informal contexts, while "encounter difficulty" is appropriate for professional or academic writing.

What's the difference between "encounter difficulty" and "overcome difficulty"?

"Encounter difficulty" refers to facing a problem, while "overcome difficulty" implies successfully resolving or surpassing the problem. For example, you might "encounter difficulty" during a task but eventually "overcome" it.