encounter the difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "encounter the difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing facing challenges or obstacles in various contexts, such as academic, professional, or personal situations. Example: "When working on complex projects, it is common to encounter the difficulty of time management."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

When pacifism is defined as anti-warism, we encounter the difficulty of defining war.

SEP

We may also encounter the difficulty of an insufficient sample size.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

The comparison of entirely different matrices such as gels, nanofibers and sponges has to encounter the difficulty that the physical properties of the matrices like stiffness/elasticity, stability, diffusion of nutrients, pore size and many others differ in a wide range.

BMC Biotechnology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

You would not expect someone of James Woolsey's professional stature to encounter the difficulties he did in dealing with the Central Intelligence Agency and the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

The New York Times - Magazine

When we consider system (1.1) by using the classical critical point theory, we encounter the difficulties due to the lack of an appropriate working space.

Boundary Value Problems

Many are blessed with never having to encounter the difficulties that life can bring.

Huffington Post

When Baber did so, he encountered the difficulty of turning a blueprint into a working weapon.

The New Yorker

With the interconnection of DER and change of operation and control modes in the ADN, the traditional feeder automation method encounters the difficulty.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

Furthermore, stepwise solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) of branching peptides such as MAPs commonly encounters the difficulty of purification to homogeneity and characterization of the final products.

Chemistry Central Journal

But this move encounters the difficulty that man has to be both a product of historical processes and the origin of history.

SEP

He has tried to be free, and in doing so has encountered the difficulties of what to say, what is acceptable, what is permissible.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "encounter the difficulty" to describe a situation where someone unexpectedly faces a problem or challenge. This phrase is particularly effective in formal or academic writing.

Common error

Avoid using overly complex vocabulary when simpler alternatives are available. While "encounter the difficulty" is appropriate in certain contexts, simpler phrases like "face a problem" can be more direct and accessible to a wider audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "encounter the difficulty" functions as a verbal phrase used to describe the act of experiencing or facing a challenge or problem. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "encounter the difficulty" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes facing or experiencing a problem or challenge. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage is correct and appears across various contexts, including science and news media. While not exceedingly common, it is a reliable phrase that conveys the experience of dealing with obstacles. Alternatives such as "face the challenge" or "run into problems" offer simpler ways to express similar ideas, depending on the specific context and desired tone. Be mindful of overusing complex vocabulary and prioritize clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

face the difficulty

Replaces "encounter" with "face", suggesting a more direct confrontation with the problem.

experience the difficulty

Substitutes "encounter" with "experience", emphasizing the subjective feeling of dealing with a problem.

meet with difficulty

Uses "meet with" instead of "encounter", implying a chance or unexpected meeting with a challenge.

run into difficulty

Replaces "encounter" with "run into", suggesting an unexpected or accidental meeting with a problem.

come up against a difficulty

Emphasizes resistance or opposition when dealing with the problem.

grapple with the difficulty

Highlights the struggle and effort involved in dealing with the problem.

struggle with the difficulty

Focuses on the challenging and laborious aspect of facing the problem.

be confronted with the difficulty

Emphasizes being directly faced with the problem, often unexpectedly.

find it difficult

Shifts the focus to the feeling of finding something challenging.

have trouble with

Indicates a problem or challenge in a more general or less formal way.

FAQs

What does "encounter the difficulty" mean?

The phrase "encounter the difficulty" means to experience or face a problem or challenge, often unexpectedly. It suggests that someone has come across something that is causing them trouble.

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

You can use "encounter the difficulty" to describe a situation where someone is facing a challenge. For example: "During the experiment, the researchers "encountered the difficulty" of controlling all the variables."

What are some alternatives to "encounter the difficulty"?

Alternatives to "encounter the difficulty" include "face the challenge", "run into problems", or "experience difficulties". The best alternative depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is it better to say "encounter a difficulty" or "encounter the difficulty"?

Both "encounter a difficulty" and "encounter the difficulty" are grammatically correct. "Encounter a difficulty" refers to a general instance of facing a problem, while "encounter the difficulty" usually refers to a specific, previously mentioned, or understood problem.