encountered a difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "encountered a difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a situation where someone experiences an obstacle or problem. For example, "The team encountered a difficulty when they tried to finish their project early."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Their model encountered a difficulty in predicting deposition areas in the harbor.

Earth, Planets and Space

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

To understand the behavior of waves at a fluid surface in configurations where the surface and the bottom meet (islands, beaches…), one encounters a difficulty: the presence in the bulk of the fluid of an edge, at the triple line.

University of California, Berkeley

If I encounter a difficulty, or if I look at the material reality that surrounds us in America, it's easy and weirdly soothing to embrace sadness, to go passive-nihilistic-depressive".

The New Yorker

So, the optimum crown shape design is essential for improving the tire wear performance, however it encounters a difficulty of long CPU time when the sensitivity analysis invokes the direct FEM analysis.

Computers & Structures

Abstract: To understand the behavior of waves at a fluid surface in configurations where the surface and the bottom meet (islands, beaches…), one encounters a difficulty: the presence in the bulk of the fluid of an edge, at the triple line.

University of California, Berkeley

"However, we have encountered a financial difficulty due to the fact that our bankers HSBC have held £1m of our money which would otherwise have been devoted to fulfilling our orders.

The Guardian - Money

I encountered a couple difficulty spikes that had me more frustrated than challenged.

Forbes

Finally, we also encountered a general difficulty in accessing detailed registry data; both aggregated data for the general public, and patient-level data for external research.

BMC Nephrology

The letter also states that 5% of applicants have encountered a "technical difficulties" while using the service, and that HMRC has received 1,507 complaints about the service, more than 90% of which were to do with technical issues.

The Guardian - Money

Though I've had early access to the app for some time, I've personally encountered a few difficulties with the hardware (thanks to being shipped a wrongly programmed device in error) and issues with my account.

TechCrunch

When identifying the best evidence to be included in the PtDA, we encountered a few difficulties.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "encountered a difficulty", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. Alternatives like "faced an obstacle" or "ran into a problem" might be more appropriate depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid overusing "encountered" in your writing. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "faced", "experienced", or "ran into" to maintain reader engagement and avoid monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "encountered a difficulty" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of experiencing or facing a problem. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is both correct and commonly used to describe such situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

25%

News & Media

25%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "encountered a difficulty" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to indicate the experience of facing an obstacle or problem. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a suitable choice across various contexts, from academic and scientific writing to news reporting. While synonyms like "faced an obstacle" or "ran into a problem" may offer more specific nuances, "encountered a difficulty" serves as a versatile and readily understood option. When employing this phrase, consider varying your vocabulary to avoid overuse and maintain reader engagement. Its frequency in authoritative sources underscores its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

faced an obstacle

This alternative highlights the confrontation with a barrier, emphasizing the challenge presented.

ran into a problem

This suggests an unexpected issue arose, differing slightly in its implication of chance.

experienced a setback

This emphasizes the negative impact of the difficulty, focusing on the delay or regression caused.

met with a challenge

This alternative frames the difficulty as a test of one's abilities, slightly more positive in connotation.

was presented with a hurdle

This paints the difficulty as something to overcome, focusing on the action required to proceed.

found oneself in a predicament

This implies a more complex and potentially confusing situation resulting from the difficulty.

stumbled upon an issue

This suggests an accidental discovery of the difficulty, reducing the sense of direct confrontation.

came up against an impediment

This formal alternative emphasizes the hindering nature of the difficulty.

had trouble with

This is a more casual alternative, indicating difficulty without necessarily implying a major obstacle.

struggled with a complication

This emphasizes the effort required to manage the difficulty, highlighting its complex nature.

FAQs

What does "encountered a difficulty" mean?

The phrase "encountered a difficulty" means to experience or face a problem, obstacle, or challenge. It suggests that something unexpected or undesirable has arisen.

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

You can use "encountered a difficulty" to describe a situation where someone faced a problem. For example, "The research team "encountered a difficulty" when they couldn't replicate the experimental results."

What are some alternatives to "encountered a difficulty"?

Some alternatives to "encountered a difficulty" include "faced an obstacle", "ran into a problem", or "experienced a setback". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "encountered a difficulty" or "had a problem"?

"Encountered a difficulty" is generally more formal than "had a problem". The former is suitable for academic or professional writing, while the latter is appropriate for more casual contexts.