encountered difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "encountered difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone faced challenges or obstacles in a particular task or process. Example: "During the project, we encountered difficulty in meeting the tight deadlines set by the client."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Have you encountered difficulty repaying student loans?

The New York Times

At the beginning of his set, Blunt encountered difficulty.

The Guardian - Music

Bechler encountered difficulty during the team's workout at Fort Lauderdale Stadium on Sunday.

The New York Times - Sports

But other revenue-generating proposals championed by Mr. Hollande have encountered difficulty.

The New York Times

Ms. Rose, of Chiboust said that she, too, had encountered difficulty in booking reservations later in the evening.

The New York Times

The problem for Mr. McCain, the surveys showed, is that he encountered difficulty attracting members of his own party.

The New York Times

Alderson was asked whether Wright and Dickey would be "trade bait" if the Mets encountered difficulty in the negotiations.

The New York Times

Subsequently, child No. 3 encountered difficulty in her fourth-grade tracked-math class, and the teacher recommended that she be dropped down a level.

The New York Times

Those methods, Mr. Williamson said, essentially involved tying a rope around the climbers and pulling them up the mountain whenever they encountered difficulty.

The New York Times

As a result, the Fed, trying to control inflation, encountered difficulty in applying the usual tactic of raising interest rates to discourage lending.

The New York Times

It nevertheless encountered difficulty in finding financial backing for its venture into a mostly unsettled wilderness until the Philadelphia banker Jay Cooke undertook to raise $100,000,000.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "encountered difficulty", clearly specify what caused the difficulty to provide context and clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "encountered difficulty" as a way to obscure responsibility or agency. Instead, focus on who or what experienced the difficulty and why. This makes the writing more direct and informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "encountered difficulty" functions as a verbal phrase indicating that someone or something experienced problems or challenges. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is commonly used to describe situations where progress was hindered.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

34%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "encountered difficulty" is a versatile expression used to describe situations where challenges or problems have arisen. Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in news, science, and wiki contexts. When using this phrase, it is best to provide specific details about the source and nature of the difficulty to offer clarity. Remember to use alternatives like "faced challenges" or "ran into obstacles" to improve the writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

faced challenges

Focuses on the active confrontation of difficulties.

experienced problems

Highlights the problems as the central issue.

ran into obstacles

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the difficulties.

met with setbacks

Focuses on the hindering aspect of the difficulties.

had complications

Highlights the complex nature of the issues.

struggled with issues

Emphasizes the effort required to overcome the difficulties.

endured hardships

Stresses the severity and duration of the difficulties.

contended with adversity

Highlights the opposing force of the difficulties.

grappled with complexities

Focuses on intricate and confusing nature of challenges.

underwent trials

Emphasizes the testing and challenging nature of the difficulties.

FAQs

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

You can use "encountered difficulty" to describe facing a challenge. For example, "The team "encountered difficulty" in securing funding for the project."

What are some alternatives to "encountered difficulty"?

Alternatives include "faced challenges", "experienced problems", or "ran into obstacles". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "encounter difficulty" or "encountered difficulty"?

"Encounter difficulty" is the base form, suitable for general statements. "Encountered difficulty" is the past tense, used to describe a specific instance where difficulty was faced.

What's the difference between "encountered difficulty" and "faced a problem"?

"Encountered difficulty" suggests a more general or ongoing challenge, while "faced a problem" implies a specific, defined issue. "Encountered difficulty" can also imply a process with ongoing obstacles.