encounters difficulties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "encounters difficulties" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone or something faces challenges or obstacles. Example: "The project encounters difficulties due to unforeseen circumstances that have arisen."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

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

Encyclopedia Britannica

If a student encounters difficulties, the teacher is called to give personal assistance through his own computer terminal.

MIT Technology Review

The rule should help the F.D.I.C. understand what positions a troubled institution holds before it encounters difficulties.

The New York Times

Evolutionary structural testing, an approach to automatically generate relevant unit test data, encounters difficulties when the software being tested contains boolean variables.

Journal of Systems and Software

Despite the fact that Objective Structured Clinical Examination is considered to be an efficient assessment method, their implementation in the undergraduate nursing curriculum encounters difficulties.

Nurse Education Today

The case is designed to stimulate a discussion of what types of public services are most suitable for private provision and what to do when a private project encounters difficulties.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

He is not the only one who encounters difficulty finding student veterans.

The New York Times

I am encountering difficulties with your RSS.

Columbia University

GBE, however, has encountered difficulties in penetrating the BOP market.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

And others are encountering difficulties going it alone.

The New York Times

PSA Finance received the assistance after it encountered difficulties in borrowing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "encounters difficulties" to describe situations where challenges arise unexpectedly during a process or project. It's suitable when the focus is on the unforeseen nature of the problems.

Common error

Avoid using "encounters difficulties" excessively in passive constructions. Instead of "difficulties were encountered", opt for a more direct and active form like "the team encountered difficulties" for clearer and more engaging writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "encounters difficulties" functions as a verb phrase, typically acting as the predicate of a clause. It describes the experience of facing challenges or problems. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "encounters difficulties" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that describes the experience of facing challenges. Ludwig AI confirms this, and its usage spans various contexts, including scientific research, news reporting, and academic discussions. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse in passive constructions and consider alternatives like "faces challenges" or "runs into problems" for greater impact and precision. The high source quality and expert rating underscore the phrase's reliability and appropriateness in formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

faces challenges

Focuses on the active confrontation of difficulties, rather than just experiencing them.

runs into problems

Implies an unexpected or accidental confrontation with difficulties.

experiences setbacks

Highlights the negative impact of the difficulties on progress.

meets obstacles

Suggests more tangible or defined impediments.

confronts hurdles

Emphasizes the need to overcome specific barriers.

grapples with issues

Indicates a struggle to understand or resolve complex problems.

struggles with complexities

Focuses on the intricate nature of the difficulties.

undergoes hardships

Suggests more severe and prolonged difficulties.

endures trials

Implies a test of resilience and perseverance.

navigates complexities

Emphasizes the process of maneuvering through difficult situations.

FAQs

How can I use "encounters difficulties" in a sentence?

You can use "encounters difficulties" to describe a situation where someone or something faces challenges or problems. For example, "The project encounters difficulties due to unforeseen circumstances."

What can I say instead of "encounters difficulties"?

You can use alternatives like "faces challenges", "runs into problems", or "experiences setbacks" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "encounters difficulties" or "is encountering difficulties"?

Both "encounters difficulties" and "is encountering difficulties" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Encounters difficulties" describes a general or recurring situation, while "is encountering difficulties" describes a current or ongoing situation.

What's the difference between "encounters difficulties" and "faces challenges"?

"Encounters difficulties" suggests that the challenges arise somewhat unexpectedly, while "faces challenges" emphasizes a more direct and active confrontation with those difficulties.