face difficulties

USAGE SUMMARY

"face difficulties" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is often used to refer to a situation of having to deal with a challenge or problem. For example: "The family faced difficulties after their home was destroyed in the storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But Hamas does face difficulties.

The New York Times

Others in the industry, though, face difficulties.

The Economist

Many face difficulties of their own making.

The Guardian

You will face difficulties over bank accounts.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Democrats face difficulties of their own.

The New York Times

Other plants comparable in importance to Marble Hill face difficulties.

The New York Times

However many students face difficulties to learn calculus.

IERI Procedia

Midwives may therefore face difficulties when caring for these clients.

International Journal of Nursing Studies

Students often face difficulties in understanding these concepts.

Education for Chemical Engineers

Of course, any new entrant would face difficulties.

The New Yorker

Moreover, a loan from the Treasury would face difficulties.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "face difficulties", ensure the context clearly specifies the nature of the difficulties being encountered. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "face difficulties" without specifying what those difficulties are. For example, instead of saying "The project faced difficulties", specify "The project faced difficulties due to budget constraints and unforeseen delays."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "face difficulties" functions as a verbal phrase describing the act of encountering and dealing with problems or challenges. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this is a common and correct usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "face difficulties" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that someone or something is encountering problems. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Analysis of the provided examples shows that it is most frequently used in News & Media and Scientific contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, ensuring the context clearly specifies the nature of the difficulties helps maintain clarity. Alternatives such as "encounter challenges" or "experience problems" can provide subtle variations in meaning, depending on the desired emphasis. When writing, avoid vagueness by clearly indicating the specific challenges faced when using the phrase "face difficulties".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experience problems

Substitutes "difficulties" with "problems" and "face" with "experience", offering a more general expression.

encounter challenges

Replaces "difficulties" with a synonym, focusing on the act of encountering problems.

struggle with challenges

Highlights the effort and difficulty involved in overcoming challenges.

confront obstacles

Uses a stronger verb, "confront", emphasizing the active dealing with obstacles.

contend with setbacks

Emphasizes dealing with temporary failures or reverses.

grapple with issues

Emphasizes the struggle and effort involved in dealing with complex problems.

meet with adversity

Focuses on encountering unfavorable circumstances or misfortunes.

run into snags

Offers a more informal way of saying "encounter problems", using the word "snags".

navigate complexities

Shifts the focus to managing intricate or complicated situations.

be up against it

An idiomatic expression indicating being in a difficult situation.

FAQs

What does it mean to "face difficulties"?

To "face difficulties" means to encounter and have to deal with problems or challenges. It implies that someone or something is in a situation where progress is impeded by obstacles.

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

You can use "face difficulties" to describe a situation where someone or something is experiencing problems. For instance, "The company "encountered difficulties" during the economic recession".

What are some alternatives to "face difficulties"?

Some alternatives to "face difficulties" include "encounter challenges", "experience problems", or "struggle with challenges". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it better to say "face difficulties" or "have difficulties"?

Both "face difficulties" and "have difficulties" are grammatically correct and widely used. "Face difficulties" often implies a more active confrontation with the problems, while "have difficulties" is a more general statement of experiencing problems.