face difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

"face difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to discuss a challenging situation or to indicate that someone is having difficulty dealing with something. For example: "He is facing difficulty deciding what to do about the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The proposals may face difficulty gaining traction.

The New York Times

Analysts have suggested that the agreement as it stands also might face difficulty in the Netherlands.

The New York Times

As a result, he said, the new court program could face difficulty.

The New York Times

And there is the possibility that other debt-laden governments in Europe and elsewhere may also face difficulty paying their bills.

The New York Times

The move is likely to be welcomed by smaller companies, where employees often face difficulty getting good, low-cost retirement plan options.

The New York Times

They had intended to head north by bus or train and were surprised to hear they may now face difficulty in crossing the border.

The Guardian

Not surprisingly, real estate agents say that couples like the Vargheses could face difficulty in trying to sell without help, especially in a weak market.

The New York Times

There is still strong resistance against joining the convention, and supporters are likely to face difficulty pushing the bill through a divided Parliament.

The New York Times

But the party could face difficulty in actually changing the debate process, especially once specific candidates are pursuing the party's nomination.

The New York Times

Trump seems well positioned in north-eastern states to vote soon – but could face difficulty in the Rockies and out west.

The Guardian

The higher bid still may face difficulty since some Canadian fund managers have said recently that they are looking for a price near 50 Canadian dollars a share.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs like "struggle", "contend", or "grapple" if you want to emphasize the effort involved in overcoming the challenge.

Common error

While "face difficulty" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound monotonous. Vary your language by using synonyms like "encounter challenges", "struggle with", or "have a hard time" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "face difficulty" functions as a verb phrase, where "face" is the verb and "difficulty" is the noun acting as the object. According to Ludwig AI, it correctly describes confronting challenging situations or problems, and the provided examples showcase this function in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "face difficulty" is a grammatically sound and common way to express that someone or something is likely to encounter problems or obstacles. According to Ludwig AI, it is considered correct and usable in written English. It maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and business. While effective, avoid overuse by incorporating synonyms such as "encounter challenges" or "struggle with". While frequent in News & Media and Science, it is less used in Encyclopedias and Wikis. Always be specific about the nature of the difficulty for enhanced clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Encounter challenges

Focuses on the aspect of meeting and dealing with challenges, highlighting a proactive approach.

Struggle with

Implies a sustained effort to overcome the difficulty.

Meet with obstacles

Focuses on the impediments that hinder progress.

Experience hardship

Emphasizes the severity and negative impact of the difficulty.

Run into problems

Indicates unexpected difficulties that arise during a process.

Contend with

Suggests active opposition or conflict with the difficulty.

Grapple with

Highlights a more intense and personal struggle.

Be up against it

An idiomatic expression suggesting a challenging situation with unfavorable conditions.

Have a hard time

More informal way of expressing difficulty.

Undergo tribulation

Highlights a period of suffering or testing.

FAQs

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

You can use "face difficulty" to describe a challenging situation. For example, "The project may "face difficulty" gaining traction" or "Many startups "face difficulty" in finding talent".

What are some alternatives to "face difficulty"?

You can use alternatives such as "encounter challenges", "struggle with", or "have a hard time" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "face difficulty" or "experience difficulty"?

Both ""face difficulty"" and "experience difficulty" are correct. However, "face difficulty" often implies a more active confrontation with the challenge, while "experience difficulty" suggests a more passive undergoing of hardship.

What's the difference between "face difficulty" and "face challenges"?

"Face difficulty" generally refers to a specific problem or impediment. "Face challenges" can refer to a broader range of obstacles or demanding situations.