faced difficulties

USAGE SUMMARY

'faced difficulties' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe someone confronting an issue, problem, or challenge. For example: The project team faced many difficulties in their attempt to complete the project on time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But Alexander also faced difficulties.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Our investigation faced difficulties from the beginning.

The New York Times

But the family faced difficulties too.

The Guardian - Books

But she soon faced difficulties fitting in.

The New York Times

In Saturday's operation, the SEALs faced difficulties from the start.

The Washington Post

The command has faced difficulties in its first few years.

The New York Times

In recent decades, however, the playhouse has faced difficulties.

The New York Times

Both countries faced difficulties because their zombie banks proved incapable of lending to the private sector.

The Guardian - Business

He added, though, that some sectors faced difficulties, particularly energy and oil services.

The New York Times

While Huawei has faced difficulties in some European markets, like France, it has done better elsewhere.

The New York Times - Tech

At one point the company said it faced difficulties because of Hurricane Irma.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "faced difficulties", ensure the context clearly specifies what type of challenges were encountered. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that someone "faced difficulties" without elaborating on the nature of those difficulties. Vague statements weaken your message. Instead, specify the challenges, such as "faced difficulties in securing funding" or "faced difficulties due to technical limitations".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "faced difficulties" functions as a verbal phrase within a sentence, typically serving as the predicate. It describes the action of experiencing problems or challenges. Ludwig examples show its use across diverse subjects and contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

18%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "faced difficulties" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the experience of encountering challenges or problems. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for written English. Analysis of Ludwig examples reveals its prevalence in News & Media, Science, and encyclopedic contexts. While direct and informative, it's important to specify the nature of the difficulties to provide context and avoid vagueness. Alternatives like ""encountered challenges"" or ""ran into problems"" offer subtle variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encountered challenges

Replaces "faced difficulties" with a more formal tone.

ran into problems

Offers a more informal and direct way of expressing "faced difficulties".

experienced setbacks

Emphasizes the negative impact of the difficulties.

met with obstacles

Highlights the presence of impediments or barriers.

contended with issues

Implies a struggle or effort to overcome the difficulties.

grappled with challenges

Suggests a more intense and prolonged struggle with the difficulties.

struggled against adversity

Emphasizes the opposition and hardship faced.

navigated complexities

Focuses on the intricate and complicated nature of the difficulties.

overcame hurdles

Highlights the act of successfully passing the difficulties.

endured hardships

Emphasizes the suffering and perseverance through the difficulties.

FAQs

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

You can use "faced difficulties" to describe situations where someone encountered challenges. For example, "The project team faced difficulties during the implementation phase."

What are some alternatives to "faced difficulties"?

Alternatives include "encountered challenges", "ran into problems", or "experienced setbacks", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "faced with difficulties" instead of "faced difficulties"?

While both are grammatically correct, "faced difficulties" is more concise and commonly used. "Faced with difficulties" can be used, but it might sound slightly more formal or emphasize the confrontation with the challenges.

What's the difference between "faced difficulties" and "overcame difficulties"?

"Faced difficulties" simply means encountering challenges, while "overcame difficulties" implies successfully resolving those challenges. The latter suggests a positive outcome after the struggle.