few difficulties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "few difficulties" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that there are not many challenges or obstacles in a particular situation. Example: "Despite the tight deadline, we encountered few difficulties in completing the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Still, a few difficulties remained.

The New Yorker

Darwin's sweeping approach does raise a few difficulties.

The Guardian - Books

We were able to overcome these few difficulties and finished the project.

Cornell University

After the transplant, his life dramatically improved, but not before a few difficulties were overcome.

The Guardian

As an openly and unapologetically gay man, this presented Coles with a few difficulties.

Independent

"Because, you know, they had a few difficulties especially at the beginning with money.

The New York Times

Somehow the Frenchman held on and from then on, the two men continued to hold serve with few difficulties.

The Guardian - Sport

Its batsmen have struggled desperately against Jimmy Anderson when conditions favor swing but otherwise have experienced few difficulties.

The New York Times - Sports

Mrs Merkel acknowledged the UK had "a few difficulties here and there with certain legal provisions of the EU".

Independent

With her female colleagues she appears to have had few difficulties, even those whom managers and conductors attempted to cast in "her" roles.

Yale University

The ex-Goldman Sachs banker told the Treasury select committee the speech-giving game caused him a few difficulties related to "nuance" and "market sensitivity".

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "few difficulties" to convey that a process or project proceeded smoothly, despite some minor issues. It's stronger than saying 'no difficulties' because it acknowledges some challenges were present.

Common error

Avoid using "few difficulties" when there were genuinely none. If everything went perfectly, stating "no difficulties" is more accurate. "Few difficulties" implies at least some level of challenge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "few difficulties" functions as a qualifier, indicating a limited number of problems or obstacles encountered in a particular situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

33%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "few difficulties" is a versatile phrase used to describe situations where challenges were minimal. As indicated by Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct, and it enjoys frequent usage across diverse fields, predominantly in news, science, and academic contexts. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the presence of minor problems rather than a complete absence of them. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "minimal challenges". Overall, "few difficulties" provides a concise way to convey relative smoothness and ease in various circumstances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimal difficulties

Emphasizes the slight nature of the challenges encountered.

few problems

A more general term, referring to troubles or concerns that arise.

minor setbacks

Highlights the temporary nature of any obstacles encountered.

limited challenges

Focuses on the restricted scope and impact of the difficulties.

slight complications

Indicates the presence of issues that are not expected to cause major disruptions.

a couple of challenges

Suggests there were only one or two notable obstacles.

some minor issues

Refers to less severe or important problems.

isolated incidents

Focuses on the fact that the difficulties are not systemic.

a handful of snags

Describes the difficulties as small and easily resolved.

occasional hiccups

Suggests that the difficulties are irregular and brief.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "few difficulties" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "minimal challenges", "limited obstacles", or "minor complications".

What's the difference between "few difficulties" and "a few difficulties"?

"Few difficulties" suggests a smaller number and less impact than "a few difficulties". "Few" implies that the problems were minimal, while "a few" simply means there were some problems.

Can I use "few difficulties" when describing a personal struggle?

While grammatically correct, "few difficulties" might sound understated in a personal context. Consider phrases like "minor setbacks" or "some challenges" to better convey the experience.

Is it better to say "few difficulties" or "not many difficulties"?

"Few difficulties" is generally more concise and direct. "Not many difficulties" is also correct but can sometimes sound less polished.