find difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

"find difficulty" is an acceptable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is challenging or hard to do. For example: "The math problem was so complicated I found difficulty finding the solution."

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Same as Dar, I also find difficulty finding this book…I already checked the Berkeley Library, even some public library few days a go when I was traveling to my relatives in Denver.

University of California, Berkeley

How might celebrities find difficulty in differentiating between their private and public lives?

The New York Times

In September 1993, Murdoch wrote in her diary: "Find difficulty in thinking and writing".

The New York Times - Arts

Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (or Dyspraxia) may find difficulty learning motor activities.

Princeton University

My father, Wang Bingzhang, is among those who would find difficulty feeling optimistic about these new changes.

The Guardian - Opinion

As a result they can find difficulty expressing the value of the work that they carry out.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

However, according to Radio 4 sources, he has found difficulty finding a suitable replacement.

The Guardian

"Banks that expand aggressively may find difficulties," he says.

The Economist

I have prepared him to find difficulties in the present political situation of New York.

The New Yorker

Only someone perversely determined to find difficulties could put any other interpretation on [Thursday's] statement from the Provos.

The Guardian

Nevertheless, traditional data mining techniques find difficulties in their application on current scenarios, due to the complexity previously mentioned.

Future Generation Computer Systems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "find difficulty", ensure the sentence structure clearly indicates what is causing the difficulty. Clarity is key.

Common error

While acceptable, "find difficulty" can sometimes sound less sophisticated in formal writing. Consider stronger verbs or more descriptive phrases to convey the same meaning with greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "find difficulty" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of encountering or experiencing challenges or obstacles. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. It generally precedes a gerund or infinitive, specifying the activity in which the difficulty is found.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

29%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "find difficulty" is a common way to express that someone or something is experiencing challenges or problems. As Ludwig AI explains, its use is generally acceptable across various contexts, though "have difficulty" may be more prevalent in everyday speech. While it appears frequently in news and scientific sources, consider more descriptive or sophisticated vocabulary for highly formal writing. Related phrases like "encounter challenges", ""struggle with"", and "have a hard time" can offer alternative ways to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experience difficulty

Emphasizes the occurrence of the problem.

have trouble

A more direct and less formal way of expressing difficulty.

have a hard time

An informal way to describe experiencing problems.

struggle with

Focuses on the ongoing effort and lack of ease.

encounter challenges

Uses stronger nouns to highlight significant obstacles.

grapple with

Implies a more intense and sustained effort to overcome difficulty.

face obstacles

Highlights external impediments.

contend with issues

Suggests dealing with specific problems or points of contention.

meet with setbacks

Indicates encountering delays or reversals.

labor under

Suggests being burdened by a particular difficulty or constraint.

FAQs

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

Use "find difficulty" to express that someone or something is experiencing a challenge or problem doing something. For example, "Students may "struggle with" complex concepts".

What are some alternatives to saying "find difficulty"?

You can use phrases like "encounter challenges", "have a hard time", or "experience difficulty" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "find difficulty" or "have difficulty"?

"Have difficulty" is often more common and natural-sounding. "Find difficulty" is acceptable but might be perceived as slightly less common in everyday speech.

What's the difference between "find difficulty" and "experience difficulty"?

The phrases are very similar in meaning. "Experience difficulty" might emphasize the act of encountering a problem, while "find difficulty" focuses on the state of being in a difficult situation.