go through the trouble of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "go through the trouble of" is perfectly acceptable in written English.
It is mainly used when describing an effort that someone has taken to do something. For example: "I went through the trouble of finding the perfect gift for my friend's birthday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some people don't want to go through the trouble of having a house built.

The New York Times

Heck, a guy wouldn't even have to go through the trouble of taking a shower before seeing a virtual prostitute".

Independent

First of all, why go through the trouble of making something up when the subject is already so outlandish?

The New Yorker

"Troopers may tell you, 'I'm not going to go through the trouble of calling a sergeant out,' " he said.

The New York Times

When it is used, there are often flaws in implementation that lets government agents bypass encryption without having to go through the trouble of actually deciphering it.

Stanford University

But why go through the trouble of making light and creating better eyes for detecting it when most starfish navigate using their sense of smell?

The New York Times - Science

Meanwhile, businesses in the rest of the world still manage to export, even though they must go through the trouble of exchanging currencies.

The Washington Post

If I'm going to go through the trouble of downloading an app and putting on a VR headset, I want to see something special.

MIT Technology Review

One drawback: the site only shows prices in Saudi riyals, and makes you go through the trouble of relying on a currency converter.

The New York Times - Travel

"We decided that rather than go through the trouble of doing the motion we would agree to a plea," the prosecutor, Michael Banks, said.

The New York Times

The alternative is to go through the trouble of foreclosing on it, listing it for sale and then selling it for that same fair market value to someone else.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "go through the trouble of" to clearly convey that an action requires significant effort and might be seen as unnecessary or avoidable.

Common error

Be mindful of redundant phrasing. Avoid using "go through the trouble of" when a simpler verb like "bother" or "try" conveys the same meaning more concisely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go through the trouble of" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of taking the necessary steps or effort to accomplish something, often implying inconvenience. As supported by Ludwig, it describes a deliberate undertaking despite potential difficulties.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Wiki

12%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "go through the trouble of" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the act of putting in effort to do something, especially when it might be considered inconvenient or avoidable. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "bother to" or "make an effort to" exist, "go through the trouble of" effectively conveys the notion of extra effort or potential inconvenience. Be mindful of avoiding redundancy and choose the most concise phrasing when possible. The phrase maintains a generally neutral tone, making it suitable for a wide range of writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go through the inconvenience of

This alternative replaces "trouble" with "inconvenience", emphasizing the bothersome nature of the task.

go to the bother of

Using "bother" instead of "trouble" highlights the annoyance or nuisance associated with the action.

make an effort to

Highlights the conscious decision to put in work.

take the time to

Focuses on the time investment required, rather than the difficulty.

exert oneself to

Emphasizes the effort and energy expended.

put oneself out to

Highlights the inconvenience to oneself.

undertake the task of

Replaces "go through the trouble" with a more formal phrasing.

incur the difficulty of

Focuses on experiencing or facing the difficulty.

shoulder the burden of

Suggests a weight or responsibility being taken on.

worry oneself about

Shifts the focus to the mental concern involved.

FAQs

What does "go through the trouble of" mean?

It means to take the effort or make the necessary arrangements to do something, often implying that the action is somewhat inconvenient or requires extra work. For example, "Why "go through the trouble of" cooking when you can order takeout?"

How can I rephrase "go through the trouble of" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "undertake the task of" or "exert oneself to". These options add a layer of sophistication to your writing.

Is it always negative to "go through the trouble of" something?

Not always. While it often implies inconvenience, it can also highlight dedication or commitment. For instance, "She "went through the trouble of" baking a cake from scratch to ensure it was perfect" shows her dedication.

What are some less formal alternatives to "go through the trouble of"?

Less formal options include "bother to", "make an effort to", or simply "try to". These alternatives are suitable for casual conversations and less formal writing.