great difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

"great difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a situation that is very hard to overcome. For example, "He encountered great difficulty when trying to find a job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

With great difficulty.

The New York Times

With great difficulty, at first.

The Economist

Not without great difficulty.

The New York Times - Books

With great difficulty, which is the problem.

Independent

People also have great difficulty understanding risks.

The Economist

"I do my job with great difficulty.

Independent

People work it out with great difficulty.

The Guardian

"I have great difficulty putting sentences together," she said.

The New Yorker

He was persuaded to reassume office only with great difficulty.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Great difficulty was experienced in crafting this multinational state.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"We are arranging her treatment with great difficulty," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "great difficulty", ensure the context clearly illustrates the specific challenges or obstacles involved. Provide concrete examples to highlight the extent of the difficulty.

Common error

Avoid using "great difficulty" when the situation involves only minor inconveniences. Reserve the phrase for genuinely challenging or problematic scenarios to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great difficulty" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object of a verb or preposition. It describes the degree or extent of the challenge or problem encountered. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "great difficulty" is a noun phrase used to describe significant challenges or obstacles. It is grammatically correct and very commonly used across various contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is particularly prevalent in News & Media and Science. When using the phrase, ensure that the context clearly illustrates the specific challenges involved and avoid overstating the difficulty. Consider alternatives like "considerable challenge" or "significant hardship" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable challenge

Replaces "difficulty" with "challenge", emphasizing the demanding nature of the situation.

significant hardship

Substitutes "difficulty" with "hardship", highlighting the burdensome aspect of the situation.

major obstacle

Replaces "difficulty" with "obstacle", focusing on the impediment aspect.

extreme adversity

Emphasizes the severity of the challenging circumstances.

substantial struggle

Highlights the effort and fight required to overcome the difficulty.

intense complexity

Focuses on the complicated nature causing the difficulty.

formidable impediment

Uses a more formal tone to describe a significant barrier.

severe complications

Highlights the presence of complex issues.

profound challenge

Indicates a deep and impactful difficulty.

onerous task

Emphasizes the burdensome and demanding nature of the difficulty as a task.

FAQs

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

You can use "great difficulty" to describe situations where significant challenges or obstacles are present. For example: "They completed the project with "great difficulty" due to unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to saying "great difficulty"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "considerable challenge", "significant hardship", or "major obstacle" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it more appropriate to use "great difficulty" or "considerable difficulty"?

"Great difficulty" and "considerable difficulty" are often interchangeable. However, "great difficulty" might suggest a slightly higher degree of challenge. The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

How does "great difficulty" differ from "slight difficulty"?

"Great difficulty" indicates a significant challenge, while "slight difficulty" implies a minor inconvenience. The choice depends on the actual level of challenge faced.