greater difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

"greater difficulty" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe an increased level of difficulty in a task or situation, for example: Tom faced greater difficulty preparing for his final exams than he had anticipated.

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It also heals with greater difficulty.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Sleep," writes Dr. Trever, "came with greater difficulty.

The New Yorker

In 2011 I began having greater difficulty peeing.

The New York Times

If they answer the first question correctly, the computer serves them another question of greater difficulty.

The New York Times

The industry would be in far greater difficulty if they were visibly unhappy".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Such students often have greater difficulty adapting to the practices required to excel at A-level.

The Guardian - Opinion

Because residents get menial salaries, longer residencies like general surgery mean greater difficulty repaying student loans.

The New York Times

Facing higher costs, those companies are also having greater difficulty locating new oil deposits.

The New York Times

Some also have greater difficulty walking or talking, or with aggression.

The New York Times

Greater difficulty managing the so-called activities of daily living, like dressing, bathing and cooking.

The New York Times

People who move from county to county — like college students — would also face greater difficulty voting.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "increased challenge" or "heightened adversity" for stylistic variation, especially in longer texts.

Common error

Avoid using "greater difficulty" without specifying the area or task affected. For example, instead of saying "They faced greater difficulty", specify "They faced greater difficulty securing funding."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "greater difficulty" typically functions as a noun phrase acting as the object of a verb or following a preposition. It signifies an increased level of challenge or impediment. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

31%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "greater difficulty" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote an increased level of challenge or adversity. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and its frequency across diverse sources underscores its widespread applicability. Usage patterns show it is most common in news media and scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When employing "greater difficulty", clarity is key; specify what exactly is causing the increased challenge to enhance comprehensibility. Consider alternatives like "increased challenge" or "heightened adversity" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increased challenge

Emphasizes the aspect of a challenge being amplified or made more significant.

heightened adversity

Focuses on the increased presence of hardship or unfavorable conditions.

more significant impediment

Highlights the aspect of a barrier becoming more substantial.

larger obstacle

Stresses the size or magnitude of the hindrance.

tougher time

Indicates a period of increased hardship or struggle.

harder struggle

Emphasizes the effort and resistance involved in overcoming the difficulty.

more pronounced struggle

Indicates that the struggle is more noticeable or intense.

aggravated complexity

Focuses on the idea that something is more complex and has become worse.

intensified challenge

Emphasizes the challenge is present with more strength or greater degree.

exacerbated problem

Highlights the worsening of an existing problem.

FAQs

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

You can use "greater difficulty" to describe an increased level of challenge or adversity in a task or situation. For example, "Students may face "greater difficulty" adapting to a new curriculum".

What are some alternatives to "greater difficulty"?

Some alternatives to "greater difficulty" include "increased challenge", "heightened adversity", or "more significant impediment", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "more difficulty" instead of "greater difficulty"?

While "more difficulty" is understandable, "greater difficulty" is generally preferred in formal writing as it aligns better with standard English usage and sounds more natural.

What's the difference between "difficulty" and "hardship"?

"Difficulty" refers to the state or condition of being hard to do or understand, while "hardship" implies suffering or privation. You might face "greater difficulty" completing a task, which could then lead to "greater hardship" if the task is essential for survival or well-being.