greatest difficulties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "greatest difficulties" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the most significant challenges or obstacles one faces in a particular situation. Example: "Despite facing the greatest difficulties during the project, the team managed to deliver exceptional results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A: One of the greatest difficulties is seeing minors imprisoned.

The Washington Post

Yet the banks may present the greatest difficulties.

The Economist

The evacuations pose the greatest difficulties, he said.

The New York Times

Of late it is the Romanians who have posed the greatest difficulties for the Polish Government.

The New York Times

And often, the greatest difficulties are in getting people to consistently work together.

Harvard Business Review

The issue that created the greatest difficulties, however, was one of the oldest: Ireland.

Britannica

One area in which Isis seem to be having the greatest difficulties is in health.

The Guardian

But the greatest difficulties lie in the different cultures and values of health and social care.

The Guardian

One of the greatest difficulties in maths education is knowing at what level to teach.

The Guardian

The greatest difficulties during petrolatum deoiling are related to the filtration stage for obtaining microcrystalline wax.

Egyptian Journal of Petroleum

Corpses present some of the greatest difficulties, both medical and psychological.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "greatest difficulties", ensure it is followed by a clear explanation of what those difficulties are and why they are significant to provide context for your reader.

Common error

Avoid using "greatest difficulties" as a vague statement. Instead, specify the exact nature of the challenges to provide clarity and impact, such as "The greatest difficulties in this project stemmed from budget constraints and communication breakdowns."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "greatest difficulties" functions as a noun phrase typically used as an object or complement within a sentence. It identifies the most significant challenges or problems encountered in a particular context. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

29%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "greatest difficulties" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote significant challenges or problems. According to Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English. Analysis of various sources shows its prevalence in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts, maintaining a neutral tone. When using this phrase, ensure you provide specific context to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "major obstacles" or "biggest challenges" can be used depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

major obstacles

Replaces "difficulties" with "obstacles", emphasizing impediments.

biggest challenges

Substitutes "difficulties" with "challenges", highlighting the demanding nature of the situation.

most significant problems

Replaces "difficulties" with "problems", focusing on the problematic aspects.

primary hurdles

Uses "hurdles" instead of "difficulties", suggesting obstacles that need to be overcome.

main struggles

Replaces "difficulties" with "struggles", emphasizing the effort required.

key challenges

Uses "challenges" instead of "difficulties", highlighting demanding situations.

principal setbacks

Replaces "difficulties" with "setbacks", focusing on hindrances to progress.

most considerable impediments

Substitutes "difficulties" with "impediments", suggesting obstructions.

major points of contention

Focuses on disagreement and conflict as the main challenge.

severe hardships

Emphasizes the severity and impact of the difficulties.

FAQs

How can I use "greatest difficulties" in a sentence?

Use "greatest difficulties" to highlight significant challenges or obstacles. For example, "The project's "greatest difficulties" arose from unexpected technical issues".

What are some alternatives to "greatest difficulties"?

Alternatives include "major obstacles", "biggest challenges", or "most significant problems" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "biggest difficulty" instead of "greatest difficulties"?

Yes, "biggest difficulty" is grammatically correct, especially when referring to a single, predominant challenge. However, "greatest difficulties" implies multiple or more impactful challenges.

What is the difference between "greatest difficulties" and "minor inconveniences"?

"Greatest difficulties" refers to significant and impactful challenges, while "minor inconveniences" describes slight and easily manageable issues. The former has substantial consequences, while the latter does not.