has been difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been difficulty" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an attempt to express a past or ongoing challenge, but it lacks proper grammatical structure. Example: "There has been difficulty in meeting the project deadlines due to unforeseen circumstances."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

There also has been difficulty in reaching and implementing decisions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Further complicating matters, the authorities said, has been difficulty of interviewing Abigail.

The New York Times

There has been difficulty establishing routes, and many smaller cities are much busier airports.

The New Yorker

"This is a historical root that has been difficulty to shake".

The New York Times

Look for records where there has been no contact with the tenant for a while, or there has been difficulty gaining access to the property.

The Guardian

"In the instance of AirAsia there is no shortage of manpower, but there has been difficulty associated with the recovery of bodies in stormy conditions at sea.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

The consequence has been difficulties in recruiting and retaining social workers and paediatricians, leaving children less well protected.

The Guardian

There have been difficulties.

The New York Times

There had been difficulties, to be sure.

The New Yorker

Elsewhere, too, there have been difficulties.

The Economist

Although Brooks has improved Pittsburgh's record, there have been difficulties.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always ensure that the word "difficulty" is preceded by an article ("a", "the") or a quantifier ("some", "much") when used as a noun. Alternatively, rephrase the sentence to use "difficult" as an adjective, for example "it has been difficult".

Common error

Avoid using "has been difficulty" directly. This phrase lacks the necessary article or quantifier before "difficulty". Instead, use "there has been a difficulty", "there has been some difficulty", or rephrase as "it has been difficult".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been difficulty" is grammatically incorrect and doesn't fulfill a clear grammatical function in standard English. It appears to be an incomplete construction aiming to express the existence of a problem or challenge, as Ludwig AI points out.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been difficulty" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase lacks the necessary grammatical structure and does not effectively convey the intended meaning. To express the existence of a problem or challenge, use grammatically correct alternatives such as "there has been a difficulty", "there has been some difficulty", or "it has been difficult". These alternatives ensure clarity and adhere to standard English grammar conventions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there has been a difficulty

Adds the article 'a' for grammatical correctness, indicating a single instance of difficulty.

there has been some difficulty

Uses 'some' to indicate an unspecified amount of difficulty, improving naturalness.

it has been difficult

Rephrases to focus on the adjective 'difficult' describing a situation, rather than the noun 'difficulty'.

there have been difficulties

Changes to plural 'difficulties' to indicate multiple instances, requiring the plural verb 'have'.

it has posed a challenge

Replaces "difficulty" with "challenge", offering a more formal and potentially positive framing.

it has presented an obstacle

Similar to 'challenge', but suggests something blocking progress rather than just being hard.

there has been a problem

Uses the more general term "problem" instead of "difficulty".

challenges have emerged

Focuses on the emergence of challenges, suitable when describing a process or situation.

issues have arisen

Uses 'issues' to refer to potential problems, maintaining a neutral tone.

progress has been hindered

Emphasizes the impact of difficulty on progress, suitable for situations where advancement is stalled.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "difficulty" in a sentence?

The word "difficulty" typically needs an article or quantifier before it. For example, "there has been "a difficulty"" or "there has been "some difficulty"". Alternatively, rephrase using "difficult" as an adjective.

What can I say instead of "has been difficulty"?

Instead of "has been difficulty", you can say "there has been "a difficulty"", "there has been "some difficulty"", or "it has been "difficult"".

Is it grammatically correct to say "has been difficulty"?

No, "has been difficulty" is grammatically incorrect. The noun "difficulty" needs an article (a, the) or a quantifier (some, much) before it, or the sentence should be rephrased.

What is the difference between "has been difficulty" and "there has been a difficulty"?

"Has been difficulty" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. "There has been "a difficulty"" is the correct way to express that a problem or challenge has arisen.