has difficulty concentrating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has difficulty concentrating" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone who struggles to focus or maintain attention on a task or activity. Example: "During the meeting, she has difficulty concentrating on the discussion due to the noise outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

He also has difficulty concentrating, he said.

The New York Times

He has difficulty concentrating or applying himself at work.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Anne: "She has difficulty concentrating, so doing homework is a difficulty".

The Guardian

He suffers from severe attacks of migraine with loss of memory, and has difficulty concentrating and sleeping.

The Guardian

There are, for example, times when an individual has difficulty concentrating attention on a task, a conversation, or a set of events.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Brian sometimes has difficulties concentrating due to his drug regime and can be confused and forgetful.

The Guardian

Depending on the concentration, subjects felt a drug effect and were anxious; had difficulty concentrating; felt high, light-headed, and tingling; and showed impairment on the DSST.

BMC Anesthesiology

He was often exhausted and had difficulty concentrating.

The New York Times - Sports

Becoming easily distracted or having difficulty concentrating while driving.

The New York Times

Visibly affected, Venus had difficulty concentrating on the next, unrelated question.

The New York Times - Sports

In the days following, I felt hung over and had difficulty concentrating.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's inability to concentrate, consider providing context or reasons for the difficulty, such as stress, fatigue, or a specific condition.

Common error

Avoid attributing the difficulty concentrating to laziness or lack of interest without proper understanding. It's often linked to underlying issues like stress, anxiety, or medical conditions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has difficulty concentrating" functions as a descriptor, indicating an inability or reduced capacity to focus attention on a specific task or thought. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

32%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has difficulty concentrating" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to describe someone's struggle with maintaining focus. Although Ludwig AI marks it as valid, it's relatively rare. It's frequently found in News & Media, Science and Wiki contexts and suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, provide additional context to enhance clarity and accuracy. Consider alternatives like "struggles to focus" or "finds it hard to concentrate" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

struggles to focus

Emphasizes the effort required to maintain focus.

finds it hard to concentrate

Highlights the perceived difficulty in concentrating.

has trouble focusing

Similar to struggling, but suggests an ongoing issue.

lacks concentration

Directly states the absence of concentration.

experiences difficulty focusing

More formal way of expressing the problem.

is easily distracted

Focuses on the cause of the lack of concentration.

attention span is limited

Describes the limited duration of attention.

cannot maintain focus

Highlights the inability to sustain concentration.

finds concentration challenging

Emphasizes the challenging nature of concentrating.

has a short attention span

Describes the limited duration of attention.

FAQs

What are some alternative ways to say "has difficulty concentrating"?

You can use alternatives like "struggles to focus", "finds it hard to concentrate", or "is easily distracted" depending on the specific context.

What could cause someone to "have difficulty concentrating"?

Difficulty concentrating can stem from various factors, including stress, sleep deprivation, anxiety, depression, ADHD, or even certain medical conditions. It's important to consider the individual's overall health and circumstances.

Is "has difficulty concentrating" a formal or informal phrase?

The phrase "has difficulty concentrating" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "experiences difficulty focusing" might be preferred in academic or professional settings.

How does "having difficulty concentrating" differ from "being easily distracted"?

While related, "having difficulty concentrating" refers to a general struggle to maintain focus, while "being easily distracted" suggests that external stimuli or internal thoughts readily interrupt one's focus. The former implies a more inherent challenge, while the latter highlights susceptibility to interruptions.