has difficulty with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has difficulty with" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone's struggle or challenge with a particular task or concept. Example: "Maria has difficulty with public speaking, so she always gets nervous before giving a presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

He has difficulty with math and science.

The Washington Post

Their algorithm also has difficulty with proper names.

University of California, Berkeley

He has difficulty with his breathing, his swallowing, his jaw.

The New Yorker

"Ryan has difficulty with expressive language," said his mother, Janet Cuccia.

The New York Times

Although he walks with a stick and has difficulty with stairs, his creative productivity remains astonishing.

The Guardian

He was unconscious for two days and still has difficulty with some of his thought processes.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

"Japan has difficulties with older patients," says Dr. Manton bluntly.

Forbes

Historically, design has had difficulty with diversity.

The New York Times - Arts

And he really had difficulty with this.

Cornell University

They also have difficulty with Greek statues".

The Guardian

I'm having difficulty with the question.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has difficulty with", be specific about the area of difficulty. Instead of saying "He has difficulty with tasks", specify "He has difficulty with prioritizing tasks."

Common error

Avoid using "has difficulty with" without providing context. Without context, the statement lacks clarity and impact. Instead of saying "She has difficulty with communication", specify "She has difficulty with communicating complex ideas concisely."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has difficulty with" functions as a predicate phrase, indicating a subject's challenge or struggle in a specific area. It describes a lack of ease or proficiency. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

35%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has difficulty with" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase for expressing challenges or struggles. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It's versatile enough for various contexts, from formal reports to casual conversations. When using it, be specific about the area of difficulty to maximize clarity. While alternatives like "struggles with" or "finds challenging" exist, "has difficulty with" remains a clear and effective choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

struggles with

Focuses more on the active struggle or effort involved.

finds challenging

Emphasizes the level of challenge experienced.

has a hard time with

More informal and emphasizes the unpleasantness of the difficulty.

experiences difficulty in

More formal and highlights the experience of facing difficulty.

is challenged by

Highlights the challenging aspect and can imply a learning opportunity.

contends with

Suggests a more persistent and ongoing struggle.

grapples with

Implies a more intense and intellectual struggle.

faces obstacles in

Focuses on the obstacles preventing easy progress.

is not proficient in

Highlights a lack of skill or expertise.

lacks aptitude for

Emphasizes an inherent lack of natural ability.

FAQs

How can I use "has difficulty with" in a sentence?

Use "has difficulty with" to indicate a challenge or struggle. For example, "The student "has difficulty with" abstract concepts".

What are some alternatives to "has difficulty with"?

You can use alternatives such as "struggles with", "finds challenging", or "has a hard time with" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "has difficulty with" or "struggles with"?

Both ""has difficulty with"" and "struggles with" are correct, but "struggles with" might imply a more active and ongoing effort to overcome the difficulty.

What's the difference between "has difficulty with" and "has a problem with"?

"Has difficulty with" typically refers to a specific challenge or area of weakness, while "has a problem with" can refer to a wider range of issues, not necessarily related to skill or ability.