has had difficulty with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has had difficulty with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone’s ongoing challenges or struggles with a particular task, subject, or situation. Example: "She has had difficulty with understanding the complex mathematical concepts presented in class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Historically, design has had difficulty with diversity.

The New York Times - Arts

Trammell, however, has had difficulty with his current role.

The New York Times - Sports

In previous seasons he has had difficulty with throwing out runners.

The New York Times - Sports

In particular, he has had difficulty with his lateral movement at the position.

The New York Times - Sports

Circuit City has had difficulty with a store renovation program it began after it stopped selling appliances last year.

The New York Times

Another contestant is Sam Evans, who was born with severe hearing loss and as a result has had difficulty with speaking clearly.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

R&R has had difficulties with its letters.

The New York Times

Today was not the first time Mr. McCain has had difficulties with the abortion issue.

The New York Times

In recent months, though, Villaraigosa has had difficulties with the City Council, other political leaders, and the business community, and has come to appear less invincible.

The New Yorker

Although rumors have circulated that LVMH has had difficulties with the designer's sometimes erratic behavior, Mr. Arnault praised the outgoing designer, saying, "I am very eager to congratulate him and his team for everything they have done for Louis Vuitton".

The New York Times

"She would have had difficulty with her perception, with her judgment, with her memory," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "has had difficulty with" to clearly and directly communicate that someone or something is experiencing ongoing challenges or struggles.

Common error

While "has had difficulty with" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your text sound repetitive. Use synonyms like "struggled with" or "faced challenges in" to maintain variety and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has had difficulty with" functions as a verbal phrase used to describe someone's experience of facing challenges or obstacles in a specific area. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is a correct and usable expression in written English. Examples in Ludwig show its use across various contexts, highlighting its versatility in conveying challenges faced by individuals or entities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

24%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has had difficulty with" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe past or ongoing challenges. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It's categorized as an adjective phrase with a noun and preposition, and while versatile, it's more common in news, science, and wiki contexts. When aiming for variety or formality, consider alternatives like "struggled with" or "faced challenges with." The key is to accurately reflect the timeline and nature of the challenges.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

struggled with

Indicates a sustained effort to overcome a challenge, implying difficulty.

faced challenges with

Highlights the presence of obstacles and the act of confronting them.

encountered problems with

Emphasizes the occurrence of specific issues or complications.

had trouble with

A more informal way of expressing difficulty, suggesting a lack of ease.

found it challenging to

Focuses on the subjective experience of difficulty in performing a task.

experienced difficulty in

Highlights the experience of facing obstacles or complications.

had a hard time with

Informal expression indicating a period of struggle or adversity.

was not easy to

Emphasizes the lack of ease or simplicity in a particular situation.

grappled with

Suggests a more intense and prolonged struggle with a complex issue.

labored with

Indicates a strenuous and prolonged effort in dealing with something difficult.

FAQs

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

The phrase "has had difficulty with" is used to indicate that someone or something has experienced problems or challenges in a particular area. For example, "The student "has had difficulty with" math concepts".

What are some alternatives to "has had difficulty with"?

Alternatives include "struggled with", "faced challenges with", or "encountered problems with" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "has difficulty with" or "has had difficulty with"?

"Has difficulty with" implies a current or general problem, while "has had difficulty with" suggests past or ongoing issues. Choose the phrase that best reflects the specific timeline and nature of the difficulty.

What's the difference between "has had difficulty with" and "is struggling with"?

"Has had difficulty with" indicates a history of challenges, while "is struggling with" describes a present, ongoing struggle. The first is more retrospective, the second is happening now.