have difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'have difficulty' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an instance of struggle or challenge with something. Example sentence: Many students have difficulty understanding complex mathematics concepts.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have difficulty staying asleep.

The New York Times - Travel

They have difficulty integrating.

The Guardian

"I have difficulty lifting it," he said.

The New Yorker

You may also have difficulty recognizing faces.

The New York Times

Did you have difficulty raising capital?

The New York Times

Many insurers would have difficulty changing course.

The New York Times - Health

"I have difficulty in excelling".

The Guardian - Film

I have difficulty in understanding this concept.

Harvard University

Some students have difficulty responding to change.

Yale University

Many would have difficulty doing that.

The New York Times

Even cultural natives have difficulty defining them.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have difficulty", ensure the context clearly specifies the area or task where the difficulty arises to avoid ambiguity. For instance, say "have difficulty understanding the instructions" instead of just "have difficulty."

Common error

Avoid using "of" after "difficulty" when specifying the action causing the problem. The correct structure is "have difficulty doing something", not "have difficulty of doing something".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have difficulty" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating a struggle or challenge in performing an action or understanding something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides numerous examples across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

21%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have difficulty" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe struggles or challenges. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly used in various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. When using "have difficulty", ensure clarity by specifying the action causing the problem and avoiding common errors like using incorrect prepositions. Consider alternatives such as "struggle with" or "find it hard to" for nuanced expression. With its neutral register, "have difficulty" remains a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

struggle with

Focuses more on the act of contending with a problem.

find it hard to

Emphasizes the perceived effort required.

have a hard time with

Suggests a period of unpleasantness related to the task.

find it challenging to

Directly points to the demanding nature of the task.

encounter challenges in

Highlights the obstacles faced during a process.

experience trouble with

Indicates problems arising during an activity.

face obstacles in

Highlights obstructions rather than the effort required to overcome them.

grapple with

Implies a more intense struggle or confrontation with the problem.

contend with

Presents a sense of actively fighting against difficulties.

be hard-pressed to

Suggests a situation where success is unlikely without significant effort.

FAQs

How can I use "have difficulty" in a sentence?

You can use "have difficulty" to describe a struggle or challenge with something. For example: "Students "have difficulty understanding" complex mathematics concepts."

What can I say instead of "have difficulty"?

You can use alternatives like "struggle with", "find it hard to", or "encounter challenges in" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "have difficulty doing" or "have difficulty to do"?

"Have difficulty doing" is the correct form. The gerund (doing) should follow "have difficulty" to properly express the action being struggled with. For example, "I "have difficulty sleeping"" is correct.

What's the difference between "have difficulty" and "find it hard to"?

While similar, "have difficulty" is slightly more formal than "find it hard to". Both express a challenge, but "have difficulty" is often preferred in academic or professional settings.