have difficulty with

USAGE SUMMARY

"have difficulty with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to express that you are struggling with something. For example: "I'm having difficulty with my math homework."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They also have difficulty with Greek statues".

The Guardian

It's something even Qaddafi's most steadfast loyalists have difficulty with.

The New York Times - Magazine

But he would have difficulty with cross-media ownership rules.

The Guardian - Business

People often have difficulty with medical innovation and technology.

The Guardian

"I guess I have difficulty with the question".

The New York Times

"They have difficulty with organizing and processing information," he said.

The New York Times - Health

Which do you still have difficulty with, and how might you go about bettering your understanding?

The New York Times

"I always have difficulty with the Greek tragic plays," Walcott says.

The Guardian - Books

Many stroke survivors have difficulty with communication, not just problems with speech.

The Guardian

"We humans are pretty good at gist recall but have difficulty with being exact," he said.

The New York Times - Science

… Now that Ukrainian is the official language, Russian-speaking officials sometimes have difficulty with it.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have difficulty with", ensure that the object of the preposition 'with' is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. For example, "I have difficulty with understanding the instructions" is clearer than "I have difficulty with this".

Common error

Avoid using "have difficulty with" without specifying the exact problem. Instead of saying "They have difficulty with the project", clarify what aspect of the project is challenging, such as "They have difficulty with the data analysis portion of the project".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have difficulty with" functions as a verb phrase indicating a struggle or problem in performing a task or understanding a concept. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Examples from Ludwig show its use across diverse subjects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have difficulty with" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to indicate a struggle or challenge. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's versatile and appropriate for many contexts. Usage patterns show it's commonly found in news, science, and general writing. When using this phrase, make sure to clearly specify the source of the difficulty to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "struggle with" or "have trouble with" for subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have trouble with

A more general way of saying something is problematic or challenging.

have a hard time with

An informal expression indicating a tough experience.

have a tough time with

Very similar to "have a hard time with", emphasizing the unpleasantness of the experience.

struggle with

Emphasizes the effort and resistance involved in dealing with something.

find it hard to

A simpler way of expressing that something is not easy.

find it challenging to

Highlights the challenging aspect of a task or situation.

experience difficulty in

Focuses on the personal experience of facing a challenge.

face difficulties in

Emphasizes the act of confronting hardships or adversities.

encounter problems with

Focuses on the occurrence of specific issues or obstacles.

are challenged by

Highlights that is the objective part that presents issues and struggle.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "have difficulty with"?

You can use alternatives like "struggle with", "have trouble with", or "find it challenging to" depending on the context.

How do I use "have difficulty with" in a sentence?

The phrase "have difficulty with" is typically followed by a noun or a gerund (verb ending in -ing). For example: "I have difficulty with math" or "I have difficulty with understanding abstract concepts."

Is it better to say "have difficulty with" or "have difficulties with"?

While both are grammatically correct, "have difficulty with" is more common when referring to a general problem. "Have difficulties with" is more appropriate when referring to multiple specific instances of trouble.

What's the difference between "have difficulty with" and "have a hard time with"?

"Have difficulty with" and "have a hard time with" are very similar, but "have a hard time with" can sometimes imply more emotional frustration or effort involved than simply "having difficulty with".