have faced difficulties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have faced difficulties" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing challenges or obstacles that someone has encountered in the past. Example: "Throughout her career, she has faced difficulties that have shaped her resilience and determination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Other gay retirement communities — there are about a dozen nationwide, according to SAGE — have faced difficulties.

The New York Times

Troops seem to have faced difficulties on every front in Mosul, a stronghold of Iraqi nationalism.

The New York Times

"Many people who are qualified and considerate have faced difficulties," he said.

The New York Times

But American forces seem to have faced difficulties on every front in Mosul, a stronghold of Iraqi nationalism.

The New York Times

Ark Clothing, the toy and model retailers Modelzone, and Dwell, a furniture retailer, are other British retailers that have faced difficulties recently.

The New York Times

Another senior House member from California, drawn into a new district where he would have faced difficulties being re-elected, is calling it a day.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

In smaller settlements, people with limited mobility have faced difficulty in accessing foodstuffs, while many are living without proper heating or electricity for long stretches.

The Guardian

The rationale shows that MSEs' owners have faced difficulty in getting warranty to borrow money, which they need especially during the start of their business.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

While many Americans have struggled to pay their mortgage since the 2008 economic crash, the number who have faced difficulty affording their "houses" (plural) dwindles considerably.

BBC

Whereas travelers have faced difficulty at times using their personal credit cards in different countries, the standard features of EMV allow consumers to safely use the credit cards globally within the EMV infrastructure – international commerce with ease.

TechCrunch

India's regulators would have faced difficulty going against popular sentiment on this topic.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have faced difficulties", be specific about the nature of the difficulties to provide clarity and context. This helps the audience understand the scope and impact of the challenges.

Common error

Avoid vague statements like "they have faced difficulties" without elaborating. Instead, specify what kind of "challenges" or "problems" they encountered to make your writing more informative and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have faced difficulties" functions as a verbal phrase within a sentence, typically serving as the main verb or part of the verb phrase. It indicates that the subject has experienced or encountered problems or challenges.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have faced difficulties" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that someone or something has experienced challenges. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports to business communications. While versatile, providing specific details about the nature of the difficulties enhances clarity. Alternative phrases such as "have encountered problems" or "have struggled with challenges" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Remember to avoid vagueness by specifying the nature of the difficulties to improve your writing's impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have encountered problems

Replaces "difficulties" with "problems", suggesting a more general term for challenges.

have experienced setbacks

Uses "setbacks" to highlight temporary impediments or reversals in progress.

have struggled with challenges

Emphasizes the effort and struggle involved in dealing with difficulties.

have been through hardships

Highlights the severity and demanding nature of the difficulties.

have dealt with adversity

Focuses on overcoming challenging and unfavorable circumstances.

have navigated obstacles

Suggests skillful maneuvering around impediments.

have confronted issues

Highlights a direct and proactive approach to addressing problems.

have undergone trials

Emphasizes the testing or proving nature of the difficulties.

have met with misfortune

Highlights bad luck or adverse fate as the cause of difficulties.

have had a rough time

Uses a more informal expression to describe a period of difficulty.

FAQs

What's a formal alternative to "have faced difficulties"?

A more formal alternative could be "have encountered challenges" or "have experienced setbacks" which maintains a professional tone.

How can I make "have faced difficulties" more specific?

Instead of a general statement, specify the type of difficulties, such as "have faced financial difficulties" or "have faced technical difficulties" to provide more context.

What are some synonyms for "have faced difficulties"?

Synonyms include "have struggled with challenges", "have dealt with adversity", or "have overcome obstacles", each offering a slightly different nuance.

Is it correct to say "has faced difficulties"?

Yes, "has faced difficulties" is correct when referring to a singular subject, while "have faced difficulties" is used for plural subjects or with the pronoun "I", "you", "we", or "they".