having difficulties with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "having difficulties with" is perfectly correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are describing a challenge that someone is facing. For example: "My students are having difficulties with understanding basic algebra."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The patient was having difficulties with his academic department.

The New York Times - Magazine

Are you having difficulties with your coursework, or is there a personal issue troubling you?

Columbia University

It seemed she was having difficulties with a new friend from the Dominican Republic.

University of California, Berkeley

At the office I was still having difficulties with my report.

The New Yorker

"The payment depends on tax collections, and as everyone knows, we are having difficulties with revenues".

The New York Times

"Had you been having difficulties with the deceased — with Madeline?" "No".

The New Yorker

Around that time, Felker confided to Murdoch that he was having difficulties with his board.

The New Yorker

But he then said he was having difficulties with his properties and was short of money.

The New York Times

The latest bulletins include Hyundais and Hondas, and also a Jaguar that is having difficulties with spark plugs.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

I'm having difficulty with the question.

The New Yorker

It provides insight into what people are having difficulty with.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific problem, follow "having difficulties with" with a clear and concise description of the issue. For example: "The team is having difficulties with meeting the project deadline."

Common error

Don't just say someone is "having difficulties with" something without specifying what those difficulties are. Be specific to provide context and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having difficulties with" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the experience of problems or challenges. It sets the stage for specifying the area in which the subject is encountering these difficulties. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a grammatically sound phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "having difficulties with" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to describe the experience of encountering problems or challenges. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, it's widely used across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and science. While generally neutral in register, it's important to follow it with a clear specification of the issue to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "struggling with" or "facing challenges in" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. Understanding these nuances allows for more precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encountering problems with

Replaces "difficulties" with "problems" and "having" with "encountering", altering the verb while maintaining the core meaning.

struggling with

Uses "struggling" to convey the sense of effort and difficulty, replacing the more formal "having difficulties".

facing challenges in

Substitutes "difficulties" with "challenges" and uses "in" instead of "with", offering a slightly more positive framing.

experiencing trouble with

Employs "trouble" as a synonym for "difficulties" and "experiencing" for "having", providing a more direct expression of the issue.

finding it hard to

Shifts the focus to the subjective experience of difficulty, using a more personal and less formal tone.

grappling with

Uses "grappling" to suggest a more intense struggle or effort in dealing with a problem.

contending with

Replaces "having difficulties" with "contending", suggesting active engagement with and opposition from the difficulty.

in the midst of a struggle with

This longer phrase emphasizes the ongoing nature and intensity of the difficulty.

undergoing hardship with

Substitutes difficulty to "hardship" suggesting a longer lasting trouble.

locked in a battle with

This expression suggests a forceful and persistent struggle against something challenging.

FAQs

What does "having difficulties with" mean?

The phrase "having difficulties with" means experiencing problems or challenges in a particular area or task. It suggests that someone is finding something hard to do or understand.

What can I say instead of "having difficulties with"?

You can use alternatives like "struggling with", "encountering problems with", or "facing challenges in" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "having difficulty with" instead of "having difficulties with"?

Yes, both "having difficulty with" and "having difficulties with" are grammatically correct. The choice between them often depends on whether you want to emphasize a singular, general problem (difficulty) or multiple specific issues (difficulties).

How do I use "having difficulties with" in a sentence?

You can use "having difficulties with" to describe challenges in various situations. For example: "The company is having difficulties with its supply chain", or "The student is having difficulties with understanding the concept".