having difficulty understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "having difficulty understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a challenge or struggle in comprehending something, whether it's a concept, text, or instructions. Example: "Many students are having difficulty understanding the complex theories presented in the textbook."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

"That thIng is bigger triedmine!" Follow Chris Edwards on toittexplain

Vice

I am having difficulty understanding the biology of our hosts.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"We are having difficulty understanding Australia's climate change policies and their new environmental regime.

The Guardian

I'm having difficulty understanding the problem for which you are seeking help.

The New York Times

I'm having difficulty understanding why we have some line in the sand drawn around the notion of chemical weapons.

The New Yorker

"It's a very positive thing, but some Cubans are having difficulty understanding that now not everything depends on the state".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Outsiders have trouble understanding them when they speak, and family members have difficulty understanding one another.

The New York Times

Many speak little or no English, and have had difficulty understanding how to apply for help.

The New York Times

Tyrrell has difficulty understanding why more young people don't sign up for grape-picking work.

The Guardian

The real problem is the word "send", which Vote Leave seems to have difficulty understanding.

The Guardian

Although people are better informed than they were, I think they have difficulty understanding contemporary art.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing others "having difficulty understanding", consider their perspective. Use empathic language to demonstrate your understanding and willingness to help.

Common error

Avoid replacing "having difficulty understanding" with very informal alternatives like "not getting it" in academic papers or professional reports. This maintains a level of formality suitable for the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having difficulty understanding" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating a state of impeded comprehension. It combines a present participle adjective ("having") with a noun phrase ("difficulty understanding") to modify a subject, denoting their struggle. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "having difficulty understanding" is a common and grammatically sound way to express challenges in comprehension. It's versatile, fitting into both formal and informal contexts, though slightly more formal alternatives exist for specific situations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted. Its frequent use in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian highlights its reliability. When using this phrase, specificity can enhance clarity, and empathy can improve communication. While informal substitutions exist, maintaining a level of formality is crucial in academic or professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

struggling to comprehend

Replaces "difficulty" with "struggling" and "understanding" with "comprehend", indicating a more active effort to understand.

experiencing trouble understanding

A more direct and simple alternative, using "trouble" to indicate difficulty.

finding it hard to grasp

Uses more informal language, replacing "difficulty" with "hard" and "understanding" with "grasp", suggesting a challenge in seizing the main point.

unable to fully comprehend

Focuses on the lack of ability to understand completely.

encountering challenges in comprehension

Formal alternative, replacing "difficulty" with "challenges" and focusing on the process of comprehension.

having a hard time making sense of

Focuses on the effort to find logical coherence, replacing "understanding" with "making sense of".

facing obstacles in understanding

Highlights the barriers to understanding, using "obstacles" to emphasize the difficulty.

lacking a clear understanding of

Highlights the absence of a clear understanding, emphasizing the lack of clarity.

grappling with the meaning of

Suggests a more intense struggle with meaning, using "grappling" to portray a physical effort to understand.

not quite getting

An informal expression that directly states a lack of understanding.

FAQs

What are some alternative phrases to "having difficulty understanding"?

Alternatives include "struggling to comprehend", "finding it hard to grasp", or "unable to fully comprehend", depending on the context.

How can I use "having difficulty understanding" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a challenge in grasping a concept. For example: "Many students are "having difficulty understanding" the complex theories presented in the textbook."

Which is correct: "having difficulty understanding" or "having a difficult time understanding"?

Both are correct, but "having difficulty understanding" is more concise and often preferred in formal writing. "Having a difficult time understanding" is slightly more informal.

What's the difference between "having difficulty understanding" and "having trouble understanding"?

The two phrases are very similar. "Having trouble understanding" is slightly more informal than "having difficulty understanding", but they are often interchangeable.