he has difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he has difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation when someone is having a hard time achieving a certain goal. For example, "John has difficulty completing his calculus homework on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He has difficulty knowing who he is.

The New Yorker

He has difficulty with his breathing, his swallowing, his jaw.

The New Yorker

He has difficulty concentrating or applying himself at work.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"He has difficulty expressing himself verbally," Mr. Arreaza said.

The New York Times

But, when the storm is over, he has difficulty leaving.

The New Yorker

He has difficulty raising them to comb his hair.

The New York Times

His habits of mind are meticulous, and he says he has difficulty doing anything casually.

The New Yorker

Lee averages 20 points, but he has difficulty creating his own shot.

The New York Times - Sports

He lost none of his teeth, but some were displaced slightly, and he has difficulty chewing.

The New York Times - Arts

"You have the idea that he has difficulty just standing up".

The New Yorker

He has difficulty in articulating exactly what he wanted to show him.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context when choosing between "he has difficulty" and its alternatives. More formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "he experiences challenges".

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences where the subject causing the difficulty is unclear or absent. For example, instead of "Reading is a difficulty he has", prefer "He has difficulty reading".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he has difficulty" functions as a descriptor, indicating a challenge or lack of ease in performing an action or dealing with a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he has difficulty" serves as a versatile descriptor used to denote a challenge or struggle faced by an individual. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage in written English. While adaptable across different registers, from formal to informal, it most frequently appears in news and media sources. For alternative phrasing, consider options such as "he finds it challenging" or "he struggles with" for similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. When utilizing the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the area of difficulty and avoiding overuse of passive voice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he finds it challenging

Emphasizes the challenging nature of a task or situation for the person.

he struggles with

Highlights the effort and conflict involved in dealing with something.

he finds it hard

A simpler, more direct way of expressing the difficulty.

he experiences trouble

Focuses on the problematic aspects and negative experiences encountered.

he is challenged by

Implies that something presents a significant test or obstacle.

he is deficient in

Highlights a lack of skill or ability in a specific area.

he is impaired in

Indicates a reduced ability to perform a task or function.

he lacks proficiency in

Emphasizes a lack of expertise or skill in a particular domain.

he is unable to

States a complete inability to perform an action.

he can't manage to

Indicates a failure to successfully complete a task.

FAQs

How can I use "he has difficulty" in a sentence?

You can use "he has difficulty" to describe a situation where someone struggles with a specific task or activity. For example, "He has difficulty remembering names" or "He has difficulty concentrating in noisy environments".

What are some alternatives to "he has difficulty"?

You can use alternatives like "he finds it challenging", "he struggles with", or "he finds it hard" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "he has difficulty" or "he struggles with"?

"He has difficulty" is generally considered slightly more formal than "he struggles with", but both are acceptable in most contexts. The best choice depends on the specific tone and audience.

Which is correct, "he has difficulty to" or "he has difficulty with"?

The correct usage is "he has difficulty with" followed by the object of the difficulty. "He has difficulty to" is grammatically incorrect. For example, "He has difficulty with math" is correct.