i was finding it very difficult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was finding it very difficult" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a past experience where you encountered challenges or obstacles. Example: "During the exam, I was finding it very difficult to concentrate due to the noise in the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I was finding it very difficult.

The Guardian - Sport

"My old system is more than 20 years old and I was finding it very difficult to continue to communicate effectively and do the things I love to do," Professor Hawking said in London.

Independent

"I was finding it very difficult to continue to communicate effectively and so do the things I love to do," he told a press conference in London for the launch of the new Intel software platform.

The Guardian

"I was finding it very difficult to cope with what was going on," he said.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"I am finding it very difficult to find well-trained postdocs," confirms Madhusudhan Venkadesan at the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bangalore.

Science Magazine

"But the thing that we are not used to, and I'm finding it very difficult to get used to, are the howls of wolves.

The New York Times

"I'm finding it very difficult.

BBC

Mr Adams said: "I'm finding it very difficult.

BBC

"I'm finding it very difficult," she says.

BBC

"I assume that he is still alive but that the government is finding it very difficult to find a way out of the situation," he said.

The New York Times

"We are finding it very difficult to reach the affected remote areas," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing past difficulties, use "I was finding it very difficult" to convey a sense of ongoing struggle rather than a completed event. This implies the difficulty persisted for some time.

Common error

While grammatically correct, repeatedly using "I was finding it very difficult" can make your writing sound monotonous. Vary your language by using synonyms like "I struggled considerably" or "I encountered significant challenges".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was finding it very difficult" functions as a statement expressing the speaker's subjective experience of facing considerable challenges or obstacles in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its validity as an English expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was finding it very difficult" is a grammatically correct way to express a past experience of struggling with something. Ludwig AI validates this. While relatively common, it's advisable to vary your language to avoid monotony. It's important to note that the examples showcase use across diverse categories such as News & Media, and Science, suggesting a broad applicability. When employing this phrase, ensure you set clear context about the specific challenge encountered. Alternatives phrases like "I struggled considerably" are available if you want to express the same concept in a slightly different way.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I found it quite challenging

Uses "challenging" as an adjective to describe the situation or task.

I struggled considerably

Emphasizes the effort and difficulty experienced, using a single verb for conciseness.

I had a very hard time

Uses a more common and informal expression to indicate difficulty.

I was having a tough time

Similar to "I had a very hard time", but uses continuous tense to emphasize the ongoing nature of the difficulty.

I encountered significant challenges

Replaces the descriptive "finding it very difficult" with a more direct statement of encountering challenges.

I experienced considerable difficulty

Formalizes the sentiment using "experienced" and "considerable" for a more professional tone.

I faced substantial obstacles

Highlights the presence of obstacles rather than the feeling of difficulty.

I had difficulty coping

Focuses on the ability to manage or cope with a situation, indicating that the difficulty was overwhelming.

I was challenged significantly

Expresses the idea that something or someone presented a considerable challenge.

I was up against it

An idiomatic expression indicating that someone is facing significant problems or opposition.

FAQs

What does "I was finding it very difficult" mean?

It means that in the past, you were experiencing a situation that presented significant challenges or obstacles. It conveys a sense of ongoing struggle during that period.

What can I say instead of "I was finding it very difficult"?

You can use alternatives like "I struggled considerably", "I encountered significant challenges", or "I had a very hard time" depending on the context.

Is "I am finding it very difficult" grammatically correct?

Yes, but it implies that you are currently in the process of experiencing difficulty. "I was finding it very difficult" refers to a past experience.

How can I use "I was finding it very difficult" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "During the online exam, "I was finding it very difficult" to concentrate due to the constant notifications." Always provide a specific context to highlight the specific struggle.