impending difficulties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impending difficulties" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe challenges or problems that are expected to occur in the near future. Example: "The team is preparing for the impending difficulties that may arise during the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is not clear which, if any, of the opposition forces might join a pact that Mr Hernández hopes to forge to overcome his party's minority in the 128-seat Congress.Despite these impending difficulties in what is one of Latin America's poorest countries, some outsiders put a positive spin on the election.

The Economist

"Don't saw off the branch you are sitting on," barked Mr Weber this week.Surprisingly, Lufthansa is more relaxed about the imminent invasion of German airspace by cut-price airlines than it is about other impending difficulties, such as the sagging economy and expected tax rises.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The media, which not all that long ago lionised him, have turned hostile, describing his actions at Sears as "rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic", asking if he has "lost his Midas Touch", naming him "worst boss of the year" and even suggesting that his difficulties indicate impending trouble for dealmakers everywhere.

The Economist

Lagerfeld believes this gives the brand a cushion against any impending financial difficulties.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In one example of the import substitution sought by the Kremlin, Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, said at a meeting with representatives of Russia's military-industrial complex on Monday night that the country would replace imported components for its arms production, and the impending "technological difficulties" would in the end be beneficial for the country.

The Guardian

The impending shortage aggravates the difficulty.

The New York Times

His novel, A Stone Boat, tells the story of a young man coping with his mother's impending death and her difficulty in accepting his homosexuality.

The Guardian - Books

They write, "Some know everything about their disease, some nothing; some families find closure and peace, others are at war before and after the death; some people are able to find meaning despite pain and impending death, others have difficulty".

The New York Times - Health

I wasn't sure at first why we weren't being honest with Mike about where he was; but my dad explained that because the cancer shot to his brain, he had difficulty processing his impending death.

Huffington Post

Common presenting problems are losses (e.g., deaths, loss of health, loss of jobs), relationship difficulties, problems at work and impending life decisions.

BMC Medical Education

The main indications for tracheostomy were impending upper airway obstruction, respiratory distress and difficulty in intubation.

Critical Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "impending difficulties", provide context to clarify the nature and scope of these difficulties. This helps the reader understand the seriousness and potential impact of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "imminent" in place of "impending". "Imminent" suggests something is about to happen immediately, whereas "impending" suggests something is approaching or looming in the near future but not necessarily immediate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impending difficulties" functions as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. "Impending" describes the nature of the "difficulties", indicating they are about to occur. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and readily usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "impending difficulties" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe challenges or problems expected to occur in the near future. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. The phrase is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts but is also appropriate for science and business writing. When using this phrase, provide sufficient context to clarify the nature and potential impact of these difficulties. Consider related phrases like "forthcoming challenges" or "looming problems" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Be mindful not to confuse "impending" with "imminent".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forthcoming challenges

Emphasizes the challenges as being the main aspect, rather than the difficulties.

looming problems

Uses "looming" to suggest a potentially larger and more threatening aspect of the problems.

approaching setbacks

Focuses on the idea of setbacks that are on their way, suggesting a temporary hindrance.

impending hardships

Replaces "difficulties" with "hardships", suggesting a greater level of suffering or adversity.

oncoming troubles

Uses "oncoming" to emphasize the sense of the troubles moving closer.

brewing issues

Suggests that the issues are developing or intensifying.

gathering storm

Employs a metaphor to indicate a situation that is worsening and about to cause trouble.

emerging obstacles

Highlights the novel or recently arising nature of the obstacles.

developing crises

Implies that the crises are unfolding and may not be fully formed yet.

near-term struggles

Focuses on the immediate or short-term nature of the struggles.

FAQs

How can I use "impending difficulties" in a sentence?

You can use "impending difficulties" to refer to challenges that are expected to occur soon. For example, "The company is preparing for the impending difficulties of the economic downturn."

What are some alternatives to "impending difficulties"?

You can use alternatives such as "forthcoming challenges", "looming problems", or "approaching setbacks" depending on the specific context.

Is "impending difficulties" formal or informal language?

"Impending difficulties" is considered neutral to formal language, suitable for use in news articles, business reports, and academic papers.

What's the difference between "impending difficulties" and "existing difficulties"?

"Impending difficulties" refer to problems expected in the future, whereas "existing difficulties" refer to current or present problems.