in its difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in its difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the challenging nature of a task, situation, or concept. Example: "The project was impressive in its difficulty, requiring advanced skills and extensive research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Where it differs is in its difficulty – Earthworm Jim isn't especially hard, and can be polished off in a couple of hours by a first-timer – and its madcap humour.

Vice

Indeed, for Mr. Taylor, some of the work's allure seems to lie in its difficulty.

The New York Times - Arts

New York is far from alone in its difficulty in finding new officers.

The New York Times

The drawback of this method lies in its difficulty of implementation for nonlinear problems.

Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Italy is not alone in its difficulties.

The New York Times

Nor is China alone in its difficulties.

The New York Times

While the government is mired in its difficulties, the Tories are using think tanks as their playground just as Blair did while Major was embroiled with the 'bastards' within.

The Guardian

For example, he criticized the commission for referring several times in the report to its difficulty in getting the department to turn over relevant documents.

The New York Times

To celebrate the event's 30-year anniversary, and in recognition of its difficulty, the route was used as the Queen stage in the year's Giro d'Italia.

The Guardian - Sport

His poetry was unusual in its extreme difficulty but possessed great tonal depth and resonance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Excessive free lime in the BOF slag will react with water and causes serious expansion, and thus, results in its reutilization difficulty.

Construction and Building Materials

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in its difficulty", ensure the context clearly establishes what the 'it' refers to. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "in its difficulty" when the subject causing the difficulty is unclear or undefined. Always ensure the antecedent of 'it' is explicitly stated or readily inferable from the surrounding text to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in its difficulty" functions as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a verb or noun. It specifies a particular aspect or characteristic of the subject, highlighting the challenges or complexities associated with it. Ludwig shows it describes something as inherently challenging.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in its difficulty" is a prepositional phrase used to emphasize the challenging aspects of a given subject. While grammatically sound, Ludwig's examples show that it appears relatively infrequently, being most common in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When using "in its difficulty", it's important to ensure the context clearly identifies what 'it' refers to, avoiding ambiguity. Alternatives like "in its complexity" or "due to its challenges" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. The phrase, while correct, benefits from careful contextualization for maximum clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regarding its complexity

Focuses on the complex nature of the subject, rather than its challenging aspect.

considering its intricacy

Emphasizes the complex and interwoven elements contributing to difficulty.

concerning its arduousness

Emphasizes the effort and labor required, highlighting a different facet of difficulty.

respecting its demanding nature

Highlights the high standards and requirements, rather than inherent difficulty.

because of its toughness

Emphasizes the resilience and strength required to overcome the challenge.

with regard to its complicatedness

Focuses on the intricacies and elaborate nature of the subject.

given its problematic side

Shifts focus to the problematic aspect, rather than general difficulty.

on account of its trickiness

Highlights the deceptive or misleading aspects of the challenge.

owing to its rigorousness

Focuses on the strict and demanding standards contributing to the challenge.

as to its strenuousness

Highlights the effort and energy needed, emphasizing a physical or mental burden.

FAQs

How can I use "in its difficulty" in a sentence?

You can use "in its difficulty" to describe a challenging aspect of something. For example, "The project was unique in its difficulty, requiring skills beyond the norm".

What are some alternatives to "in its difficulty"?

Alternatives include "in its complexity", "due to its challenges", or "because of its demanding nature", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "in its difficulty" or "because of its difficulty"?

"In its difficulty" describes a quality inherent to something. "Because of its difficulty" indicates that something is a result of the difficulty. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning.

What is the difference between "difficulty in its implementation" and "difficulty of its implementation"?

"Difficulty in its implementation" emphasizes problems encountered during the process of implementation. "Difficulty of its implementation" focuses on the inherent challenges present within the implementation itself. While similar, the former points to practical hurdles, and the latter, intrinsic qualities.