increased difficulty in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "increased difficulty in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a rise in the level of challenge or complexity associated with a particular task or situation. Example: "The students experienced increased difficulty in understanding the advanced concepts presented in the course."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Popescu, T. et al. Transcranial random noise stimulation mitigates increased difficulty in an arithmetic learning task.

Nature

Potential hedge fund investors will also experience increased difficulty in qualifying as accredited investors.

Columbia University

Though the company still met overall standards, the county said Rural/Metro "had increased difficulty in doing so".

The New York Times

As house prices and mortgage costs rise, the poor are experiencing increased difficulty in finding homes, not only to buy but also to rent.

The New York Times

Our results show that women face increased difficulty in accessing bank financing, and specifically that women's entrepreneurship suffers heavily from the recent transformation among banks.

Harvard Business Review

Aging persons who are affected by disability typically experience increased difficulty in performing activities of daily living (ADL), such as dressing, shopping, and showering.

Encyclopedia Britannica

According to reports, Loftsson has faced increased difficulty in his whaling activities in recent years due to a combination of logistical problems, a falling market for whale meat and increased international opposition to whaling.

The Guardian

It adds: "The consequences, gravely damaging to the health and wellbeing of children, include increased difficulty in providing 24/7 paediatric cover, increasing need for locum and agency staff, and a reduction in innovation and medical advance".

The Guardian

Mr. Jenkins said a drop in large donations was the main source of the crisis, along with the shedding of the subscriber rolls and increased difficulty in selling more expensive seats.

The New York Times - Arts

It starts by describing a variety of possible approaches, in order of increasing complexity, and then selects one that gives significantly increased flexibility with only slightly increased difficulty in implementation.

Computers, Environment and Urban Systems

.Children undergoing treatment for ALL may experience issues with verbal working memory and increased difficulty in school.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "increased difficulty in", ensure the context clearly specifies what is becoming more difficult. For example, instead of just saying "there was increased difficulty in the project", specify "there was increased difficulty in managing the project's budget".

Common error

Avoid using "increased difficulty in" without clearly defining what the difficulty pertains to. Ambiguity can weaken your statement. Always follow with a specific area or task where the difficulty has risen.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increased difficulty in" functions as a modifier, specifically describing a rise in the level of challenge associated with a particular task or situation. Ludwig AI confirms that is grammatically correct and widely used, as shown by its numerous examples across different sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

34%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "increased difficulty in" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, that describes a growing challenge or obstacle in a specific context. It's appropriate for neutral to formal registers, with a high prevalence in scientific and news-related sources. When using this phrase, ensure that you clearly specify what the difficulty pertains to, avoiding ambiguity and strengthening your statement. Consider alternatives like "heightened challenge in" or "greater struggle with" to add nuance, and be mindful of whether "difficulty" or "difficulties" is more appropriate based on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heightened challenge in

Emphasizes the intensification of the challenge, suggesting a more significant increase in difficulty.

greater struggle with

Focuses on the effort required to overcome the difficulty, highlighting the active engagement in dealing with the problem.

growing problem with

Highlights the progressive nature of the difficulty, suggesting it is worsening over time.

mounting challenge in

Implies an accumulation of difficulty, suggesting the challenges are building up and becoming more substantial.

escalating complexity in

Focuses on the rising intricacy and sophistication of the situation, suggesting the difficulty stems from increased complexity.

worsening issue with

Emphasizes the deteriorating condition of the situation, highlighting the negative impact of the increasing difficulty.

aggravated problem in

Suggests the problem has become more severe or intense, indicating a more serious level of difficulty.

intensified hardship in

Focuses on the increased severity of the hardship experienced due to the difficulty.

exacerbated struggle with

Highlights the worsening of an existing struggle, indicating the difficulty has made the situation even more challenging.

compounded difficulty in

Suggests the difficulty is made up of multiple contributing factors, indicating a more complex and layered challenge.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "increased difficulty in" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "heightened challenge in" or "escalating complexity in", depending on the specific context.

What's a simpler way to say "increased difficulty in"?

Simpler alternatives include "more trouble with" or "harder time with", which are suitable for less formal situations.

Is it always necessary to use "in" after "increased difficulty"?

Yes, the preposition "in" is essential for completing the phrase correctly when followed by an activity or area. Omitting it can lead to grammatical errors, unless you rephrase to something like "the difficulty increased".

Which is more appropriate, "increased difficulty in" or "increased difficulties in"?

Use "increased difficulty in" when referring to a general area or type of challenge. Use "increased difficulties in" when referring to several specific challenges within that area. For example, "increased difficulty in project management" versus "increased difficulties in obtaining permits and managing logistics".