Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
is experiencing difficulties
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"is experiencing difficulties" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a situation where someone is having a hard time achieving something. For example, "My brother is experiencing difficulties with his job search."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Wiki
Formal & Business
Academia
Alternative expressions(17)
is struggling
is having trouble
is facing challenges
is having a hard time
is encountering obstacles
is undergoing hardship
is in trouble
is facing difficulties
is encountering difficulties
is having difficulties
is facing issues
is encountering problems
is undergoing trials
was experiencing difficulties
was facing challenges
was experiencing delays
was having difficulties
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
13 human-written examples
So Sweden is experiencing difficulties; Sweden is confused.
News & Media
The electric grid operator also introduced a free app in June to provide alerts when the grid is experiencing difficulties, so Texans know to make an extra effort to turn off lights.
News & Media
"Each is experiencing difficulties".
News & Media
Update: Scribblelive is experiencing difficulties.
News & Media
DownForEveryoneOrJustMe.com confirms that Yahoo is experiencing difficulties, and Twitter is also in an uproar over the outage.
News & Media
"The wellbeing of our students and staff is our number one concern, and we are committed to supporting anyone who is experiencing difficulties during their time at university.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
47 human-written examples
"The national economy is experiencing difficulty in developing an economic recovery that has some traction," she said.
News & Media
Regardless of the inflation threat, Poundland has been experiencing difficulties recently.
News & Media
Yet we already know that too many carers are experiencing difficulties.
News & Media
"But if states are experiencing difficulties, they should bring them to our attention".
News & Media
The pilot asked to return to Addis Ababa because he was experiencing difficulties, authorities said.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "is experiencing difficulties" when you want to convey a sense of ongoing challenges or problems that someone or something is facing. It's suitable for formal and neutral contexts.
Common error
Avoid using "is experiencing difficulties" in very casual or informal settings. Simpler phrases like "is having trouble" or "is struggling" might be more appropriate.
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "is experiencing difficulties" functions as a verb phrase indicating an ongoing state of challenge or hardship. Ludwig AI confirms the usability of this phrase in written English, highlighting its role in describing situations where someone is having a hard time.
Frequent in
News & Media
50%
Science
30%
Formal & Business
20%
Less common in
Wiki
20%
Academia
10%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "is experiencing difficulties" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that conveys an ongoing state of challenge or hardship. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for formal and neutral contexts like news reports and business communications, while simpler alternatives might be preferable in casual settings. While found across diverse sources, it's most common in "News & Media", "Science", and "Formal & Business" contexts. Remember to consider the register and audience when choosing this phrase.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
is facing challenges
Replaces 'difficulties' with 'challenges', focusing on the obstacles being confronted.
is encountering obstacles
Highlights the barriers or impediments being faced.
is having a hard time
A more colloquial way of saying someone is experiencing difficulties.
is struggling
A more general term for experiencing difficulty, implying effort against resistance.
is dealing with problems
Focuses on the act of managing or confronting problems.
is undergoing hardship
Emphasizes the severity of the difficulties being faced.
is laboring under difficulties
Implies that difficulties are weighing heavily on the subject.
is in trouble
Indicates a state of being in a problematic situation.
is going through a rough patch
Suggests a temporary period of difficulty.
is up against it
An idiomatic expression suggesting a challenging situation.
FAQs
What does "is experiencing difficulties" mean?
The phrase "is experiencing difficulties" means someone or something is currently facing problems or challenges. It suggests an ongoing situation where things are not going smoothly.
When is it appropriate to use "is experiencing difficulties"?
It's appropriate to use "is experiencing difficulties" in formal and neutral contexts, such as news reports, academic papers, or business communications. In more casual settings, simpler alternatives like "is struggling" or "is having trouble" might be preferred.
What are some alternatives to "is experiencing difficulties"?
Some alternatives to "is experiencing difficulties" include "is facing challenges", "is struggling", "is having a hard time", or "is encountering obstacles", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.
Is "is experiencing difficulties" formal?
Yes, "is experiencing difficulties" is considered a fairly formal phrase. While it's not overly stiff, it's more commonly used in professional or academic writing than in casual conversation.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested