led to difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "led to difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a particular action or event resulted in challenges or problems. Example: "The unexpected changes in the project timeline led to difficulty in meeting the deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Have they led to difficulty here getting done what we'd like to get done?

The Guardian - Business

This latter feature may have led to difficulty in delineating a sharp border between the CNIC and cortical regions in previous studies.

Hearing Research

A lack of validated measures of outcome and uncertainty regarding the appropriate disease states in which to test these agents have led to difficulty in trial design.

Seminars in Oncology

Our interdisciplinary degree programs often appear under-funded; competition between interdisciplinary fields and traditional disciplines has sometimes led to difficulty in hiring and promoting faculty; and occasionally school boundaries create obstacles to new programs or collaborations.

Stanford University

The limited ability of assays to detect Zika virus has led to difficulty in determining the prevalence of Zika virus infections, the incidence of congenital Zika syndrome and the frequency of neurological complications associated with Zika virus infections.

University of California, Berkeley

Solíman admits there was a breakdown of communications and "political differences" which led to "difficulty working with the mayor himself", but claims that what resulted was beyond the control of her department.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

That eventually led to difficulties.

Harvard Business Review

But Johnson's charm has led to difficulties.

The Guardian

Archives|LAYS EUROPE'S ILLS TO WILSON THEORIES; Sir John Power Says Over-Enthusiasm for Self-Determination Led to Difficulties.

The New York Times

LAYS EUROPE'S ILLS TO WILSON THEORIES; Sir John Power Says Over-Enthusiasm for Self-Determination Led to Difficulties.

The New York Times

He received many international scientific prizes, but the time-scale of recognition led to difficulties.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "led to difficulty", ensure that the cause-and-effect relationship is clear and supported by evidence or context. Avoid vague or ambiguous language that could weaken the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "led to difficulty" when the consequence is only a minor inconvenience or easily resolved issue. Choose a more appropriate phrase that accurately reflects the severity of the outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "led to difficulty" functions as a causal connector, linking a preceding event or condition to a subsequent problematic situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to show that something caused challenges or obstacles. The examples illustrate this by showing how various actions or circumstances resulted in specific difficulties.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

28%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "led to difficulty" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed causal connector, effectively illustrating a cause-and-effect relationship where a specific action or event results in challenges or problems. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. With a neutral register, it seamlessly integrates into diverse contexts, including science, news media, and academia. While alternative phrases exist to provide nuanced variations, "led to difficulty" remains a reliable and direct means of expressing how specific circumstances precipitated challenging outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resulted in complications

This phrase emphasizes the emergence of complex or problematic situations as a consequence.

caused complications

This implies a direct causation of complex problems.

brought about challenges

This highlights the introduction of demanding or testing circumstances.

created obstacles

This suggests the generation of barriers hindering progress or success.

precipitated problems

This indicates that something accelerated or directly caused issues to arise.

gave rise to issues

This suggests the start or origin of specific concerns or difficulties.

fostered setbacks

This implies the creation of conditions that caused regressions or delays.

engendered adversity

This emphasizes the creation of unfavorable or difficult conditions.

triggered impediments

This highlights the initiation of things that block or obstruct progress.

generated hitches

This indicates the production of minor or temporary problems.

FAQs

How can I use "led to difficulty" in a sentence?

Use "led to difficulty" to connect an action, decision, or event with a problematic consequence. For instance, "The lack of communication "led to difficulty" in coordinating the project."

What are some alternatives to "led to difficulty"?

You can use alternatives like "resulted in complications", "caused problems", or "brought about challenges" depending on the specific context.

Is it always negative when something "led to difficulty"?

Yes, the phrase "led to difficulty" always implies a negative outcome or problematic situation. It indicates that something has caused challenges or issues.

What's the difference between "led to difficulty" and "presented an opportunity"?

"Led to difficulty" indicates a negative outcome or problem, while "presented an opportunity" implies a positive or beneficial possibility. They are contrasting phrases with opposite meanings.