little difficulties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little difficulties" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to minor challenges or obstacles that one may encounter in a situation. Example: "While planning the event, we faced a few little difficulties, but we managed to overcome them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"Since the Eisenhower administration the NATO relationship has gone from little difficulties to things better, from little difficulties to things better," Mr. Rumsfeld, a former United States ambassador to NATO, told reporters traveling with him.

The New York Times

But despite their little difficulties, both companies, in their different ways, have demonstrated how a clear vision and a rigorous approach to training can help to build lasting and successful organisations.McKinsey has the advantage of age and experience.

The Economist

"We have still some little difficulties among Europeans," he said, without giving details. "We won't hide that so we still have to work and discuss for a certain amount of time".

The Guardian

And while, at the beginning, the little difficulties and mild offenses of "Dubliners" were exciting, and the greater challenges of "A Portrait" mind expanding, and "Ulysses," despite all the obscenity and abstruseness, simply monumental, nevertheless you're now finding the first chapters of Work in Progress bewildering.

The New Yorker

"You know, we had our little difficulties," Trump told a crowd of supporters at the Toyota Center.

Huffington Post

The South Korean government in Seoul, which was reduced to essential personnel before the battle, also left the city with little difficulties.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Most do so with little difficulty.

The New York Times

Most students find a research advisor with little difficulty.

University of California, Berkeley

Some groups are still finding employment with relatively little difficulty.

University of California, Berkeley

Teachers will find that students will work with little difficulty.

Yale University

We have little difficulty in concluding that art.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "little difficulties" to acknowledge minor issues without exaggerating them, especially in professional communication.

Common error

Avoid using "little difficulties" too frequently, as it can sound repetitive or dismissive. Vary your language to provide a more nuanced description of the challenges faced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little difficulties" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes minor problems or challenges encountered in a particular situation. Ludwig AI confirms this as it provides example sentences where the phrase is used to denote minor setbacks.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "little difficulties" is a grammatically sound and acceptably common way to describe minor challenges or problems. According to Ludwig AI, it functions as a noun phrase, often used to downplay concerns while still acknowledging issues. The phrase is suitable for neutral and professional contexts. While prevalent in News & Media and Academic writing, it's advisable to avoid overuse to maintain clarity and impact. Alternatives include "minor challenges" or "slight complications" for added nuance. The phrase is found in authoritative sources, making it a reliable option for conveying manageable setbacks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor challenges

A direct synonym, maintaining a neutral and general tone.

minor setbacks

Focuses on the temporary and surmountable nature of the challenges.

slight complications

Emphasizes the complexity introduced by the challenges, though still minor.

small inconveniences

Highlights the bothersome aspect of the challenges, portraying them as disruptions to convenience.

petty problems

Underscores the insignificance of the challenges, suggesting they are trivial.

trivial issues

Similar to "petty problems", emphasizing the lack of importance of the challenges.

modest obstacles

Highlights the challenges as barriers, but ones that are easily overcome.

small hurdles

Uses a metaphorical image to represent challenges as something to be jumped over.

light struggles

Focuses on the effort required, but implies that it is not overly burdensome.

easy challenges

Focuses on the ease with which it can be overcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "little difficulties" to describe minor problems encountered. For instance, "We experienced "little difficulties" during the project, but we resolved them quickly."

What are some alternatives to "little difficulties"?

Alternatives include "minor challenges", "slight complications", or "small inconveniences", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "little difficulties" in formal writing?

Yes, "little difficulties" is generally acceptable in formal writing, but consider using more precise language if the situation requires a more detailed description of the issues.

What's the difference between "minor problems" and "little difficulties"?

While similar, "little difficulties" can sometimes imply a sense of understatement or downplaying of the issues, whereas "minor problems" is more direct and neutral.