little difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

'little difficulty' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that a task or challenge was relatively easy to complete, or that it was encountered with only a small amount of resistance. Example sentence: Even though the assignment was complex, it was completed with little difficulty.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 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

Warner has little difficulty instilling a tone of furious determination.

The Guardian - Music

But new volunteers were often recruited with little difficulty.

The Guardian

Both of those systems managed with little difficulty.

The New York Times

Ross had little difficulty blowing up the first idea.

The New York Times - Sports

Spaniards generally have little difficulty with their footing on clay.

The New York Times - Sports

Hoggard should have little difficulty finding a new club.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "little difficulty" to emphasize the relative ease with which something was accomplished, especially when contrasting it with potential challenges or expected obstacles. For example: "Despite the complexity of the project, the team completed it with little difficulty."

Common error

Avoid using "little difficulty" when the task was actually challenging or required significant effort. "Some difficulty" or "moderate difficulty" would be more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little difficulty" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to describe the manner in which an action is performed. As evidenced by Ludwig, it indicates that something was done with relative ease and minimal obstacles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "little difficulty" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that communicates ease in accomplishing a task. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It appears across a spectrum of sources, from news media to academic journals, denoting its versatility. When aiming to convey that something was achieved with relative ease, "little difficulty" serves as an effective choice. Alternative phrases such as "with ease" or "without much trouble" can be employed for similar effect, albeit with slight variations in nuance. Be mindful of the actual effort involved and select the phrase that best reflects the true level of ease encountered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with ease

Emphasizes the effortless nature of performing an action.

without much trouble

Highlights the absence of significant problems or complications.

relatively easily

Indicates that something was accomplished with a moderate level of effort.

without significant impediment

Focuses on the lack of major obstacles or hindrances.

with minimal effort

Stresses the small amount of work required.

smoothly

Highlights the seamless and uninterrupted progression of an action.

effortlessly

Suggests that something was done in a way that appeared to require no exertion.

handily

Implies skill and efficiency in accomplishing something.

comfortably

Highlights the lack of stress or strain in achieving a result.

without a hitch

Emphasizes that everything went according to plan without any unexpected issues.

FAQs

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

You can use "little difficulty" to describe an action that was performed easily or with minimal problems. For example: "The student completed the exam with little difficulty."

What are some alternatives to saying "little difficulty"?

You can use alternatives like "with ease", "without much trouble", or "relatively easily" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "with little difficulty"?

Yes, it is perfectly correct and common to use the preposition "with" before "little difficulty". The phrase "with little difficulty" adds context by indicating how something was achieved.

What is the difference between "little difficulty" and "no difficulty"?

"Little difficulty" implies that there were minor challenges or obstacles, but they were easily overcome. "No difficulty" suggests that the task was completely effortless and without any problems whatsoever.