long-standing difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "long-standing difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a problem or challenge that has persisted for a significant amount of time. Example: "The organization has been facing a long-standing difficulty in securing funding for its projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Just days before Mitt Romney formally assumes the leadership of his party, he and his Republican colleagues are once again confronting the party's long-standing difficulty attracting the support of women — a demographic reality that could cost Mr. Romney the White House.

The New York Times

One main reason for this situation has been the long-standing difficulty of demonstrating intercisternal continuities in thin sections for electron microscopy.

eLife

As we noted at the beginning, the absence of any information about the reaction intermediates has been a long-standing difficulty that has hindered progress and the precise mechanism has yet to be established.

Biochemistry

A long-standing difficulty in understanding the specificity of T cell recognition is to reconcile the hypothesis that T-cell activation is determined by the lifetime of TCR-pMHC bond and the finding that widely different responses are induced by pMHCs that are bound with dissociation rates differing by a factor lower than 10.

European Journal of Immunology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

(U) Lastly, U/S Burns asked for the President's assistance in resolving the long-standing difficulties in finalizing the lease for the new Embassy compound.

The Guardian

A briefing paper from NHS England describes the targeted localities as having deep-rooted and long-standing difficulties that are in need of transformation.

The Guardian

In the meantime, the knowledge of the Soviet-bloc countries' long-standing difficulties had given rise in many developing countries to a repugnance to Soviet planning methods, while the methods used in the developed noncommunist countries were felt to be not directly applicable, either.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr Kershaw will examine the long-standing difficulties at the trust before publishing a draft report on 29 October.

BBC

In a Regulatory Notice, the HCA said there were "chronic and long-standing difficulties" in the delivery of the repairs service to 13,000 homes in the London area covered by Circle 33 and Old Ford Housing Association, which are part of CA. Over a period of three months in Circle 33's 8,000 homes, less than 20% of urgent and emergency repairs were completed on time, the HCA said.

BBC

Interviews revealed the long-standing difficulties of living with HIV, particularly in the domains of intimate relationships, perceived stigma, and chronic ill health.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Mr Brown promised £150m of rapidly delivered agricultural compensation for farming and industries which "today face long standing difficulties".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "long-standing difficulty", clearly define the specific area or context to which the difficulty pertains. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "long-standing difficulty" as a vague placeholder. If you cannot specify the nature of the difficulty, consider a more general term or provide additional details.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long-standing difficulty" functions as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a prolonged challenge or problem. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "long-standing difficulty" is a grammatically sound and contextually appropriate expression used to describe persistent challenges or problems. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability. While not exceptionally common, it finds relevance across various domains, notably News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. To enhance clarity, it's advisable to provide specific context when using the phrase. Alternatives such as "chronic problem" or "persistent challenge" may be considered depending on the intended nuance. Overusing the phrase without providing adequate detail is a common pitfall to avoid.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chronic problem

Focuses on the persistent nature of the problem.

persistent challenge

Emphasizes the ongoing and demanding nature of the situation.

enduring issue

Highlights the lasting quality of the problem.

protracted struggle

Emphasizes the length and effort involved in dealing with the difficulty.

deep-rooted problem

Indicates the problem is fundamental and hard to resolve.

age-old problem

Highlights that the problem is very old.

ingrained challenge

Indicates that the challenge is firmly established.

historical impediment

Positions the difficulty as a long-standing barrier with historical roots.

long-term impediment

Highlights the long-term characteristics of the impediment.

historical barrier

Positions the difficulty as a long-standing barrier with historical roots.

FAQs

How can I use "long-standing difficulty" in a sentence?

You can use "long-standing difficulty" to describe a problem or challenge that has persisted for a significant amount of time. For example, "The company has a "long-standing difficulty" in attracting young talent".

What are some alternatives to "long-standing difficulty"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "chronic problem", "persistent challenge", or "enduring issue".

Is it appropriate to use "long-standing difficulty" in formal writing?

Yes, "long-standing difficulty" is appropriate for formal writing. However, ensure that the tone and context align with the overall purpose of your writing.

What is the difference between "long-standing difficulty" and "recent problem"?

"Long-standing difficulty" implies a problem that has existed for an extended period, while "recent problem" refers to an issue that has emerged more recently. The key difference is the duration of the problem.