longstanding difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "longstanding 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 faced a longstanding difficulty in securing funding for its projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Ehrlich's 606th experiment worked; however, the phrase, with its reliance on magic that defies good sense, has now come to mean "a quick fix to a longstanding difficulty".

The New York Times - Magazine

More broadly, the phantom attacks underscore the longstanding difficulty of gaining reliable information about America's drone program in the remote and largely inaccessible tribal belt — particularly at a time when the program is under sharp scrutiny in Washington.

The New York Times

When Coty made that offer public last month, it sought to capitalize on Avon's troubles, including a continuing investigation into allegations of bribery in several countries and a longstanding difficulty in raising its stock price.

The New York Times

With the ability to upload that video to the service, they become an active user that much quicker, hopefully avoiding the longstanding difficulty parent firm Twitter has in encouraging new members to become active users.

The Guardian - Tech

When Coty, which is privately held, first made its takeover public last month, it had sought to capitalize upon Avon's troubles, including an ongoing investigation into allegations of bribery in several countries and a longstanding difficulty in raising its stock price.

The New York Times

Britain has a longstanding difficulty in this area - we've been fretting about it since the mid-19th century.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"But we could find our way over some of these longstanding difficulties if we could be engaging a little sooner in talks for the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas".

The New York Times

While it solves several problems in the company's current approach to grading mutual fund performance, several longstanding difficulties will remain -- and the new system will create some of its own.

The New York Times

The perils and sensitivities surrounding the rocket fire starkly underscored the longstanding difficulties faced by the latest rotation of soldiers in the Afghan war, who are in front-line positions built by previous units, under fire, but with restrictions on firing back or when planning operations to deter more attacks.

The New York Times

There have been 15 years of disagreements over the management and rights to the Missouri River and longstanding difficulties in developing an agreement among state officials in Alabama, Georgia and Florida over the allocation of the water from the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee and Flint rivers.

Huffington Post

It may sound like a far-fetched plan, considering the longstanding difficulties that the anti-Trump forces have encountered so far, not to mention Trump's apparent strength in California, as well as in other upcoming states.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "longstanding difficulty" to introduce a problem that has a history. It sets the stage for discussing the causes or potential solutions.

Common error

Avoid using "longstanding difficulty" for minor or easily resolved issues. Save it for problems that are genuinely significant and persistent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "longstanding difficulty" functions as a noun phrase, where "longstanding" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "difficulty". It describes a problem or challenge that has persisted for a significant period. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "longstanding difficulty" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for describing persistent problems. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for various contexts, ranging from news reports to scientific discussions. While not exceedingly common, its usage is frequent enough to be considered standard. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context is clearly defined, and the problem is indeed significant and enduring. Consider alternatives like "chronic problem" or "persistent issue" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chronic problem

Replaces "difficulty" with "problem" to emphasize the troublesome nature while retaining the sense of persistence.

persistent issue

Similar to "chronic problem", but uses "issue" which can sound slightly less severe than "problem".

long-term challenge

Substitutes "difficulty" with "challenge", framing it as an obstacle to overcome over a long period.

enduring hardship

Emphasizes the suffering aspect of a difficulty that persists over time.

deep-seated problem

Indicates that the problem is firmly established and difficult to resolve, highlighting its entrenchment.

entrenched obstacle

Focuses on the obstacle aspect, indicating that it is firmly established and difficult to remove.

historical struggle

Frames the difficulty as a struggle that has been ongoing throughout history.

protracted adversity

Highlights the prolonged and unfavorable nature of the difficulty.

perennial complication

Emphasizes the recurring nature of the difficulty, suggesting it arises repeatedly.

long-lived predicament

Replaces both "longstanding" and "difficulty" with synonyms emphasizing duration and a difficult situation.

FAQs

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

Use "longstanding difficulty" to describe a problem that has existed for a considerable time. For instance, "The company faces a "longstanding difficulty" in retaining employees".

What are some alternatives to "longstanding difficulty"?

You can use alternatives like "chronic problem", "persistent issue", or "long-term challenge" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "longstanding issue" or "longstanding difficulty"?

Both are correct, but ""longstanding difficulty"" often implies a more significant or complex problem than "longstanding issue".

What's the difference between a "longstanding difficulty" and a "temporary setback"?

A ""longstanding difficulty"" is a persistent problem that has existed for a long time, while a "temporary setback" is a short-term obstacle or delay.