maintain difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

Sentence The answer is yes, it is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the difficulty of a certain task or situation as something that needs to be maintained, kept stable, or held in a certain state. Example sentence: We need to be very careful to maintain difficulty in our course; it should be challenging but not too hard.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

20 Although many patients regain functional swallowing spontaneously within the first month following stroke, 10 some patients maintain difficulty swallowing beyond 6 months.

Clinical interventions in aging

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Child feeding problems are often associated with parental factors which may influence and maintain difficulties.

Appetite

Adaptive game software has the potential to maintain the difficulty of an educational task within the "zone of proximal development" [ 5], minimizing failure whilst maintaining adequate difficulty, thus providing a presumably ideal level of cognitive stimulation needed for progress.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

These values, which are quite close, indicate that both sets maintain similar difficulty index relative to the student's ability in the classes.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

Women's experience of sleep loss is different, and requires sensitivity to feminine factors that may cause and maintain sleep difficulties.

Huffington Post

8 Included in the factors known to help to maintain sleep difficulties are dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep.

Clinical interventions in aging

The most frequently mentioned effects were difficulty in maintaining emotional balance, difficulty eating and difficulty cleaning teeth [ 36].

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

That arrangement, which probably did not accord with Henry V's last wishes, was not maintained without difficulty.

Britannica

In Roman times a sea channel was maintained with difficulty to a harbour well west of Pion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The principles of academic freedom are a precious achievement, won and maintained with difficulty by a long line of devoted women and men.

Yale University

The forçats du pavé seek to keep the course safe for riders while maintaining its difficulty.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "maintain difficulty", ensure you clearly define what 'difficulty' refers to. For instance, specify if it's the difficulty of a task, a relationship, or a physical condition.

Common error

Avoid using "maintain difficulty" without specifying what contributes to the ongoing challenge. Ambiguity can reduce clarity. Be specific about the source or cause of the difficulty being maintained.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain difficulty" functions primarily as a verb phrase where 'maintain' acts as a transitive verb taking 'difficulty' as its object. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "maintain difficulty" is grammatically correct and frequently used across various domains, particularly in scientific, news, and encyclopedic contexts. According to Ludwig AI, it serves to describe the act of keeping a challenging aspect at a certain level or stable state. While the phrase is versatile, writing guidance emphasizes the importance of clearly defining the 'difficulty' being maintained to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases like "sustain complexity" and "uphold the challenge" provide alternative ways to express similar ideas, each with slight variations in emphasis. Understanding these nuances can help enhance clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sustain complexity

Focuses on keeping something complex at its current level.

manage complexity

Focuses on controlling complex situations.

uphold the challenge

Emphasizes preserving the demanding nature of a situation.

navigate challenges

Emphasizes skillful maneuvering around obstacles.

preserve rigor

Highlights the act of keeping strict standards or processes in place.

continue struggling

Focuses on the ongoing effort against difficulties.

address concerns

Shifts focus to actively tackling issues and anxieties.

persevere through hardship

Emphasizes endurance and determination when facing difficulties.

handle obstacles

Focuses on the ability to successfully manage impediments.

endure the problem

Highlights the continuation of experiencing difficulty.

FAQs

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

You can use "maintain difficulty" to describe the act of keeping a challenging aspect present. For example: "The adaptive game software can "maintain difficulty" within the zone of proximal development."

What are some alternatives to "maintain difficulty"?

Alternatives include "sustain complexity", "uphold the challenge", or "preserve rigor", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "maintain difficulty" or "manage difficulty"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "maintain difficulty" implies keeping a challenging aspect at its current level, whereas "manage difficulty" suggests dealing with an existing problem. Choose the phrase that best fits your intended meaning.

What does it mean to "maintain difficulty" in the context of a learning environment?

In a learning environment, "maintain difficulty" might refer to keeping the course challenging enough to stimulate students without overwhelming them. Adaptive learning tools often aim to "maintain difficulty" at an optimal level.