major difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

"major difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a challenge or problem that requires great effort or has a significant impact. For example: "The company faced a major difficulty in finding a suitable replacement for the CEO."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The film's major difficulty is the screenplay by Jane Wagner.

The New York Times

One major difficulty they cite is the lack of financing.

The New York Times

It just feels like a major difficulty in life".

The New York Times - Arts

The major difficulty of the Poisson Neumann problem solvability is addressed and correctly treated.

Journal of Computational Physics

The other major difficulty comes in the type of music with which NME has become associated.

The Guardian

It gets messy towards the end, where Cusk overcomplicates the plot and ducks a major difficulty.

The Guardian

Another major difficulty for digital books is how to price them.

The Guardian - Books

"P14 now explains perfectly a major difficulty which we couldn't understand," Dr. McCormick said.

The New York Times - Health

A second major difficulty was the world I was flung into.

The Guardian

The major difficulty is in the one-dimensional performance by Jack Howell, who plays Father Farley.

The New York Times

In addition, patent rights remained a major difficulty for the industry.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "major difficulty", ensure the context clearly establishes the significance of the problem being discussed. Quantify the impact whenever possible to emphasize the scale of the difficulty.

Common error

Avoid using "major difficulty" to describe trivial problems or inconveniences. Reserve it for situations that genuinely pose significant challenges or obstacles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major difficulty" functions as a noun phrase, identifying a significant obstacle or problem. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts. The examples provided demonstrate its role in highlighting challenges across diverse fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "major difficulty" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase to denote a significant problem or obstacle. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and prevalence across diverse contexts, including science, news, and academia. When using this phrase, ensure the context emphasizes the scale and impact of the difficulty. While alternatives like "significant challenge" or "serious problem" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant challenge

Replaces "difficulty" with "challenge", emphasizing the demanding nature of the problem.

serious problem

Substitutes "difficulty" with "problem", highlighting the negative consequences of the situation.

key obstacle

Replaces "difficulty" with "obstacle", focusing on the hindering aspect of the issue.

primary hurdle

Uses "hurdle" instead of "difficulty", suggesting a barrier that needs to be overcome.

main impediment

Replaces "difficulty" with "impediment", emphasizing the obstructive nature of the issue.

chief complication

Substitutes "difficulty" with "complication", highlighting the complexity the issue adds.

principal setback

Replaces "difficulty" with "setback", emphasizing the hindrance to progress.

considerable struggle

Uses "struggle" instead of "difficulty", emphasizing the effort required to deal with it.

tough predicament

Replaces "major difficulty" with a more informal phrase indicating a troublesome situation.

notable hardship

Substitutes "difficulty" with "hardship", emphasizing the suffering or adversity caused.

FAQs

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

You can use "major difficulty" to describe a significant problem or challenge. For example: "The project's "significant challenge" was securing funding" or "A "serious problem" is the lack of skilled labor".

What are some alternatives to "major difficulty"?

Alternatives include "significant challenge", "serious problem", "key obstacle", "primary hurdle", or "main impediment", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "major difficulty" in formal writing?

Yes, "major difficulty" is suitable for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to describe a significant problem. However, consider the specific tone and audience to ensure it's the most effective choice.

What's the difference between "major difficulty" and "minor difficulty"?

"Major difficulty" refers to a problem that is substantial and has a significant impact, while "minor difficulty" indicates a smaller, less impactful issue. The choice depends on the scale and consequences of the problem.