matter of difficulties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "matter of difficulties" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used when discussing a situation that involves various challenges or obstacles, but it would be clearer to use a more standard expression. Example: "In this matter of difficulties, we must find a solution that addresses all the challenges we face."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

There could be a psychological element, too, rooted in the motives for devoting oneself to a documentary subject for years, and the extraordinary duration of production (and pre-production, and post-production, and distribution — in which filmmakers themselves are increasingly involved) is also a matter of difficulties in finding financing.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Deciding which norms should be counted as human rights is a matter of considerable difficulty.

SEP

Its proper interpretation has been a matter of some difficulty from the time of his death in 1274.

SEP

It is indeed a matter of great difficulty to discover [cognoscere], and effectually to distinguish [actu discriminare], the true motions of particular bodies from the apparent; because the parts of that immovable space, in which those motions are performed, do by no means come under the observation of our senses [incurrent in sensus].

SEP

He also received some of his father's lands, but since he was not the family heir it was a matter of some difficulty to find a suitable estate for his intended peerage.

Wikipedia

This, together with a high shear modulus and a very low figure for Poisson's ratio (the relationship of longitudinal to lateral strain), indicate the high degree of stiffness and resistance to deformation that have rendered its fabrication into useful components a matter of great difficulty.

Wikipedia

For most street children, not attending school was a matter of financial difficulty; it was not a matter of not wanting to go to school.

Unicef

The effort to link biochemical pathways and molecular interactions to the behavior of whole cells and to infer causality from statistical correlation in large data sets in photo-chemotherapy is a matter of considerable difficulty, and to account for all biological variation is a very challenging goal.

BMC Medical Genomics

Casualties were numerous and the removal of wounded was a matter of the greatest difficulty.

The Guardian

He viewed sculpture, he said, as a matter of "time-consuming difficulty," with which stone obliged.

The New York Times - Arts

The fungus's major concern is to spread its spores, a matter of some technical difficulty for an organism that lives underground.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "matter of difficulties" when you want to emphasize that the situation encompasses a range of different challenges and problems.

Common error

Avoid using "matter of difficulties" in informal contexts. It can sound stilted and unnatural in casual conversation or writing. Opt for simpler, more direct language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "matter of difficulties" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or an object in a sentence. It describes a situation or subject under consideration that involves multiple challenges or problems. Ludwig AI notes that while grammatically correct, simpler alternatives might be preferred.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Encyclopedias

8%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "matter of difficulties" is used to describe a situation involving multiple challenges. Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically correct but not frequently used in contemporary English, suggesting simpler alternatives may be preferred. Analysis reveals that the phrase functions as a noun phrase and is most appropriate in neutral to formal contexts. While examples appear across various source types, its frequency is low, so consider more common alternatives such as "challenging situation" for improved clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

problematic issue

Replaces "matter" with "issue" and "difficulties" with "problematic", focusing on the problematic nature of the subject.

challenging situation

Substitutes "matter" with "situation" and "difficulties" with "challenging", emphasizing the demanding nature of the circumstances.

troublesome affair

Uses "affair" instead of "matter" and "troublesome" in place of "difficulties", highlighting the inconvenience or annoyance associated with the subject.

complex predicament

Replaces "matter" with "predicament" and "difficulties" with "complex", emphasizing the intricate and complicated nature of the problem.

thorny question

Substitutes "matter" with "question" and "difficulties" with "thorny", highlighting the sensitivity and potential for conflict surrounding the issue.

vexing concern

Uses "concern" instead of "matter" and "vexing" in place of "difficulties", emphasizing the worry or frustration associated with the subject.

difficult circumstances

Focuses on the external conditions that are causing problems, removing "matter of".

hardship

Simplifies the phrase to a single word capturing the essence of difficulty and struggle.

complexities involved

Highlights the intricacies and complications present in a situation, avoiding "matter of".

problem at hand

Replaces the formal "matter of difficulties" with a more direct reference to an existing issue.

FAQs

How can I use "matter of difficulties" in a sentence?

You can use "matter of difficulties" to describe a situation involving multiple challenges. For example, "Navigating the legal landscape was a "matter of difficulties", requiring expert guidance at every turn."

What are some alternatives to "matter of difficulties"?

Alternatives include "challenging situation", "complex issue", or "problematic area". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "matter of difficulties" a common phrase in English?

While grammatically correct, "matter of difficulties" is not a commonly used phrase. More direct and simpler alternatives are often preferred in contemporary English.

In what contexts is "matter of difficulties" most appropriate?

The phrase is most appropriate in formal or academic writing where a nuanced description of a situation involving multiple challenges is required. However, simpler alternatives may often be more effective.