met with difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

"met with difficulty" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is usually used to describe a challenging or troublesome situation that someone has encountered. For example: - The group's plan for the project was met with difficulty due to budget constraints. - Despite several attempts, she was met with difficulty in finding a job in her field. - The hiker's journey through the mountains was met with difficulty as the trail was overgrown and difficult to navigate. - The negotiations between the two countries were met with difficulty as neither side was willing to compromise. - The chef's newest recipe was met with difficulty by the picky eaters at the restaurant.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

However, vaccines have historically been developed empirically, and recent development of vaccines against current pandemics such as HIV and malaria has been met with difficulty.

Vaccine

Tells how Carter has met with difficulty in getting approval for his appointments of Theodore Sorensen as head of the CIA and of Griffin Bell as Attorney General.

The New Yorker

Reforestation often was successful on more accessible, privately owned lands in the coastal ranges, but such efforts frequently met with difficulty in areas (often public lands) with poorer soils and steeper, more rugged terrain.

Britannica

Efforts to grow working teeth, however, have met with difficulty.

Science Magazine

He told me that scientific attempts to study this phenomenon in the past have been met with difficulty.

Huffington Post

Retraining in the CWFF was also met with difficulty.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The Ridgefield recycling center has also met with difficulties.

The New York Times

The introduction of the new Aristotle met with difficulties at the University of Paris.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Further, vaccine design and diagnosis technology have met with difficulties in sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility.

International Journal for Parasitology

It will provide inspiration for "further inquiry" and presents many more examples where the creationist is met with "difficulties".

Evolution: Education and Outreach

10 years later, while conserving Huashan Pictographs in Ningming, Guangxi Autonomy under the leadership of China National Academy for Cultural Heritage, conservators met with difficulties in restoring cracked and delaminated lime stones.

Heritage Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "met with difficulty", ensure the subject clearly identifies who or what encountered the challenges. For example, "The project was met with difficulty due to funding shortages."

Common error

Avoid using "met with difficulty" without specifying the cause of the difficulty. For example, instead of saying "The plan met with difficulty", clarify with "The plan met with difficulty because of unforeseen regulatory hurdles."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "met with difficulty" functions as a predicate in a sentence, typically describing the experience of a subject encountering obstacles or challenges. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "met with difficulty" is a grammatically sound way to describe encountering challenges, though Ludwig AI indicates it's not overly common. Predominantly found in scientific, news, and encyclopedia contexts, its neutral register makes it suitable for various writing styles. Consider alternatives like "faced challenges" or "encountered obstacles" for a more direct tone. When using "met with difficulty", specify the cause of the challenges for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

faced challenges

This alternative uses a more direct and common way to express that obstacles were encountered.

encountered obstacles

Replaces "difficulty" with "obstacles", maintaining the same meaning but with slightly different wording.

struggled with

Indicates a sustained effort against difficulty, implying a more prolonged challenge.

had trouble with

A more informal way to express difficulty in accomplishing something.

experienced setbacks

Focuses on the negative impact of the difficulties encountered.

ran into problems

Suggests unexpected difficulties that arose during a process.

was hampered by

Highlights the hindering effect of the difficulties on progress.

was challenged by

Emphasizes the demanding nature of the situation due to the difficulties.

confronted issues

This alternative is slightly more formal and emphasizes the act of facing the challenges.

dealt with adversity

Presents a more dramatic framing of facing significant difficulties.

FAQs

How can I use "met with difficulty" in a sentence?

Use "met with difficulty" to describe situations where something or someone faced challenges or obstacles. For example, "The implementation of the new policy "met with difficulty" due to lack of resources".

What are some alternatives to "met with difficulty"?

You can use alternatives such as "faced challenges", "encountered obstacles", or "struggled with" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "met with difficulty" or "faced difficulties"?

Both "met with difficulty" and "faced difficulties" are correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific nuance you want to convey. However, "faced difficulties" might sound slightly more direct.

What does it mean when something "meets with difficulty"?

It means that the subject in question experienced challenges, obstacles, or problems while trying to achieve a particular goal or during a specific process. It suggests that the path to success was not smooth or easy.