much difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "much difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that requires a lot of effort to accomplish or to describe a difficult situation. Example: "Even though I had practice, I had much difficulty playing the new piece of music."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But how long, and how much difficulty?

The New York Times

I can read without too much difficulty.

The Guardian - Books

Those reasons can be explained without too much difficulty.

The Guardian

I can recall entire sequences without much difficulty.

The New Yorker

She was willing to make tough calls without much difficulty".

The New York Times - Science

There is not much difficulty in knowing what feels worthwhile.

The New York Times

The Telegraph online It is astonishing that such humble proposals caused that much difficulty.

The Guardian

And if things worsen, cuts can be made without too much difficulty.

The New York Times

"The economy is not in as much difficulty as in previous crisis".

The New York Times

But we believe that gays can live with such exemptions without much difficulty.

The New York Times

Be grateful if you are able to pay them without too much difficulty.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific instance of hardship, pair "much difficulty" with a clear explanation of the source or cause of the difficulty. For instance, "He faced "much difficulty" adapting to the new work environment due to the language barrier."

Common error

Ensure the context makes it clear what is causing the "much difficulty". Avoid statements like "They experienced "much difficulty"" without specifying what they struggled with.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "much difficulty" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or following a preposition. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, as demonstrated by the numerous examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "much difficulty" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase to indicate a considerable challenge or obstacle. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from reliable sources. While versatile, ensure the context clearly explains what causes the difficulty. Alternatives such as "considerable difficulty" or "great struggle" can add nuance. This phrase appears frequently in News & Media and scientific writing, maintaining a neutral tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable difficulty

Replaces "much" with "considerable", emphasizing the extent of the difficulty.

significant challenge

Substitutes "difficulty" with "challenge", shifting the focus to the demanding nature of the situation.

great struggle

Replaces "difficulty" with "struggle", highlighting the effort and resistance involved.

substantial hardship

Replaces "difficulty" with "hardship", emphasizing the adverse conditions experienced.

extreme adversity

Substitutes "difficulty" with "adversity", conveying a sense of severe misfortune or challenge.

intense complexity

Replaces "difficulty" with "complexity", focusing on the intricate and involved nature of the situation.

major impediment

Substitutes "difficulty" with "impediment", highlighting an obstacle or hindrance.

notable complication

Replaces "difficulty" with "complication", emphasizing the problematic or intricate aspect.

serious problem

Substitutes "difficulty" with "problem", presenting the situation as a significant issue.

tough time

Replaces "much difficulty" with "tough time", using a more informal expression.

FAQs

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

You can use "much difficulty" to describe a situation or task that involves considerable effort or challenge. For example, "She had "much difficulty" understanding the complex instructions."

What are some alternatives to saying "much difficulty"?

Alternatives include "considerable difficulty", "great struggle", or "significant challenge" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "great difficulty" or "much difficulty"?

Both "great difficulty" and "much difficulty" are acceptable. "Great difficulty" might sound slightly more formal, while "much difficulty" is more common in everyday speech.

What's the difference between "difficulty" and "hardship"?

"Difficulty" refers to something that is hard to do or understand, while "hardship" implies suffering or adversity. While they can sometimes be used interchangeably, "hardship" carries a stronger connotation of distress.