not without difficulties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not without difficulties" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has challenges or obstacles, but those challenges do not prevent progress or success. Example: "The project was completed, not without difficulties, but the team learned valuable lessons along the way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Not without difficulties.

The New Yorker

But it is not without difficulties.

The Economist

The meeting was not without difficulties.

The New York Times - Sports

The programs are not without difficulties, though.

The New York Times - Travel

Mr. Moseley's tenure was not without difficulties.

The New York Times - Arts

Not always successfully, of course, and not without difficulties.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Their first days were not without difficulty.

The New York Times

Detailing Mogilevich's past is not without difficulty.

The Guardian

Davis's rise within Scientology was not without difficulty.

The New Yorker

Djokovic did so 6 points later, though not without difficulty.

The New York Times

The Army has managed to meet its goals each year since 2006, but not without difficulty.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not without difficulties" to acknowledge challenges without overshadowing the overall success or achievement. It adds nuance and credibility to your writing by showing awareness of potential obstacles.

Common error

While "not without difficulties" is a valid expression, avoid using it excessively in a single piece of writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and detract from the impact of the statement. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms or rephrasing the sentence to convey the same meaning in a more engaging way.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not without difficulties" functions as an adverbial modifier, adding information about the manner in which an action was performed or a situation unfolded. Ludwig AI shows that it qualifies a statement, indicating that something was achieved or experienced despite the presence of challenges.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not without difficulties" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to acknowledge challenges while emphasizing a successful outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for a variety of contexts, including news, science, and academic writing. While versatile, avoid overuse and consider alternatives like "not without challenges" or "with some difficulty" to maintain variety in your writing. By using this phrase judiciously, you can add nuance and credibility to your statements, acknowledging potential obstacles without overshadowing the overall achievement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not without challenges

Replaces "difficulties" with "challenges", focusing on the demanding nature of the situation.

not without obstacles

Substitutes "difficulties" with "obstacles", emphasizing the barriers that needed to be overcome.

not without complications

Replaces "difficulties" with "complications", highlighting the complex and intricate issues involved.

not without setbacks

Focuses on temporary failures or delays encountered during the process.

not without hardships

Emphasizes the difficult or adverse conditions experienced.

not without struggles

Highlights the effort and exertion required to overcome the challenges.

not without a hitch

Indicates that minor problems or disruptions occurred.

not without problems

A more general phrase indicating the presence of issues.

with some difficulty

Rephrases the original to emphasize that difficulty was present during the achievement

it wasn't easy

A more casual and straightforward way of expressing that something was difficult.

FAQs

How can I use "not without difficulties" in a sentence?

Use "not without difficulties" to acknowledge that a task or achievement involved challenges, but that these challenges did not prevent success. For example, "The project was completed, "not without difficulties", and the team learned valuable lessons."

What are some alternatives to "not without difficulties"?

You can use alternatives like "not without challenges", "not without obstacles", or "with some difficulty" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "not without difficulty" or "not without difficulties"?

While both are grammatically correct, "not without difficulties" is more common. "Not without difficulty" emphasizes the general presence of difficulty, whereas "not without difficulties" highlights specific instances or types of challenges.

What does "not without difficulties" imply about the outcome?

It implies that despite the presence of problems and challenges, a positive or successful outcome was still achieved. It suggests resilience and the ability to overcome obstacles.