not without difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

"not without difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was achieved with effort or struggle, as in: "Our team has achieved success, not without difficulty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 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

Although the suit was impressively successful, the flights were not without difficulty.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 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

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

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the specific type of difficulty encountered when choosing this phrase to ensure it accurately reflects the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "not without difficulty" in situations where the effort required is minimal or expected, as it can sound overly dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not without difficulty" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the manner in which an action was performed or a situation occurred. It highlights that something was achieved or experienced despite facing challenges, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

19%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not without difficulty" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that serves to emphasize the presence of challenges in achieving a particular outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is most frequently found in News & Media, Academia, and Science. To enhance your writing, use this phrase to add nuance and context when describing accomplishments that involved overcoming obstacles, but avoid overuse in simple contexts. Alternatives such as "with some trouble" or "with considerable effort" can provide similar meanings with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with some trouble

Emphasizes the presence of trouble during the process.

with considerable effort

Highlights the significant effort required.

after a struggle

Focuses on the struggle preceding the achievement.

not easily

Simplifies the expression to indicate a lack of ease.

with effort and perseverance

Highlights both effort and persistence.

against the odds

Indicates success despite unfavorable conditions.

despite challenges

Focuses on overcoming specific challenges.

after overcoming obstacles

Highlights the act of surpassing impediments.

with much ado

Suggests a lot of fuss or trouble.

with a degree of complexity

Emphasizes the complexity involved.

FAQs

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

You can use "not without difficulty" to describe a situation where something was achieved, but only after facing significant challenges. For example: "The project was completed, "not without difficulty"".

What are some alternatives to "not without difficulty"?

Alternatives include phrases like "with some trouble", "with considerable effort", or "after a struggle", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "not without difficulty" grammatically correct?

Yes, "not without difficulty" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to indicate that something was achieved despite challenges.

What's the difference between "not without difficulty" and "not easily"?

"Not without difficulty" implies a more significant struggle or series of challenges than "not easily", which simply suggests a lack of ease.