obvious difficulties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obvious difficulties" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to refer to challenges or obstacles that are evident or easy to recognize. Example: Despite the obvious difficulties of starting a new business during a recession, the entrepreneur pushed through and eventually found success.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

This poses obvious difficulties for a reporter.

The Guardian - Books

But carding the animated avatars that enter poses obvious difficulties.

The New York Times

"As a subject for the sound medium, chess has obvious difficulties".

The Guardian

But there are some obvious difficulties in looking for guidance about Iraq in Ellsberg's Vietnam narrative.

The New Yorker

The impulse to overlook obvious difficulties to commercial development is endemic to scientific research.

The New Yorker

Such a view has obvious difficulties, for it would make creation eternal, because the selves and Matter are eternally copresent.

Encyclopedia Britannica

ONE of the obvious difficulties with lead times in the magazine industry is the way events can overtake stories.

The Economist

"There are obvious difficulties right now, but we want to be in a position to move quickly when the time is right for the Legislature".

The New York Times

There are obvious difficulties of scale, and also of taste, for a piece of history that feels, to many people, uncomfortably raw.

The Guardian

Lord Justice Rix said there were "obvious difficulties" in accepting Gashi as a credible witness because he had lied to police in his statement.

The Guardian

Against such optimistic speculations we must set the obvious difficulties inherent in a deal open to very different interpretations by those who have set their hand to it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "obvious difficulties", ensure the context clearly establishes what makes the difficulties apparent to the audience. Providing brief clarifying details can strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "obvious difficulties" when the challenges are not genuinely evident to everyone. Instead, provide specific details to illustrate the challenges, making them clear rather than assuming they are already understood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obvious difficulties" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "obvious" modifies the noun "difficulties". It is used to identify and categorize specific problems or challenges that are easily recognized. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

42%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "obvious difficulties" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to highlight readily apparent challenges across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedic sources. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, its specific usage can vary depending on the formality of the source. When writing, it is important to ensure the difficulties are genuinely evident to the audience, avoiding redundancy by providing sufficient context when needed. Considering related phrases like "clear challenges" or "evident problems" can also enhance clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clear challenges

Emphasizes the straightforward and easily perceived nature of the challenges involved, similar to "obvious difficulties".

evident problems

Highlights the readily apparent issues or problems at hand, closely mirroring the meaning of "obvious difficulties".

plain obstacles

Stresses the straightforward and easily identifiable nature of the obstacles, akin to "obvious difficulties".

apparent hurdles

Focuses on the easily seen or understood barriers, sharing a similar connotation with "obvious difficulties".

patent complications

Highlights the readily noticeable and evident nature of the complications involved, much like "obvious difficulties".

unmistakable predicaments

Emphasizes the undeniable and easily recognizable nature of difficult situations, similar to "obvious difficulties".

manifest issues

Highlights the readily apparent and evident issues, conveying a similar meaning to "obvious difficulties".

noticeable setbacks

Focuses on the easily observed and noticeable nature of setbacks, akin to "obvious difficulties".

distinct disadvantages

Highlights the clear and easily identifiable disadvantages, sharing a similar sense with "obvious difficulties".

self-evident struggles

Stresses the self-explanatory and easily understood nature of the struggles, conveying a similar meaning to "obvious difficulties".

FAQs

How can I use "obvious difficulties" in a sentence?

You can use "obvious difficulties" to point out challenges that are easily seen or understood. For instance, "Despite the "obvious difficulties", the team persevered".

What are some alternatives to "obvious difficulties"?

Alternatives include "clear challenges", "evident problems", or "apparent hurdles", depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "very obvious difficulties"?

While not strictly incorrect, "very obvious difficulties" can be redundant because "obvious" already implies a high degree of clarity. Consider using just ""obvious difficulties"" or choosing a stronger synonym if emphasis is needed.

What is the difference between "obvious difficulties" and "hidden difficulties"?

"Obvious difficulties" refers to challenges that are easily seen or understood, while "hidden difficulties" implies challenges that are not immediately apparent and require investigation to uncover. They are contrasting concepts.