of considerable difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of considerable difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task, problem, or situation that is notably challenging or hard to accomplish. Example: "The exam was of considerable difficulty, leaving many students feeling anxious about their performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

General Writing

Academic

News

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

It was a solution of considerable difficulty.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The task which the author of this work has essayed is one of considerable difficulty.

Nature

If the language becomes popular, it becomes important to write compilers for it, although this may be a task of considerable difficulty.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Bela Bartok alone composed a whole catalog of teaching pieces including six volumes of "Mikrokosmos," which begin with simple five-finger exercises and progress to works of considerable difficulty.

The New York Times - Arts

The problem for Labour, however, is that in its northern heartlands, it is the Conservatives rather than Miliband et al who appear to have won the 'fairness' battle when it comes to welfare, leaving the opposition in a state of considerable difficulty.

The Guardian

This paper discusses the extent to which both crosslinguistic and intralingual differences may be considered as factors causing errors committed by Malay learners in the acquisition of the present perfect which has been identified as an area of considerable difficulty in the learning of English grammar.

System

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Despite the many problems, it should be emphasized that all the Middle Eastern states built modern educational systems in the face of considerable difficulties.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Both demonstration sites had substantial achievements over their first thirteen months, against a background of considerable difficulties.

Behaviour Research and Therapy

Operationally, the design of the cargo holds led to considerable difficulty for the ground crew, especially baggage handlers at the airports.

Wikipedia

It said that British citizens are "unnecessarily exposed to greater risk" because of the "considerable" difficulty UK intelligence agencies have in accessing online communications from US providers such as Apple, Facebook, Google, Twitter, BlackBerry, Yahoo and Microsoft.

Vice

The prevention of the free passage of trading ships led to considerable difficulties among the neutral nations, particularly with the United States, whose trading interests were hampered by British policy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "of considerable difficulty" to convey the significant challenge posed by a task or situation. It's suitable for formal writing and adds emphasis.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "of considerable difficulty" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "very hard" or "quite challenging" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of considerable difficulty" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes the degree of challenge or complexity associated with that noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to indicate something is notably challenging.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

26%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "of considerable difficulty" is a grammatically correct and commonly used way to describe tasks, problems, or situations that present a significant challenge. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Analysis of various sources reveals that it is most frequently used in scientific, news, and encyclopedia contexts, suggesting a formal or neutral register. While it's a valid and useful phrase, remember to consider your audience and context, opting for simpler alternatives like "very difficult" in more informal settings. Alternatives like "highly challenging" or "quite problematic" can offer subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly challenging

Emphasizes the level of challenge involved.

notably challenging

Highlights the significant degree of difficulty.

remarkably arduous

Uses a more formal and intense word to describe the difficulty.

exceptionally tough

Uses a simpler word to convey the intensity of the difficulty.

quite problematic

Focuses on the problematic nature of the situation.

poses significant issues

Highlights the issues that arise from the difficulty.

presents a steep learning curve

Specifically refers to difficulty in learning something.

requires substantial effort

Shifts the focus to the amount of effort required.

involves intricate details

Emphasizes the complexity and the details that create the difficulty.

demands meticulous attention

Highlights the need for careful and precise attention.

FAQs

How can I use "of considerable difficulty" in a sentence?

You can use "of considerable difficulty" to describe tasks or situations that are notably challenging. For example: "The project proved to be of considerable difficulty" or "Solving the equation was of considerable difficulty".

What are some alternatives to "of considerable difficulty"?

Alternatives include "highly challenging", "very difficult", or "remarkably arduous" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "of considerable difficulty" or "very difficult"?

"Of considerable difficulty" is more formal and emphatic, suitable for academic or professional contexts. "Very difficult" is a simpler, more common phrase suitable for everyday conversation. The choice depends on the desired tone and audience.

Can "of considerable difficulty" be used to describe a person?

While grammatically possible, it's more common to describe a task or situation as "of considerable difficulty". To describe a person, it's better to say they are "experiencing considerable difficulty" or are "in considerable difficulty".