ongoing difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

"ongoing difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that continues to be a challenge or hard to manage. For example, "we have been facing ongoing difficulty in finding qualified applicants for the job".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

An ongoing difficulty is the flow of illegal immigrants from Albania.

Britannica

Later, at a press conference, he acknowledged the O.P.C.W.'s ongoing difficulty with enforcing the convention in Syria.

The New Yorker

It reflects the ongoing difficulty we have with people who don't understand the nature of the energy system.

The New York Times

There is an ongoing difficulty that, while huge amounts of clothing have been collected, the one thing that people don't donate secondhand is underwear, especially thermals.

The Guardian

The ongoing difficulty in educating and sustaining an adequate nursing workforce in mental health settings has been identified throughout the world.

Nurse Education Today

The company lowered its guidance on produced coal shipments for 2011 "due to ongoing difficulty of operating certain mines under new regulatory requirements".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Ongoing difficulties in social and cultural adjustment may be accompanied by anxiety or depression.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The variation in findings may reflect ongoing difficulties surrounding the conceptualisation and measurement of informal social support.

European Journal of Pain

By Leo Robson August 1, 2016 Logan Lerman and Sarah Gadon in "Indignation," a film adaptation that demonstrates the ongoing difficulties of putting Philip Roth's work onscreen.

The New Yorker

Rob Dobson, a senior economist at Markit, described the UK's manufacturing sector as in a state of "near stagnation" after the ongoing difficulties faced by exporters were mirrored in the domestic market.

The Guardian - Business

Cutting prices and hiring more store staff has so far failed to offset the impact of the horsemeat scandal, together with tough competition from discount stores such as Aldi and ongoing difficulties with Tesco's non-food ranges.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ongoing difficulty", clearly define the specific problem or area where the difficulty exists to provide context for your reader. For example, instead of just saying 'The project faced ongoing difficulty', specify: 'The project faced ongoing difficulty in securing funding'.

Common error

Avoid vague statements using "ongoing difficulty". Instead of saying 'The company experienced ongoing difficulty', specify the nature of the difficulty: 'The company experienced ongoing difficulty with supply chain logistics due to recent geopolitical events'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ongoing difficulty" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence or clause. It describes a problem or challenge that is continuous or persistent. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

31%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ongoing difficulty" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for describing persistent challenges or problems. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is correct to use in written English. It appears commonly across various contexts like news, science, and encyclopedias, making it a versatile choice. While alternatives like "persistent challenge" or "continuing struggle" exist, the key is to provide specific details about the nature of the difficulty for clarity. Using "ongoing difficulty" effectively involves avoiding vagueness and ensuring the context is well-defined.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

persistent challenge

Replaces 'difficulty' with 'challenge', emphasizing the demanding nature of the situation and the persistence of the issue.

continuing struggle

Uses 'struggle' instead of 'difficulty' to suggest a more active and effortful engagement with the problem.

unresolved problem

Focuses on the lack of resolution as the central aspect of the difficulty.

lingering issue

Highlights the prolonged existence of the problem, suggesting it remains present over time.

chronic impediment

Emphasizes the long-term and obstructive nature of the difficulty, using a more formal tone.

protracted setback

Uses 'setback' to highlight the hindrance caused by the difficulty and 'protracted' to indicate its extended duration.

enduring hardship

Highlights the sustained nature of the difficulty and its impact, suggesting suffering or privation.

recurrent obstacle

Focuses on the repeated nature of the difficulty, indicating it arises multiple times.

unabating crisis

Emphasizes the severity and continuous intensity of the difficulty, portraying it as a critical situation that does not diminish.

sustained adversity

Uses 'adversity' to emphasize the unfavorable or challenging conditions, and 'sustained' to indicate its prolonged duration.

FAQs

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

You can use "ongoing difficulty" to describe a persistent challenge or problem. For example, "The company is facing "ongoing difficulty" in recruiting skilled workers."

What are some alternatives to "ongoing difficulty"?

Alternatives to "ongoing difficulty" include "persistent challenge", "continuing struggle", or "unresolved problem".

Is there a difference between "ongoing difficulty" and "current difficulty"?

"Ongoing difficulty" implies a problem that has persisted for some time, while "current difficulty" simply indicates a problem that exists now, without necessarily implying a long duration.

Which is more formal, "ongoing difficulty" or "continuing struggle"?

"Ongoing difficulty" tends to be more neutral and suitable for formal contexts, while "continuing struggle" can imply a more active and effortful engagement with a problem, making it slightly less formal.