outstanding difficulties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outstanding difficulties" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe significant or notable challenges that need to be addressed or resolved. Example: "The team is currently facing outstanding difficulties in meeting the project deadline due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"We are clearly aware that there are still some outstanding difficulties and problems in China's economic and social life," he said.

The New York Times

Before entering the discussions, Mr McGuinness said: "We are going into these discussions with a view to finding a resolution to the outstanding difficulties and to ensure there is a workable budget for the Executive.

Independent

Although there is no direct evidence to refute this hypothesis, there remain several outstanding difficulties.

BioMed Research International

We discuss the outstanding difficulties in translating a rapidly growing body of data into knowledge usable at the bedside.

Genome Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

But there remained the outstanding difficulty of gravitation, which Einstein has overcome.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Through a systematic and consistent procedure of finding a set of parameters in the physiological range we overcome an outstanding difficulty in large scale kinetic modeling: the requirement for a massive number of enzymatic reaction parameters.

Chinese Journal of Biotechnology

Andrew Dominik's highly accomplished biopic on the life of Australian criminal, Mark "Chopper" Read, is an outstanding meditation on the difficulties of depicting historical truth in cinema.

The Guardian - Film

"The trusts we're rating good and outstanding don't have difficulty getting clinicians to step up to the plate to be clinical leaders.

Independent

NEW YORK TIMES   TARP Report Outlines Loan Risks  |  Christy Romero, the special inspector general for the Troubled Asset Relief Program, said in a report that small banks with about $15 billion in outstanding loans may have difficulty raising the money to repay the federal government.

The New York Times

In a postal survey sent from an emergency department to 380 GPs, 147 (39%) responders reported deficiencies in the discharge information and substantial difficulties in accessing outstanding investigation results [ 9].

Critical Care

The small matter of an outstanding Interpol warrant makes travelling a difficulty.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "outstanding difficulties", ensure the context clearly defines what makes these difficulties significant or unresolved. Provide specific examples or details to clarify the nature and scope of the problems.

Common error

Avoid using "outstanding difficulties" as a vague catch-all phrase. Always specify the exact nature of the problems to prevent ambiguity and ensure clarity for the audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outstanding difficulties" functions as a noun phrase, where "outstanding" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "difficulties". It typically identifies significant, unresolved problems or challenges. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

6%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outstanding difficulties" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote significant, unresolved problems. Ludwig confirms its validity and usability. While not exceptionally common, it appears in various contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedia articles. When employing this phrase, ensure you provide specific details about the nature of the difficulties to avoid vagueness. Consider related phrases like "unresolved challenges" or "remaining issues" for subtle variations in meaning. The term is best suited for neutral to professional communication, signaling unresolved issues that merit attention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unresolved challenges

Replaces "difficulties" with "challenges", implying a proactive approach to problem-solving.

unsettled problems

Substitutes "outstanding" with "unsettled", emphasizing the lack of resolution.

remaining issues

Uses "issues" instead of "difficulties", softening the negative connotation.

lingering obstacles

Replaces both words with synonyms, conveying a sense of persistence.

persistent troubles

Uses stronger synonyms, highlighting the ongoing and troublesome nature of the problems.

pending complications

Highlights the potential for future issues arising from the unresolved difficulties.

unaddressed concerns

Focuses on the lack of attention given to the difficulties.

existing predicaments

Emphasizes the challenging or difficult situation created by these unresolved issues.

major setbacks

Describes the difficulties as significant hindrances to progress.

formidable hurdles

Portrays the difficulties as significant obstacles requiring considerable effort to overcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "outstanding difficulties" to refer to unresolved problems or challenges that need attention. For example, "The project faces "outstanding difficulties" in securing funding."

What are some alternatives to "outstanding difficulties"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "unresolved challenges", "remaining issues", or "lingering obstacles".

Is it more appropriate to say "outstanding issues" or "outstanding difficulties"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "outstanding difficulties" implies a greater level of complexity or severity compared to "outstanding issues". Choose the phrase that best reflects the nature of the problem.

What is the difference between "outstanding difficulties" and "formidable hurdles"?

"Outstanding difficulties" refers to problems that have not yet been resolved, while "formidable hurdles" emphasizes the challenging nature of the obstacles that must be overcome. The latter suggests a need for significant effort.