outstanding difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outstanding difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or exceptional level of challenge or trouble in a particular situation. Example: "The team faced outstanding difficulty in meeting the project deadline due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 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

In his 90-minute oration to 3,000-odd 3,000-odd in Beijing's Great Hall of the People at the start of the legislature's annual two-week session, he at least acknowledelegates there were "outstanding difficulties and proBeijingwhich his successor (almost certainly Wen Jiabao, now a deputy prime minister) would face.In this section A budget for votes, not reform A timely arrest If war comes.

The Economist

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

"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

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

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "outstanding difficulty" when you want to emphasize that a problem is particularly significant or exceptional in its challenge. It conveys a sense of magnitude beyond a simple "difficulty".

Common error

Avoid using multiple intensifiers with "difficulty". Phrases like "extremely outstanding difficulty" are redundant. Choose either "outstanding difficulty" or a different, stronger term to convey the severity of the problem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outstanding difficulty" functions as a noun phrase where "outstanding" is an adjective modifying the noun "difficulty". It describes the nature or quality of the difficulty, indicating its significance.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outstanding difficulty" is a valid and usable phrase to emphasize a significant or exceptional challenge. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and appropriate for both neutral and formal contexts. It is most frequently found in scientific, news media, and encyclopedia sources. While not extremely common, it provides a precise way to describe a problem that is notably challenging. When writing, be sure not to overuse intensifiers with the phrase and consider alternatives like "significant challenge" or "major obstacle" to enhance clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant challenge

Replaces "outstanding" with "significant", focusing on the importance of the challenge.

major obstacle

Emphasizes the hindering aspect of the difficulty, portraying it as a barrier.

formidable problem

Highlights the intimidating nature of the difficulty.

serious impediment

Focuses on the restrictive aspect of the difficulty.

considerable hurdle

Illustrates the difficulty as something that needs to be overcome.

notable complication

Draws attention to the intricacy and complexity added by the difficulty.

substantial setback

Emphasizes the negative impact and delay caused by the difficulty.

principal adversity

Highlights the main opposing force or challenge.

chief struggle

Focuses on the effort and hardship involved in dealing with the difficulty.

critical issue

Underscores the importance and urgency of addressing the difficulty.

FAQs

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

You can use "outstanding difficulty" to describe a particularly challenging problem. For example, "The project faced an "outstanding difficulty" due to unforeseen technical issues."

What are some alternatives to "outstanding difficulty"?

Alternatives include "significant challenge", "major obstacle", or "formidable problem". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "outstanding difficulty" formal or informal?

"Outstanding difficulty" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts. It is appropriate for professional writing, academic papers, and news reports.

What makes a difficulty "outstanding"?

A difficulty is "outstanding" when it is particularly significant, exceptional, or challenging compared to typical difficulties. It suggests a problem that requires considerable effort and attention to overcome.