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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
owing to difficulties
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "owing to difficulties" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to explain the reason for a situation or action that is caused by challenges or obstacles. Example: "The event was postponed owing to difficulties in securing a venue."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Wiki
Encyclopedias
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
36 human-written examples
Revenues fell 2% to £3.28bn during 2014, owing to difficulties at its dealers operation, which sells phones to businesses through independent traders.
News & Media
For more than a decade after the war, PTFE saw little commercial use, owing to difficulties encountered in devising methods for processing the slippery, high-melting material.
Encyclopedias
However, empirical data as to the topography of fitness landscapes are limited, owing to difficulties in measuring fitness for large numbers of genotypes under any condition.
Science
Interestingly, despite the pre-deal consensus, an interviewer now regrets the deal, telling us that "we should not have acquired [SmallEnergy]" owing to difficulties in generating value from its resources.
The most widely used inert materials are uncharged PEG-based polymers [39, 40] and self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) [41 43], but the latter is incompatible with the NIL process owing to difficulties in direct imprinting.
Science
On 17 January, Ingenohl ordered Helgoland to go back to the docks for more maintenance, but she did not enter the drydock until three days later, owing to difficulties getting through the canal locks.
Wiki
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
24 human-written examples
The discrepancy may be owing to difficulty in determining the distal limit of the PDC deposits.
Science
Bracing has been an acceptable option for humeral shaft fractures; however, in the distal third of the humerus in adults it can cause problems owing to difficulty in controlling angulation.
However, direct sequencing is not amenable to detecting deletions of entire exons, owing to difficulty in interpreting results as well as the low sensitivity of this approach.
Science
The projected sample size was changed from approximately 3900 patients to at least 800 patients in May 2011 owing to difficulty finding sites and physicians who were willing to take part.
Science
This may be owed to difficulty of the cells in securing vascular accesses to the target site because of a lack of blood vessels at the buccinators, while systemic MSC homing occurs more readily through the bloodstream [35].
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "owing to difficulties", ensure that the difficulties are clearly defined or understood by the reader to avoid ambiguity. Providing specific examples of the difficulties enhances clarity and strengthens your explanation.
Common error
While grammatically correct, "owing to difficulties" can sound overly formal in casual settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "because of problems" or "due to issues" to maintain a natural tone in less formal communication.
Source & Trust
80%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "owing to difficulties" functions as an adverbial phrase or causal connector, indicating the reason or cause for a particular situation or outcome. It introduces an explanation for why something happened.
Frequent in
Science
68%
News & Media
19%
Wiki
6%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
3%
Formal & Business
3%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "owing to difficulties" functions as a formal causal connector, used to explain situations arising from specific problems or challenges. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for formal contexts such as scientific publications, news reports, and professional documents. While versatile, it should be used judiciously in informal settings where simpler alternatives like "due to problems" may be more fitting. Common authoritative sources include the British Medical Journal and The Guardian, underscoring its usage in credible and reputable publications. Remember to clearly define the "difficulties" to enhance clarity and impact in your writing.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
due to challenges
Replaces "owing to" with "due to", a common synonym, and "difficulties" with "challenges", softening the tone slightly.
because of problems
Uses "because of" instead of "owing to", making it more direct, and replaces "difficulties" with "problems", which is more general.
as a result of complications
More formal; "as a result of" replaces "owing to" and "complications" highlights a more complex issue than simple difficulties.
attributable to obstacles
Employs a more formal and academic tone, suggesting a causal relationship linked to specific obstacles.
stemming from setbacks
Suggests that the situation arises from specific setbacks or regressions.
on account of issues
Uses "on account of" which is slightly more formal than "because of", and replaces "difficulties" with the broader term "issues".
arising from impediments
More formal and emphasizes the hindrances or blocks causing the situation.
caused by hurdles
Replaces "difficulties" with "hurdles", implying challenges that need to be overcome.
given the constraints
Shifts the focus to limitations or restrictions affecting the situation.
precipitated by hitches
Highlights unexpected or sudden interruptions causing the issue.
FAQs
How can I use "owing to difficulties" in a sentence?
Use "owing to difficulties" to introduce the reason for a problem or situation. For instance, "The project was delayed "owing to difficulties" in securing funding".
What are some alternatives to "owing to difficulties"?
You can use alternatives like "due to challenges", "because of problems", or "as a result of complications" depending on the context and formality you want to convey.
Is "owing to difficulties" interchangeable with "due to difficulties"?
Yes, ""owing to difficulties"" and "due to difficulties" are often interchangeable. However, "owing to" might be perceived as slightly more formal.
When is it best to use "owing to difficulties" over other similar phrases?
Use ""owing to difficulties"" when you want to convey a formal and somewhat detached tone while explaining a situation caused by specific problems. It is suitable for academic, professional, or formal news contexts.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
80%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested