personal difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "personal difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe challenges or struggles that an individual faces in their personal life, whether emotional, financial, or otherwise. Example: "She decided to take a break from work due to her ongoing personal difficulty with mental health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

He added: "There was an element of personal difficulty between the key personalities as well, that's quite shocking in a way.

The Guardian

And the discomfort level could rise again should Ms. Stewart find herself in some other kind of personal difficulty.

The New York Times

Moreover, as memoirs and biographies have shown, the great children's works have often been the products of personal difficulty and stress, a narrative distillation of anguished experience.

The New York Times - Books

This was more than a personal difficulty, for enemies in the Nation of Islam used it to humiliate him in public.

The Guardian

Left-wing voters appear to consider his arrest a personal difficulty, not a party matter, and have swung behind the alternatives.

The Economist

It was at a time of personal difficulty, during "my separation from my wife, Luisa, when I came back to England so as not to be near her while she was slowly distancing herself from me".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Emotional support concerns the possibility of discussing personal difficulties with another person.

BMC Endocrine Disorders

Both encountered Ecstasy while facing personal difficulties.

The New York Times - Magazine

Perhaps he drew on personal difficulties.

The Guardian - Books

These personal difficulties were matched by political problems.

The Guardian - Opinion

Apart from his personal difficulties, he was angry about the industry's insistence on sympathetic characters.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "personal difficulty", consider the context to ensure it accurately reflects the nature and severity of the situation. Be mindful of the audience and avoid using the phrase in overly casual or insensitive contexts.

Common error

While "personal difficulty" is generally acceptable, overuse can make writing sound repetitive. Use synonyms like "individual challenge" or "private struggle" to add variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "personal difficulty" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence or clause, describing a challenging situation or problem experienced by an individual. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, which show it being used to describe various hardships.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Books

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "personal difficulty" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase that describes a challenging situation faced by an individual. Ludwig's analysis and examples show that it is most frequently used in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, maintaining a neutral register. While versatile, it's important to be mindful of the audience and context to ensure appropriate usage and consider alternative phrases for greater variety. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

individual challenge

Focuses on the aspect of overcoming a problem.

private struggle

Emphasizes the hidden and intimate nature of the problem.

personal hardship

Highlights the severity and burden of the difficulty.

personal crisis

Suggests a turning point or a moment of instability.

difficult personal situation

More descriptive and less direct than "personal difficulty".

personal setback

Implies a temporary impediment to progress.

private adversity

More formal and emphasizes the misfortune.

personal misfortune

Focuses on bad luck or unfortunate circumstances.

personal tribulations

Suggests prolonged suffering or testing.

personal woes

Informal, implying troubles and unhappiness.

FAQs

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

You can use "personal difficulty" to describe a challenging situation someone is facing. For example: "She decided to take a break from work due to her ongoing "personal difficulty" with mental health".

What are some alternative phrases for "personal difficulty"?

Alternatives include "individual challenge", "private struggle", or "personal hardship", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "personal difficulty" formal or informal?

"Personal difficulty" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for highly formal writing, "private adversity" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "personal difficulty" and "personal problem"?

"Personal difficulty" often suggests a situation that requires effort to overcome, while "personal problem" can refer to any issue causing concern or trouble, regardless of whether it's actively being addressed.