personal troubles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "personal troubles" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to individual issues or difficulties that someone is experiencing in their life. Example: "She confided in her friend about her personal troubles, seeking advice and support during a challenging time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Once approved, some have encountered legal, financial and personal troubles.

The New York Times - Sports

Leary had already had a bad run of personal troubles.

The New Yorker

Maybe they blame bad luck or personal troubles.

The New York Times

Could this be hinting at her personal troubles?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Elaine Coonan, a retired bus driver, said she was upset about Mr. Weiner's personal troubles.

The New York Times

Defense lawyers said Private Chen's personal troubles were evident before he went to Afghanistan.

The New York Times

Yet Barghoorn, embroiled in personal troubles, sat on the results for several years.

The New Yorker

Perhaps more so: their dedication only seems to deepen as his personal troubles grow.

The New York Times - Arts

"Rated R" does what divas do: leverage personal troubles into music.

The New York Times

It is Easy who finds personal troubles with the cops as he attempts to solve a murder, or two.

Yale University

But his personal troubles got in the way; he committed suicide in 1978, at the age of twenty-seven.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing sensitive topics, using "personal troubles" can provide a respectful way to acknowledge someone's difficulties without being overly intrusive. For example, "Despite his "personal troubles", he remained committed to his work."

Common error

Avoid using "personal troubles" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language by using alternatives like "private issues" or "individual problems" to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding monotonous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "personal troubles" functions primarily as a noun phrase used to describe individual problems or difficulties that someone is experiencing. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "personal troubles" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe individual problems or difficulties. As Ludwig AI points out, it's frequently used in news and media to discuss various challenges people face. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and choose alternative phrases like "private difficulties" or "individual problems" to avoid repetition. When using the phrase, be mindful of the sensitive nature and ensure respectful communication. Remember to consider the register, as while it is versatile, there can be some contexts where it is inappropriate. Over all, ensure you vary usage with other alternatives and do not overuse this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

private difficulties

Replaces "troubles" with "difficulties" and "personal" with "private", suggesting a more intimate or sensitive nature.

individual problems

Substitutes "troubles" with "problems" and "personal" with "individual", offering a more straightforward and less emotional tone.

private issues

Uses "issues" instead of "troubles", which can soften the impact and imply matters needing resolution.

personal hardships

Replaces "troubles" with "hardships", emphasizing the difficult or challenging aspect of the experiences.

private struggles

Uses "struggles" to convey a sense of ongoing effort and challenge in dealing with personal issues.

personal challenges

Replaces "troubles" with "challenges", framing the difficulties as opportunities for growth and overcoming obstacles.

family difficulties

Narrows the focus to problems within the family context.

individual misfortunes

Substitutes "troubles" with "misfortunes", highlighting the element of bad luck or adverse fate.

personal misfortunes

Emphasizes unfortunate events impacting an individual's life.

individual setbacks

Replaces "troubles" with "setbacks", focusing on temporary impediments or obstacles in one's life.

FAQs

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

You can use "personal troubles" to refer to someone's individual problems or difficulties, as in, "The athlete's performance suffered due to his "personal troubles"."

What are some alternatives to saying "personal troubles"?

Alternatives include "private difficulties", "individual problems", or "private issues" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to ask someone about their "personal troubles"?

It depends on your relationship with the person. It's generally best to avoid direct inquiries unless they offer the information or you have a close, supportive relationship.

What's the difference between "personal troubles" and "public issues"?

"Personal troubles" refer to individual problems, while "public issues" involve broader societal concerns. For example, job loss due to company downsizing is a public issue, while debt from poor spending habits could be considered "personal troubles".