pose a difficulty for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pose a difficulty for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing challenges or obstacles that may arise in a particular situation or context. Example: "The new regulations may pose a difficulty for small businesses trying to comply with the updated standards."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

This latest legislation would pose a difficulty for a wide number of authors, directors and performers.

The Guardian

The figures could pose a difficulty for George Osborne as he prepares for a budget because he has enjoyed rising tax receipts from stamp duty and the construction industry has been a strong source of income tax revenue.

The Guardian - Business

Loan words into Gaelic which start with a 'z' pose a difficulty for our native orthography, as it is not a natural sound in the modern language.

BBC

This may pose a difficulty for the identification of life satisfaction with happiness: for people frequently seem to use happiness as a proxy for well-being, a reasonably concrete and value-free stand-in that facilitates quick-and-dirty assessments of welfare.

SEP

Repeats pose a difficulty for transcriptome alignment, as many mapped reads cannot be uniquely assigned to a single genomic position.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Another commented, "These questions pose a difficulty for me in terms of privacy and yet responsible bank lending for consumers whose finances are not in great shape".

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Paraffin, one of the major components of straight-run naphtha, is relatively inert compared with olefin, which poses a difficulty for catalytic cracking of naphtha.

Catalysis Today

That poses a difficulty for the trustees, and current students, who would claim that the founder's intent is being thwarted by the all-male policy.

The Economist

The crystals of p38α that we obtained by published procedures were usually small, quite mosaic, and difficult to reproduce and thus posed a difficulty for the intensive high-resolution studies required for a structure-guided drug discovery approach.

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Proteins and Proteomics

This poses a difficulty for written information which cannot be responsive to an individual situation.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

This poses a difficulty for mentions annotated with more than one concept.

Bioinformatics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pose a difficulty for", ensure that the subject clearly identifies what is causing the difficulty, and the object specifies who or what is affected.

Common error

Avoid using overly general subjects with "pose a difficulty for". Be specific about what is causing the difficulty to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pose a difficulty for" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that something creates a problem or obstacle for someone or something else. Ludwig provides examples showcasing its usage in various contexts, affirming its role in expressing challenges.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pose a difficulty for" is a grammatically correct expression used to indicate that something creates challenges or obstacles. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is commonly found in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. While not extremely frequent, with only 4 exact examples, it is a useful phrase for expressing potential problems or challenges. Alternatives like "present a challenge to" or "create an obstacle for" can be used depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what is causing the difficulty and who or what is affected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

present a challenge to

Emphasizes the challenging aspect, differing slightly in tone.

create an obstacle for

Focuses on the hindering aspect, suggesting a barrier.

cause problems for

More direct and less formal, highlighting the problematic outcome.

complicate matters for

Highlights the increase in complexity as a result.

be problematic for

Shifts the focus to the inherent problem.

inhibit progress for

Specifically targets the hindrance of advancement.

impede the success of

Highlights hindering the success.

hinder the advancement of

Stresses the act of slowing down or preventing forward movement.

obstruct the path of

Figurative language, emphasizing blockage.

be detrimental to

Highlights potential damage or harm.

FAQs

How can I use "pose a difficulty for" in a sentence?

Use "pose a difficulty for" to indicate that something presents a challenge or obstacle. For example, "The new regulations "pose a difficulty for" small businesses".

What are some alternatives to "pose a difficulty for"?

You can use alternatives like "present a challenge to", "create an obstacle for", or "cause problems for" depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "pose a difficulty for" or "cause problems for"?

"Pose a difficulty for" is generally more formal. "Cause problems for" is more direct and suitable for informal contexts.

What's the difference between "pose a difficulty for" and "pose a challenge for"?

While similar, "pose a challenge for" often implies an opportunity for growth or overcoming an obstacle, whereas ""pose a difficulty for"" focuses more on the problematic aspect.