ran into difficulties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ran into difficulties" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone encountered an obstacle or problem while attempting to complete a task or activity. For example: "We ran into difficulties getting the project finished on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Once again, Mr. Castiglioni ran into difficulties.

The New York Times

No wonder some who had borrowed money ran into difficulties.

The Economist

It was not just Impressionism that ran into difficulties.

The New York Times - Arts

But pictures that were too blatantly overestimated ran into difficulties.

The New York Times - Arts

The management immediately ran into difficulties with supplies.

The Guardian

When Citi ran into difficulties, it turned to Abu Dhabi.

The New York Times

Eastern, T.W.A. and Braniff also ran into difficulties.

The New York Times

Even then we ran into difficulties getting the sediments back to the ship.

Columbia University

But once he took on big jobs with his growing network, he ran into difficulties.

The New York Times - Books

Almost as soon as it opened, though, the center ran into difficulties.

The New York Times

But the group ran into difficulties on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ran into difficulties", be specific about the nature of the difficulties encountered to provide clarity and context to your audience. For example, instead of saying "The project ran into difficulties", specify "The project ran into difficulties with securing funding."

Common error

While "ran into difficulties" is a useful phrase, avoid overusing it in your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "encountered problems" or "faced obstacles" to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ran into difficulties" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as a predicate in a sentence. It indicates that the subject of the sentence experienced problems or obstacles. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ran into difficulties" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that someone or something encountered problems or obstacles. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register that makes it suitable for a variety of audiences. While versatile, writers should avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "encountered problems" or "faced obstacles" for stylistic variation. The phrase effectively communicates challenges and setbacks, and is generally well-understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encountered problems

Focuses on the act of meeting with problems, similar to the original phrase.

faced obstacles

Highlights the confrontation with hindrances, implying a more active opposition.

experienced setbacks

Emphasizes the delays or reversals encountered during progress.

met with challenges

Implies a direct engagement with difficult circumstances.

had complications

Focuses on the complex nature of the issues that arose.

suffered adversity

Suggests a more severe form of hardship or misfortune.

struck snags

Informal way of saying something stopped progress.

found hurdles

Highlights the presence of obstacles that need to be overcome.

came up against barriers

Indicates the presence of impediments blocking progress.

grappled with issues

Expresses a struggle to resolve problems that arose.

FAQs

How can I use "ran into difficulties" in a sentence?

You can use "ran into difficulties" to describe encountering problems or obstacles during a task or project. For example, "The company "ran into difficulties" when the supply chain was disrupted."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "ran into difficulties"?

Alternatives include "encountered problems", "faced obstacles", or "experienced setbacks". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "encountered difficulties" instead of "ran into difficulties"?

"Encountered difficulties" is slightly more formal than ""ran into difficulties"", but both are generally acceptable in professional and academic writing.

What's the difference between "ran into difficulties" and "experienced a challenge"?

"Experienced a challenge" may suggest a situation that requires effort but isn't necessarily negative. "Ran into difficulties" typically implies more significant issues or setbacks.