ran into difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ran into difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to talk about a problem you encountered in the course of doing something. For example: "When I was trying to fix the printer, I ran into difficulty and couldn't get it to work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

As membership increased, however, this practice ran into difficulty.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Suppose that a fair-sized bank in a large euro-area country ran into difficulty.

The Economist

When the time came to look for outside financial resources, he ran into difficulty.

The New York Times

About 1908, Melander himself ran into difficulty with one of the scale insects.

The New Yorker

When Motta e Alemagna, a Milanese maker of panettone, ran into difficulty in 1974, IRI salvaged the firm.

The Economist

The cheap loans provided a life raft for the region's banking sector, which ran into difficulty during the debt crisis.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Once again, Mr. Castiglioni ran into difficulties.

The New York Times

But pictures that were too blatantly overestimated ran into difficulties.

The New York Times - Arts

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

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

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when using "ran into difficulty". While generally applicable, it may be more impactful to use a specific term that describes the nature of the problem encountered, such as "faced a financial constraint" or "encountered technical issues".

Common error

Avoid overuse of "ran into difficulty" in a single text. While a useful phrase, relying on it too often can make your writing seem repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "encountered a problem" or "faced obstacles" to keep the writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ran into difficulty" functions as a verb phrase indicating the experience of encountering a problem or obstacle. As Ludwig AI explains, it's suitable for describing hindrances in various contexts. It is commonly used to narrate challenges in projects, personal endeavors, or other situations where progress is impeded.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ran into difficulty" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe encountering problems or obstacles. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely applicable in both formal and informal writing. Usage analysis reveals that it’s most frequently found in news and media, and authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian often employ it. To enhance your writing, consider alternatives like "encountered a problem" or "faced obstacles" to avoid repetition. Remember, while useful, overusing this phrase can make your writing monotonous. Understanding its proper context and usage, as illuminated by the examples in Ludwig, will help you use "ran into difficulty" effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encountered a problem

Focuses on the problem itself rather than the action of encountering it.

faced obstacles

Emphasizes the barriers that were confronted.

experienced setbacks

Highlights the negative progress or delays faced.

met with challenges

Stresses the demanding nature of the situation.

struck an obstacle

Similar meaning but more specific about hitting a single, defined obstacle.

came up against a problem

More conversational alternative, emphasizing unexpectedness.

had complications

Focuses on the complexity of the problems encountered.

found themselves in trouble

Highlights the problematic situation one is in as a result of events.

were thwarted by issues

Emphasizes that issues prevented the desired outcome.

suffered a hitch

More informal, refers to a temporary or minor problem.

FAQs

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

You can use "ran into difficulty" to describe encountering a problem or obstacle. For example: "The project "ran into difficulty" when funding was cut."

What can I say instead of "ran into difficulty"?

You can use alternatives like "encountered a problem", "faced obstacles", or "experienced setbacks" depending on the context.

Is "run into difficulty" or "ran into difficulty" correct?

"Ran into difficulty" is the past tense of "run into difficulty", so use "ran" when referring to a past event. Use "run" when discussing habitual or present situations.

What's the difference between "ran into difficulty" and "had a problem"?

"Ran into difficulty" implies a more significant obstacle that hindered progress, while "had a problem" is a more general term for any issue encountered.