recurring difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "recurring difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a problem or challenge that happens repeatedly over time. Example: "The team has been facing a recurring difficulty in meeting project deadlines due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

One recurring difficulty in examining cases of public corruption is discovering which of the parties involved took the initiative in the transaction i.e., whether the payment was offered to a public official in order to influence his official behaviour (bribery) or demanded by him in exchange for special consideration or services (extortion).

Encyclopedia Britannica

A recurring difficulty, however, has been to maintain their stability in an aqueous environment.

Carbohydrate Polymers

A recurring difficulty was the invisibility of the importance of one's own contribution.

BMJ Open

One recurring difficulty is that much of the research comes from North America and may not be generalisable to other contexts, although a contemporary study using aggregate local council-level data in England also links outlet density with alcohol-related problems (Coghill, 2011).

Health and Place

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But he came to recognise that he needed more management firepower to get a grip on the operational detail and finances, with recurring difficulties in A&E and a deficit running at £1.4m every week.

The Guardian

Apple's success, though, combined with its recurring difficulties in meeting the demand for some its hottest products, including the iPad and iPhone, have prompted investors to single out the company.

The New York Times - Tech

An alternate explanation is that individuals with BD who have recurring difficulties from trauma are continuing to have persistent depressive symptoms and may not be represented in this sample.

International Journal of Bipolar Disorders

Once recognized, these patterns, such as chronic issues with certain types of employees or bosses or people in general, or recurring difficulties with certain types of business challenges or opportunities, open the door toward understanding basic beliefs about worth, talent, intelligence, goodness, personal power and confidence.

Forbes

Attempts to get researchers and potential research users to work together face recurring difficulties.

Health Research Policy and Systems

The Enron Corporation's recurring political difficulties in India flared again yesterday when the chief minister of Maharashtra state in western Indian said the state would review part of its power purchase agreement with an Enron subsidiary, the Dabhol Power Company, because rates had almost quadrupled since the deal was first made with the previous government.

The New York Times

Darlington Football club has suffered recurring financial difficulties since the late 1990s.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a problem that consistently reappears, use "recurring difficulty" to clearly convey its repetitive nature. This emphasizes that the problem is not a one-time event, but an ongoing challenge that requires attention.

Common error

Avoid using phrases like "passing difficulty" or "minor setback" when you intend to convey that the problem is persistent. Ensure that the adjective accurately reflects the ongoing and repetitive nature of the challenge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "recurring difficulty" functions as a noun phrase, where "recurring" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "difficulty". It describes a problem or challenge that happens repeatedly. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "recurring difficulty" is used to describe a problem that appears repeatedly. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct. Although examples are rare, the phrase appears in various contexts, including science, news media and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, be sure that it accurately reflects the repetitive nature of the problem. Alternatives such as "persistent challenge" or "repeated problem" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Be aware of the subtle difference between this phrase and similar expressions to avoid misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

persistent challenge

Replaces "difficulty" with "challenge" and "recurring" with "persistent", emphasizing the ongoing nature of the problem.

repeated problem

Uses simpler terms while maintaining the core meaning of a problem happening again and again.

chronic issue

Implies a long-lasting and frequently returning problem, often used in medical or organizational contexts.

ongoing struggle

Highlights the continuous effort required to deal with a difficulty that keeps coming back.

frequent setback

Focuses on the hindering aspect of the difficulty, suggesting that it impedes progress regularly.

cyclical impediment

Emphasizes the repetitive nature of the obstacle, suggesting it returns in cycles.

habitual obstacle

Suggests the difficulty is a common or predictable barrier.

perennial challenge

Indicates the challenge is enduring and returns regularly, similar to a perennial plant.

recurrent complication

Emphasizes the complexity and repeating nature of the difficulty.

common pitfall

Highlights that the difficulty is a frequent and well-known trap or mistake.

FAQs

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

You can use "recurring difficulty" to describe a problem that happens repeatedly. For example: "The project team faced a "recurring difficulty" in meeting deadlines."

What are some alternatives to saying "recurring difficulty"?

Alternatives include phrases like "persistent challenge", "repeated problem", or "chronic issue", depending on the specific context.

Is "recurring difficulty" formal or informal?

"Recurring difficulty" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's generally suitable for professional and academic writing. Consider your audience and the specific tone you want to convey.

What's the difference between "recurring difficulty" and "one-time problem"?

"Recurring difficulty" implies that the problem happens repeatedly, while "one-time problem" refers to an issue that only occurs once and is not expected to happen again.