seeming difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

"seeming difficulty" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when a situation appears difficult, but may not actually be as difficult as it looks. For example, "Although it's a long list of tasks, with enough organization and focus, there doesn't seem to be too much difficulty in accomplishing them."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Much of this stems from the (seeming) difficulty in translating process information to environmental objectives.

Computers & Chemical Engineering

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The piano part is an unrelenting congestion of difficulty, much of it seeming to celebrate difficulty itself.

The New York Times - Arts

But no matter the method, even makeup artists, it seems, have difficulty streamlining their pocketbooks.

The New York Times

Colors that seem faded (difficulty reading and driving).

WikiHow

And it seems our difficulties are not just physical.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For my part, it seems the difficulties of first-year teaching are universal.

Forbes

Does it seem like difficulties are going to tear you apart, or do they invigorate you and deepen your partnership?

Huffington Post

If they have difficulty with other words of the same type, the inference that a particular language feature is causing difficulty seems even more compelling.

Language Testing in Asia

Occasionally, he seems to have difficulty keeping up with himself.

The Economist

She seemed to have difficulty breathing and speaking.

The New York Times

The answers that he gives to the Swedish difficulty seem less clear, though.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seeming difficulty" to suggest that a problem may not be as challenging as initially perceived. This can help temper expectations or encourage a closer look at the situation.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the "seeming difficulty" to create unnecessary drama. Clearly acknowledge it as potentially less significant than it appears.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seeming difficulty" functions as a noun phrase where "seeming" modifies "difficulty". It presents a situation where a challenge or problem exists, but its true extent or severity is questionable. Ludwig AI examples illustrate that it qualifies a situation that looks challenging but it may not be.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seeming difficulty" is a grammatically sound and useful construction for indicating a challenge that may not be as significant as it initially appears. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It functions as a noun phrase, typically employed in neutral registers, making it suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While not overly common, the phrase effectively communicates a sense of cautious assessment, inviting further consideration of the true nature of the perceived problem. Alternative phrases such as "apparent challenge" or "superficial problem" can provide variety in expression. When using "seeming difficulty", it's crucial to avoid exaggeration and maintain clarity regarding the potential underestimation of the challenge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

superficial difficulty

Adds the adjective "superficial" to emphasize that the difficulty is not deep or significant.

outward difficulty

Uses the adjective "outward" to emphasize that the difficulty is only visible on the surface.

perceived challenge

Uses "perceived" instead of "seeming", focusing on the subjective experience of the difficulty.

apparent challenge

Replaces "difficulty" with "challenge" and "seeming" with "apparent", both implying an outward appearance.

supposed problem

Replaces "seeming" with "supposed", indicating doubt about the existence or severity of the difficulty.

presumed difficulty

Substitutes "seeming" with "presumed", implying an assumption about the difficulty.

superficial problem

Substitutes "difficulty" with "problem" and "seeming" with "superficial", indicating the issue is not deep or significant.

surface-level challenge

Indicates that the challenge is only at the surface and might not be as complex as it seems.

ostensible hurdle

Uses "ostensible" in place of "seeming" and "hurdle" instead of "difficulty", suggesting a barrier that might not be as substantial as it looks.

illusory complication

Employs "illusory" to replace "seeming" and "complication" for "difficulty", highlighting the deceptive nature of the problem.

FAQs

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

You can use "seeming difficulty" to describe a situation that appears challenging but might not be upon closer inspection. For instance, "The project's scale presented a "seeming difficulty", but the team's expertise made it manageable."

What are some alternatives to "seeming difficulty"?

Consider using alternatives like "apparent challenge", "superficial problem", or "ostensible hurdle" to express a similar idea.

Is "seeming difficulty" formal or informal?

"Seeming difficulty" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, offering a balanced tone for discussing potentially misleading challenges. However, consider the audience and choose the most appropriate alternative if needed.

What does "seeming difficulty" imply?

"Seeming difficulty" implies that a problem or challenge may not be as significant or complex as it initially appears. It suggests a need for further investigation or a more optimistic perspective.