serious difficulties

USAGE SUMMARY

"serious difficulties" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever a situation is complicated or complicated, and it is difficult to deal with. For example: The company has been struggling with serious difficulties lately.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The new ruler soon encountered serious difficulties.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As governor-general, he experienced serious difficulties.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Royal Doulton is in the most serious difficulties.

The Economist

But commercial success, alas, can lead to serious difficulties.

The New Yorker

Six generations after slavery's demise, such approaches present serious difficulties.

The New York Times

"We are facing serious difficulties," he was quoted as saying.

The New York Times

"Everyone is working hard to overcome these serious difficulties".

The New York Times

The union faced serious difficulties under Mr. Church.

The New York Times

Of them all, Serbia is facing the most serious difficulties.

The Guardian - Opinion

And, in future pregnancies, mothers can face serious difficulties.

The New Yorker

The Belgian economy of the interwar period faced serious difficulties.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "serious difficulties" to convey the presence of significant challenges or problems that require attention and effort to resolve.

Common error

While "serious difficulties" is appropriate in many contexts, avoid overuse. Vary your language by using synonyms like "major problems" or "significant challenges" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serious difficulties" functions as a noun phrase, where "serious" modifies "difficulties", indicating the high degree of challenge or adversity involved. As Ludwig AI identifies, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

8%

Social Media

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "serious difficulties" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe significant challenges or problems. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage across various contexts. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources, its register ranges from neutral to formal. When using the phrase, consider varying your language and using synonyms like "major problems" or "significant challenges" to avoid repetition and maintain engagement. The phrase serves to convey concern, inform, or warn about complex and demanding situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

major problems

Focuses more on the problematic aspect, potentially downplaying the complexity of the situation.

significant challenges

Highlights the challenging aspect requiring effort and resilience to overcome.

grave issues

Emphasizes the severity and potential negative consequences of the difficulties.

severe setbacks

Implies a temporary halt or regression due to unexpected problems.

critical obstacles

Focuses on the impeding nature of the difficulties, preventing progress.

considerable hurdles

Suggests challenges that need to be overcome to achieve a goal.

tough predicaments

Indicates a difficult, unpleasant, or dangerous situation.

complex complications

Highlights the intricate and multifaceted nature of the difficulties.

troubling circumstances

Emphasizes the worrying and unsettling nature of the situation.

unfavorable conditions

Focuses on external factors creating difficulties.

FAQs

How can I use "serious difficulties" in a sentence?

You can use "serious difficulties" to describe situations or problems that pose significant challenges. For example, "The company is facing "serious difficulties" due to the economic downturn."

What are some alternatives to saying "serious difficulties"?

Alternatives include "major problems", "significant challenges", or "grave issues", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "serious difficulties" or "major difficulties"?

Both "serious difficulties" and "major difficulties" are acceptable, but "serious" might imply a deeper, more impactful level of challenge than "major". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "serious difficulties" and "minor inconveniences"?

"Serious difficulties" refer to substantial problems requiring significant effort to resolve, while "minor inconveniences" are small, easily managed issues that cause only slight disruption.