set of difficulties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "set of difficulties" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a collection or group of challenges or problems that someone is facing. Example: "The project faced a set of difficulties that required innovative solutions from the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

AT first, though, that had its own set of difficulties.

The New York Times - Travel

But victory brings its own set of difficulties.

The New York Times

Our project had many aspects that each had their own set of difficulties to overcome.

Cornell University

Working with a brash, over-confident Mr Bush created one set of difficulties for Britain.

The Economist

Reporting from rural India comes with its unique set of difficulties.

The New York Times

Andersen Consulting will face its own set of difficulties, even if analysts said they were less intimidating.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

For those people whose depression at midlife is real, however, the midlife crisis notion creates different sets of difficulties.

Huffington Post

I expected a lot of difficulties before setting off on a three year travel expedition but one thing I didn't plan for was the difficulties that my hair would give me.

Huffington Post

Each has faced their own set of housing difficulties.

The Guardian

However, since this did not happen, a certain sense of calm has returned to the eurozone, at least until the next scheduled election takes place or until the next country within the EU, such as one of the P.I.I.G.S. (Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece and Spain) countries, experiences its own, new set of financial difficulties.

Forbes

If so much previous historical writing on this period has been limited by a heavy reliance on prescriptive, halachic sources that do not necessarily describe the dynamics of everyday Jewish life, we will not solve the problem of obtaining a more balanced and nuanced picture by switching our confidence to personal autobiographies, which have their own set of methodological difficulties.

Johns Hopkins University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Before settling on "set of difficulties", explore synonyms to ensure the chosen phrase accurately reflects the nature and scope of the challenges being described.

Common error

Avoid using "set of difficulties" as a default phrase. Instead, specify the types of difficulties to provide more context and clarity to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set of difficulties" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. As Ludwig confirms, it's a common and correct phrase, indicating a collection of problems or challenges.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

32%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "set of difficulties" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a collection of challenges or problems. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While versatile, it's important to consider more descriptive alternatives for enhanced clarity. This phrase maintains a neutral to formal register and is generally well-received in professional and academic writing. Remember to be specific about the difficulties when possible, rather than relying on this generic phrase. Consider exploring alternatives such as "range of challenges" or "series of problems" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

range of challenges

Focuses on the variety of challenges involved.

series of problems

Emphasizes the sequential nature of the problems.

array of obstacles

Highlights the obstructions encountered.

collection of issues

Refers to a group of concerns or matters needing resolution.

group of complications

Highlights the complex nature of the problems.

cluster of setbacks

Emphasizes the hindering nature of the problems.

string of predicaments

Highlights the problematic situations faced.

host of troubles

Emphasizes the abundance of problems.

barrage of hardships

Stresses the intensity and overwhelming nature of the problems.

litany of woes

Refers to a long and tedious list of problems.

FAQs

How can I use "set of difficulties" in a sentence?

You can use "set of difficulties" to describe a collection of challenges or problems. For example, "The project encountered a "set of difficulties" during the implementation phase".

What are some alternatives to "set of difficulties"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "range of challenges", "series of problems", or "array of obstacles".

Is it better to specify the types of difficulties instead of using "set of difficulties"?

In many cases, specifying the types of difficulties provides more clarity and impact. However, "set of difficulties" can be useful as a general term when the specific difficulties are numerous or varied.

What is the difference between "set of difficulties" and "set of challenges"?

While similar, "set of challenges" often implies a more positive or growth-oriented perspective, whereas ""set of difficulties"" focuses more on the problematic aspects.