significant difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

"significant difficulty" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a challenging or problematic situation that is significant or important. Example: The new company policy has caused significant difficulty for employees, as they struggle to adapt to the changes. In this example, "significant difficulty" is used to describe the challenges that employees are facing due to the new policy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

This phenomenon, in fact, causes significant difficulty for perfumers.

The New Yorker

That can lead to significant difficulty in readjusting to home life".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I think the practice would continue, but there could be significant difficulty in gathering evidence.

The New York Times

A significant difficulty is that one cannot be sure that the sonnets are autobiographical.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And "undue hardship" is defined as any action "that requires significant difficulty or expense" when considered in relation to the size and nature of the business.

The New York Times

It was not until 2011, when he began representing victims of CIA drone strikes, that Mr Akbar began having significant difficulty getting a US visa".

The Guardian - Opinion

A person is considered mentally retarded under the North Carolina measure if his I.Q. is below 70 and he has significant difficulty in performing basic functions.

The New York Times

Others are more subjective, like a person's "unexplained nervousness or inability to make eye contact," "dress" or "significant difficulty communicating in English".

The New York Times

A person is considered mentally retarded under the new North Carolina measure if his I.Q. is below 70 and he has significant difficulty in performing basic functions of life, including communicating, taking care of himself, living at home or working.

The New York Times

A full day's drive to the clinic also means taking a day off of work, which is a significant difficulty for a low-wage worker in the Valley, which has one of the largest agricultural workforces in the United States.

The Guardian - Opinion

Being wireless without significant difficulty was a revelation.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "significant difficulty", ensure the context clearly explains what specific challenges or problems are causing the difficulty. Providing concrete examples strengthens your statement and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "significant difficulty" to describe trivial or minor inconveniences. Reserve it for situations where the challenge is genuinely substantial and impactful, otherwise your writing may lack credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significant difficulty" functions as a noun phrase, where "significant" modifies the noun "difficulty". It describes the degree or extent of a problem or challenge. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

57%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "significant difficulty" is a versatile and frequently used expression that denotes a considerable problem or challenge. Ludwig AI attests to its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability. Its function is to highlight the magnitude of a given obstacle and is found most often in Science and News & Media. Alternatives such as "considerable challenge" or "major obstacle" offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. When employing "significant difficulty", ensure the surrounding context provides clarity about the specific nature of the challenge and avoid using the phrase to describe only trivial problems. By understanding the appropriate context and potential pitfalls, writers can effectively use "significant difficulty" to communicate the presence of substantial challenges.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable challenge

This alternative replaces "difficulty" with "challenge" and "significant" with "considerable", emphasizing the demanding nature of the situation.

major obstacle

Using "obstacle" instead of "difficulty" highlights the barrier aspect of the problem, while "major" conveys the scale.

serious impediment

"Impediment" suggests something that hinders progress, and "serious" underscores the gravity of the situation.

substantial hurdle

"Hurdle" implies something to overcome, and "substantial" indicates its size or importance.

notable hardship

This variation uses "hardship" to focus on the adverse conditions or suffering caused by the difficulty, with "notable" highlighting its visibility or impact.

pronounced struggle

"Struggle" emphasizes the effort required to deal with the difficulty, while "pronounced" suggests it is easily noticeable or intense.

severe disadvantage

Shifts the focus to the resulting disadvantage caused by the difficulty while using "severe" to express degree.

serious setback

Focuses on the impact as a reversal of progress using "setback" rather than the difficulty itself.

marked challenge

This option replaces "significant" with "marked," indicating that the challenge is clearly apparent or noticeable.

tough predicament

Substituting "difficulty" with "predicament" emphasizes the tricky or unenviable nature of the situation, while "tough" indicates its demanding character.

FAQs

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

You can use "significant difficulty" to describe challenges or problems. For example: "The company experienced "significant difficulty" in adapting to the new regulations."

What are some alternatives to "significant difficulty"?

Alternatives include "considerable challenge", "major obstacle", or "serious impediment" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "significant difficulty" or should I use another phrasing?

"Significant difficulty" is a correct and commonly used phrase. Its suitability depends on the specific context and desired tone. Alternatives might be more appropriate in certain situations.

What's the difference between "significant difficulty" and "minor difficulty"?

"Significant difficulty" implies a substantial challenge or problem that has a notable impact. "Minor difficulty" suggests a small, easily overcome issue with little consequence.