small difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression "small difficulty" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it to describe a situation that presents minimal challenges. For example, "Despite the small difficulty of uncertain weather conditions, the team was able to complete their project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

They are promising to cut it down to size and fast.They do, however, face a small difficulty.

The Economist

At this stage, if you're filleting sea bass or gurnard, you'll encounter a small difficulty: the rib cage (at the head end of the fillet) bulges out a bit.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

4. Heinrich XI, of Greiz: 77 years, 103 days  (17 March 1723 to 17 March 1723) 5. Idris ibni Muhammad al-Qadri, of Tunku Besar of Tampin (Malaysia): 76 years, 239 days (31 May 1929 to 26 December 2005) There is a small difficulty around establishing al-Qadri's reign over the small region in Malaysia.

Independent

Losing what you thought was your financial security blanket is not a small difficulty.

Huffington Post

His signature move, the Orochinagi, was given a mid-air variation for The King of Fighters XIII with designers keeping in mind the concept of coolnesss as well as its small difficulty in performing it.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

When warning signs are ignored or not pursued, small difficulties will develop into crises.

The Guardian

"I have come to understand the genius, really the genius it took in this construction when I think about all our small difficulties," Mr. Jarnias said.

The New York Times

The lesson of contemporary social science is that small difficulties have great effects; make crime harder and you have much less crime.

The New Yorker

Challenges and benefits of working abroad are often one and the same; it's the small difficulties like navigating streets and social situations in an unfamiliar place that can build your confidence, ultimately having a subtle but tangible effect on whatever field of work you're in.

The Guardian

Problems occur when each of these small difficulties is added to each other.

Annals of Intensive Care

Indeed, the problems which a company can encounter must be analysed as a continuous and cumulative process: the failure starts with small difficulties which are gradually transformed into more serious problems.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "small difficulty" when you want to downplay the severity of a problem or challenge. It suggests the issue is manageable and not a major cause for concern.

Common error

Avoid using "small difficulty" to describe situations that are genuinely complex or critical. It can undermine the seriousness of the issue and potentially mislead the audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small difficulty" functions as a noun phrase, where "small" modifies the noun "difficulty". It describes a problem or challenge that is relatively minor or insignificant. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

34%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "small difficulty" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions to downplay the significance of a problem and is suitable for various contexts, primarily appearing in News & Media and Scientific sources. While not extremely common, it is used consistently to describe minor challenges, with alternatives like "minor inconvenience" or "slight problem" offering similar nuances. When using the phrase, ensure its usage aligns with the true scope of the challenge to avoid misleading or understating the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor inconvenience

Focuses on the troublesome aspect rather than the level of difficulty.

slight problem

Emphasizes the problematic nature, downplaying the difficulty.

modest challenge

Highlights the challenge aspect and emphasizes a moderate level.

trivial issue

Indicates the insignificance of the problem, suggesting it's easily resolved.

little setback

Frames the difficulty as a temporary delay in progress.

manageable obstacle

Emphasizes the ability to overcome the difficulty.

minor complication

Highlights the complicating aspect of a situation, without focusing on effort.

passing hurdle

Indicates the obstacle can be passed over easily.

negligible impediment

Points to the insignificant impact of the obstacle.

slight snag

Describes the problem as an unexpected, minor issue.

FAQs

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

You might say, "The project faced a "small difficulty" due to unforeseen circumstances, but the team quickly adapted".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "small difficulty"?

Consider using phrases like "minor inconvenience", "slight problem", or "modest challenge" depending on the specific context.

Is "small difficulty" a formal or informal expression?

The phrase "small difficulty" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal settings, a more precise term might be preferred.

What's the difference between "small difficulty" and "major obstacle"?

While "small difficulty" refers to a minor, easily manageable problem, "major obstacle" indicates a significant impediment that requires considerable effort to overcome. Each phrase should be used depending on the true scope of the challenge.