smallest difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "smallest difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or task that presents the least amount of challenge or obstacle. Example: "Among all the problems we faced, the smallest difficulty was figuring out the meeting time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Salacious fantasy — that was what Meriel now decided it had been — slid without the smallest difficulty into a medical chat, agreeably pessimistic on Aunt Muriel's side and carefully reassuring on the doctor's.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Our capacity to manage stress diminishes and the smallest difficulties can seem insurmountable.

Huffington Post

Number 89 in our first book, 101 Things I Wish I Knew When I Got Married, reads: "When two hearts are connected, the biggest problems become workable; when they are not, the smallest difficulties seem insurmountable".

Huffington Post

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

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "smallest difficulty", consider whether the context warrants the use of a more common or precise synonym like "minimal difficulty" or "minor issue" for clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "smallest difficulty" when a more accurate description of the situation involves a substantial challenge. Ensure that the adjective accurately reflects the scope of the difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smallest difficulty" functions as a noun phrase, where "smallest" modifies the noun "difficulty". It describes a problem or obstacle that is considered to be of minimal significance. As stated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

28%

Science

26%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "smallest difficulty" is a grammatically sound but infrequently used way to describe a minor problem or challenge. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct and usable. While it appears primarily in news and media, and scientific contexts, its rarity suggests that more common alternatives like "minimal difficulty" or "minor issue" might be more effective in conveying the intended meaning. When using "smallest difficulty", ensure it accurately reflects the insignificance of the issue at hand to avoid overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimal difficulty

Replaces "smallest" with "minimal", emphasizing the reduced degree of difficulty.

least difficulty

Uses "least" instead of "smallest", focusing on the absolute minimum of difficulty.

minor difficulty

Substitutes "smallest" with "minor", highlighting the insignificance of the challenge.

slightest difficulty

Emphasizes the subtle nature of the difficulty, using "slightest" for impact.

tiniest difficulty

Replaces "smallest" with "tiniest", adding a more informal and emphatic tone.

easiest challenge

Shifts from "difficulty" to "challenge", presenting a more positive framing of the situation.

insignificant problem

Replaces both "smallest" and "difficulty" to denote a problem that is not important.

negligible obstacle

Uses "negligible obstacle" to convey a barrier that is so small it can be ignored.

trivial issue

Expresses the idea as a "trivial issue", underscoring a lack of importance.

petty inconvenience

Highlights the troublesome nature as a "petty inconvenience", indicating an annoying but easily handled problem.

FAQs

What does "smallest difficulty" mean?

The phrase "smallest difficulty" refers to a situation or task that presents the least amount of challenge or obstacle. It suggests that whatever problem exists is of minimal significance.

What can I say instead of "smallest difficulty"?

You can use alternatives like "minimal difficulty", "minor issue", or "slightest problem" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "smallest difficulty"?

Use "smallest difficulty" when you want to emphasize how insignificant a problem or challenge is, compared to other potential difficulties or obstacles.

Is "smallest difficulty" the same as "least difficulty"?

While similar, "smallest difficulty" emphasizes the size or scope of the problem, while "least difficulty" emphasizes the degree of effort or challenge involved. The best choice depends on the specific aspect you want to highlight.