substantial difficulties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial difficulties" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means significant or major challenges or obstacles. Example: "The company faced substantial difficulties in meeting its financial goals due to the economic downturn."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There are substantial difficulties in prosecuting cases committed in war zones," the official said.

The New York Times

Participants encountered substantial difficulties with the inflexibility of the diagnostic equipment.

Radiography

Substantial difficulties due to nonidentical relative degrees and directed interaction graphs are surmounted in this result.

Automatica

The membrane itself may play a role but creates substantial difficulties for structural studies.

Cell

Established techniques such as thermal evaporation or sputtering have shown substantial difficulties in fully metallizing the prepared patterns.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Researchers and clinicians have experienced substantial difficulties locating measures that are suitable for use within palliative care settings.

Journal of Pain and Symptom Management

Significant advantages are revealed when dealing with problems posing substantial difficulties in keeping diversity, including many-objective problems.

Swarm and Evolutionary Computation

He complained that there were "substantial difficulties" with the current budget that would make it more difficult to cope with the anticipated effects of a slowing economy.

The New York Times

The DOJ has experienced substantial difficulties from the bench, including pro-defendant jury instructions and reprimands from presiding judges for the theory underlying the DOJ's prosecution.

Columbia University

Furthermore, such complex models cause substantial difficulties when the corresponding material parameters need to be identified and their physical meaning interpreted.

Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering

Any change or addition to the physics model would require a reformulation of the adjoint problem and substantial difficulties in its software implementation.

Annals of Nuclear Energy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantial difficulties", consider the specific context and choose synonyms that accurately reflect the nature and severity of the challenges. For example, use "major obstacles" if physical impediments are involved or "complex issues" for multifaceted problems.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial difficulties" for minor inconveniences. Reserve this phrase for situations with genuinely significant and impactful challenges to maintain credibility and avoid exaggeration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial difficulties" functions as a noun phrase acting as the object of a verb or preposition, describing significant problems or challenges. Ludwig's examples demonstrate this in contexts ranging from legal prosecutions to scientific research.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

58%

News & Media

27%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial difficulties" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe significant challenges or obstacles. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in scientific, news, and academic writing. When using "substantial difficulties", consider the specific context and choose synonyms that accurately reflect the nature and severity of the challenges. Be mindful of overstating the severity and avoid using the phrase for minor inconveniences. This ensures clear and effective communication. Some possible alternatives are "significant challenges", "major obstacles" and "considerable hurdles".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant challenges

Emphasizes the demanding nature of the situation.

major obstacles

Highlights the impediments hindering progress.

considerable hurdles

Focuses on the barriers that need to be overcome.

significant impediments

Highlights elements that obstruct or delay progress.

serious problems

Directly points out the issues creating trouble.

formidable challenges

Stresses the difficulty and demanding nature of the challenge.

complex issues

Underlines the intricate nature of the problems.

critical setbacks

Highlights impediments and potential delays.

notable adversities

Focuses on the unfavorable conditions encountered.

pronounced complexities

Emphasizes the intricate and involved nature of the complications.

FAQs

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

You can use "substantial difficulties" to describe significant challenges or obstacles. For example: "The project encountered "substantial difficulties" due to unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "substantial difficulties"?

Alternatives include "significant challenges", "major obstacles", or "considerable hurdles" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "major difficulties" instead of "substantial difficulties"?

Yes, "major difficulties" is a valid alternative that conveys a similar meaning. The choice depends on the nuance you wish to express.

What's the difference between "substantial difficulties" and "minor difficulties"?

"Substantial difficulties" refer to significant, impactful problems, while "minor difficulties" indicate smaller, less impactful inconveniences. The key difference is the scale and impact of the challenge.