substantial difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant level of challenge or hardship encountered in a situation or task. Example: "The students faced substantial difficulty in understanding the complex mathematical concepts presented in the course."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

"If you were able to avoid areas where there was substantial difficulty, you could find some spots in the market where you could get pretty good performance".

The New York Times

Program for Survivors of Torture and Physicians for Human Rights, we found that more than half of the individuals we interviewed with serious health problems reported substantial difficulty in accessing care.

The New York Times

From April next year, councils have to offer advocacy services for people who have "substantial difficulty" in being fully involved in decision-making, and who don't have an appropriate person to support them.

The Guardian

But, he said, 10percentt of the patients had substantial difficulty acknowledging the nature and severity of their disease, a problem that could call their decision-making capacity into question.

The New York Times - Health

Subsequently, in response to strong appeals from the German government, the United States approved a similar arrangement between United and Lufthansa -- also at a time when the German carrier was in substantial difficulty.

The New York Times

Imagine giving players on the ATP Tour only one serve, which would automatically drop serve speeds, and you would start to see the men having substantial difficulty holding serve as well.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

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

Section 67 of the care act places a duty on councils to use an independent advocate if the person would experience substantial difficulties in understanding, retaining or using relevant information, or in communicating their views or wishes.

The Guardian

That was possible, Mr. Poltrack said, as long as there were no substantial difficulties from a potential strike by writers that could affect the schedules for the 2001-2002 season.

The New York Times

But in the meantime, the dispute shows that although commercial Web sites have made considerable strides in serving this small fraction of their customer base, there are still substantial difficulties on both sides of the screen.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantial difficulty", ensure it accurately reflects the magnitude of the challenge. Avoid using it for minor inconveniences to maintain credibility and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial difficulty" when a simpler term like "challenge" or "problem" would suffice. Overusing strong language can diminish its effect and make your writing seem exaggerated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial difficulty" functions as a noun phrase, where "substantial" modifies the noun "difficulty". Ludwig AI's examples demonstrate its use to describe challenges in various contexts, from accessing healthcare to understanding complex concepts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

29%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial difficulty" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes a significant challenge or problem. Ludwig AI indicates that it's appropriate for use in various contexts, particularly in science, news, and formal business settings. While it's a useful expression, be mindful of potentially overstating the difficulty, and consider alternative phrases like "significant challenge" or "considerable problem", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formidable challenge

Indicates that the challenge is intimidating and difficult to overcome.

significant challenge

Focuses on the challenging aspect rather than the difficulty itself.

considerable problem

Emphasizes the problematic nature of the situation.

daunting task

Emphasizes the intimidating and discouraging nature of the task due to its difficulty.

major obstacle

Highlights the hindering aspect of the difficulty.

serious impediment

Presents a more formal and weighty version of a hindrance.

notable hardship

Shifts the focus to the hardship experienced because of the difficulty.

grave complication

Suggests a serious and complex issue arising from the difficulty.

marked struggle

Highlights the effort and fight involved in overcoming the difficulty.

onerous task

Changes the perspective to the burdensome nature of the undertaking.

FAQs

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

You can use "substantial difficulty" to describe a situation where someone faces a significant challenge. For example, "The project encountered "substantial difficulty" due to unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "substantial difficulty"?

Alternatives include "significant challenge", "considerable problem", or "major obstacle", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "substantial difficulty" and "minor difficulty"?

"Substantial difficulty" implies a significant and impactful challenge, while "minor difficulty" suggests a small and easily manageable issue. Using the right term helps accurately convey the severity of the situation.

When is it appropriate to use the term "substantial difficulty"?

It is appropriate to use "substantial difficulty" when you want to emphasize that a task or situation presents a significant and noteworthy challenge that requires considerable effort to overcome.