such a difficult period

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "such a difficult period" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a challenging or tough time in someone's life or a specific situation. Example: "After losing her job, she found herself in such a difficult period that she struggled to see a way forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I'm not going to judge anybody's comments made in such a difficult period.

The New York Times

"It is always nice to have competition with players coming in, but January is such a difficult period in the transfer market to get players in, especially the top players.

Independent

She said: "It was during the world wars that women were fully drafted in ensuring that the rail industry kept going through such a difficult period".

BBC

Unlike his comments on Dow's credit rating, Liveris refused to say the dividend would remain intact during such a difficult period.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Workers are encountering a difficult period of adjustment such as what they experienced after the Industrial Revolution when living standards actually fell.

Huffington Post

A difficult period followed for the church.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This was a difficult period for Jansch.

The Guardian - Music

Tesco continues to endure a difficult period.

The Guardian - Business

This was a difficult period for Ms. Jordan.

The New York Times

For AIPAC, this marked the beginning of a difficult period.

The New Yorker

"It's a difficult period for him," one friend said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "such a difficult period", ensure that the context clearly establishes the nature of the difficulty and its impact. Provide specific details or examples to enhance the reader's understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "such a difficult period" as a vague placeholder for more specific descriptions of hardship. Replace it with details about the specific challenges or struggles involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "such a difficult period" functions as a descriptive phrase, modifying a noun. It emphasizes the challenging or tough nature of a specific time or phase. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "such a difficult period" is a grammatically sound way to describe a challenging time, as supported by Ludwig AI. Though relatively rare in frequency, this phrase effectively communicates the intensity of hardship or difficulty. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts. While semantically similar to phrases like "challenging time" or "tough period", "such a difficult period" adds emphasis to the severity of the situation. When using this phrase, ensure the context provides sufficient detail to understand the specific nature of the difficulty being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult phase

Implies that the difficulty is part of a larger process or progression.

hard time

A simpler, more direct way to express difficulty.

tough period

Emphasizes the resilience needed to endure the hardship.

challenging time

Focuses on the difficulty as a challenge to be overcome.

trying time

Highlights the testing nature of the experience.

time of hardship

Emphasizes the suffering and deprivation involved.

rough patch

Suggests a temporary setback or minor difficulty.

period of adversity

More formal and emphasizes the unfavorable circumstances.

dark days

Conveys a sense of gloom and despair.

an ordeal

Highlights the painful and prolonged nature of the experience.

FAQs

How can I use "such a difficult period" in a sentence?

You can use "such a difficult period" to describe a challenging time in someone's life or in a particular situation. For example, "The company went through "such a difficult period" after the economic downturn".

What are some alternatives to "such a difficult period"?

Alternatives include "challenging time", "tough period", or "hard time". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "such difficult period" without the article "a"?

While omitting the article "a" might be understood, it's grammatically more correct and natural to include it: ""such a difficult period"". Omitting the article makes the phrase sound slightly awkward.

What's the difference between "such a difficult period" and "a difficult period"?

"Such a difficult period" implies a greater degree of intensity or impact than simply "a difficult period". The addition of "such" emphasizes the severity of the challenge.