suffer difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'suffer difficulty' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone or something has experienced hardship or difficulty. For example, "The company suffered difficulty meeting the quarterly targets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Patients develop a dry cough and suffer difficulty in breathing; about half become confused and delirious.

The Guardian

We suffer difficulty.

Huffington Post

During the six months after pulmonary contusion, up to 90% of people suffer difficulty breathing.

Wikipedia

A large portion of infant deaths are attributed to early term births and surviving infants are more likely to suffer difficulty breathing, hearing loss, intellectual disabilities, and other health problems (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of the Associate Director for Communication, Digital Media Branch, Division of Public Affairs).

Genome Biology and Evolution

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Treatment options are poor and many with the condition suffer difficulties with speech, delayed growth, movement and balance.

The Guardian

Then, witnesses said, the plane appeared to suffer difficulties with an engine on the left wing, rolled to the left, stalled and plunged into the small abandoned Ravenswood Airport, narrowly missing a mobile home court.

The New York Times

Indeed, Plato's account of Recollection, whatever it is, is liable to suffer difficulties.

SEP

However, there are organizations that suffer difficulties during the implementation of projects related to the improvement of IT service processes, and consequently they do not succeed (Jäntti,2010; Pollard and Cater-Steel,2009; Sharifi et al.2008).2008

Journal of Software Engineering Research and Development

Patients suffered difficulty breathing, eye inflammation, shivering and fainting, he said.

Huffington Post

But the qualification suffered difficulties from the beginning and attracted few takers, before being axed by Michael Gove in 2010.

The Guardian

Dollar Financial UK chief executive, Stuart Howard, said: "I accept the findings of the review and apologise to anyone who may have suffered difficulties as a result.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "suffer difficulty", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific area or aspect in which the difficulty is experienced. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "suffer difficulty" in overly casual contexts or when a more specific term would provide better clarity. For example, instead of saying "They suffer difficulty with the new software", specify the problem: "They struggle to learn the new software."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suffer difficulty" functions as a verb phrase indicating the experience of hardship or trouble. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in expressing that someone or something has undergone a challenging situation, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "suffer difficulty" is grammatically correct but relatively uncommon, as indicated by Ludwig. It functions to describe the experience of facing hardships or challenges and is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts. While acceptable, more common or specific alternatives may often provide greater clarity or impact. Ludwig AI indicates that it’s a usable phrase for expressing hardship or trouble.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Encounter hardship

Emphasizes the experience of facing difficult conditions.

Face adversity

Highlights the confrontation with challenging circumstances.

Go through a difficult time

Focuses on a period marked by troubles.

Experience challenges

Broadly refers to facing obstacles or tests.

Struggle with adversity

Highlights the act of fighting against misfortune.

Have a hard time

Simple and direct way of expressing difficulty.

Undergo tribulation

Implies a severe trial or suffering.

Meet with difficulty

Suggests encountering obstacles in a more formal tone.

Be afflicted by hardship

Highlights the negative impact of difficult circumstances.

Bear the brunt of adversity

Emphasizes enduring the worst effects of hardship.

FAQs

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

You can use "suffer difficulty" to describe experiencing problems or hardships. For example, "The project suffered difficulty due to unexpected delays."

What are some alternatives to "suffer difficulty"?

Some alternatives include "encounter hardship", "face adversity", or "struggle with adversity".

Is it better to say "suffer difficulty" or "have difficulty"?

"Suffer difficulty" is a more formal way of saying "have difficulty", implying a more significant or negative experience. Use "have difficulty" in everyday contexts.

What's the difference between "suffer difficulty" and "suffer from difficulty"?

"Suffer from difficulty" is more common and grammatically straightforward. While "suffer difficulty" is acceptable, it is less frequently used and might sound slightly awkward to some.