the difficulties that surface

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the difficulties that surface" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing challenges or problems that become apparent in a situation or process. Example: "During the project, we need to address the difficulties that surface to ensure a smooth completion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Energy Department is entirely complicit in the difficulties that have surfaced at Los Alamos over the last several years.

The New York Times

We understand the difficulties that lie ahead.

The Guardian

Accept the difficulty that comes with planning.

Harvard Business Review

The economic bubble burst, however, in 1989, and Price documents difficulties that have surfaced since that time.

Cornell University

"That's the difficulty of that play".

The New York Times - Sports

The challenges that surfaced include a lack of trust over issues such as intellectual property, uncertainty about the potential benefits of working together, and the difficulty on both sides of finding the time for initial exploratory conversations.

The Guardian

This problem resulted from equipment difficulties that included an unusually hard plastic backing underlying the punch card, the accumulation of dislodged chads on this surface, and punch card perforation and misalignment problems.

The New York Times

Parallelization can also address some of the difficulties associated with scaling down mechanical oscillator size, which is generally favorable for sensitivity: difficulties that include reduced power handling capability and reduced effective interaction cross section (i.e., the sensor surface area).

ACS Photonics

Many of the difficulties the charity has encountered this year mirror problems that surfaced in past catastrophes, records and interviews show.

The Washington Post

The difficulty is that magnesium does not readily stick to a surface, preferring to float as vapor.

The New York Times - Science

The chart below illustrates the difficulty of reaching that goal.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the difficulties that surface" when you want to highlight problems that were not initially obvious but have become apparent during a process or situation. This construction is particularly useful in analytical or reflective writing.

Common error

Avoid using "the difficulties that surface" in overly casual or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "problems that come up" might be more appropriate for everyday conversation or less formal communications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the difficulties that surface" functions as a relative clause, where "that surface" modifies the noun "difficulties". It identifies specific problems or challenges that become apparent or noticeable. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the difficulties that surface" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, suitable for describing problems that become apparent over time. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, remember that it's most appropriate for neutral to somewhat formal contexts. Consider more informal alternatives like "problems that come up" for casual situations. The phrase finds usage across news, science, and academic domains, highlighting its versatility in analytical and reflective writing. Use it judiciously to enhance clarity and precision in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the problems that arise

Replaces "difficulties" with "problems" and "surface" with "arise", maintaining a similar meaning but with slightly different word choice.

the challenges that emerge

Substitutes "difficulties" with "challenges" and "surface" with "emerge", conveying a sense of difficulties becoming known.

the issues that come to light

Replaces "difficulties" with "issues" and uses the idiomatic expression "come to light" instead of "surface", emphasizing the revealing of problems.

the complications that develop

Changes "difficulties" to "complications" and "surface" to "develop", highlighting the process of problems unfolding.

the obstacles that present themselves

Replaces "difficulties" with "obstacles" and uses "present themselves" instead of "surface", focusing on the appearance of impediments.

the snags that crop up

Uses "snags" as a more informal synonym for "difficulties" and "crop up" to mean "surface", suggesting unexpected minor problems.

the hitches that materialize

Employs "hitches" for "difficulties" and "materialize" for "surface", implying the sudden appearance of unexpected issues.

the setbacks that unfold

Replaces "difficulties" with "setbacks" and "surface" with "unfold", emphasizing the revealing of problems.

the troubles that become apparent

Substitutes "difficulties" with "troubles" and "surface" with "become apparent", conveying a sense of difficulties becoming known.

the predicaments that arise

Changes "difficulties" to "predicaments" and "surface" to "arise", highlighting a tricky or dangerous situation.

FAQs

How can I use "the difficulties that surface" in a sentence?

You can use "the difficulties that surface" to describe problems that become apparent during a project or situation. For example, "During the implementation phase, we need to address "the difficulties that surface" to ensure a smooth completion."

What are some alternatives to "the difficulties that surface"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "the challenges that emerge", "the problems that arise", or "the issues that come to light", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "the difficulties that surface" a formal or informal phrase?

"The difficulties that surface" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase, suitable for professional or academic writing. For more informal contexts, consider using alternatives like "the problems that come up".

What kind of situations are best described using "the difficulties that surface"?

This phrase is best used when describing situations where problems or challenges were not immediately apparent but have become known or noticeable over time, especially in the context of projects, processes, or ongoing situations.