the difficulty now is that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the difficulty now is that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a challenge or problem that is currently being faced in a situation. Example: "The difficulty now is that we have limited resources to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The difficulty now is that both sides contend they have moved as much as they can.

The New York Times - Sports

The difficulty now is that good journalism and the Guardian deserve every scrap of support they can muster, because the essence of their trade is at risk.

The Guardian

The difficulty now is that we are told that inspectors are looking for less variety in teaching methods and more "hard intensive extended learning" (obviously with moments of "Eureka!" built in as standard).

The Guardian

Her concern, however, is around potential conflicts of interest: "The difficulty now is that GPs are going to be responsible for essentially rationing care and they are going to have an interest in the private sector: about a third of people on commissioning groups have some sort of interest in the private healthcare sector".

The Guardian

"The difficulty now is that the continuing questions on the minister's behaviour undermine his credibility with environmental groups and the wider public and demonstrate the first minister's inability to control the actions of his own ministers".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Councilwoman Nancy Lytle said part of the difficulty now was that many people in Palo Alto have had trouble adjusting to the shift from that consensus-building style to the newer approach that encourages more confrontation.

The New York Times

The difficulty now is not that Arcesilaus appears over-committed to Stoic epistemology, as he seemed to be on the Academic interpretation, since the present assumption is that he shared only premise [6], not their theories of perception, belief, cognition, action, virtue and happiness, etc.

SEP

The bank's difficulty now is that troubled lenders in smaller countries, like Ireland, Greece and Spain, are so fragile that they still require extraordinary financing from the central bank, while most lenders in the core economies of Germany and France are stronger.

The New York Times

"One of the reasons hospitals are having difficulty now is that when they look at guidelines they are drinking from a fire hose," Dr. Wise said.

The New York Times

His message was profoundly anti-conservative, and all the more refreshing for it.The difficulty now is that even his own voters have mixed feelings about what Mr Sarkozy has actually achieved.

The Economist

"Our difficulty now is that the U.S. federal government is not seeing eye to eye with us on the importance of reductions from the automobile sector," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the difficulty now is that", ensure the statement following 'that' clearly and concisely identifies the current obstacle or challenge. Avoid ambiguity and provide specific details for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using overly complex or verbose language after "the difficulty now is that". Keep the explanation straightforward and easy to understand to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the difficulty now is that" functions as an introductory phrase or discourse marker. It signals that the speaker or writer is about to identify a problem or challenge that currently exists. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the difficulty now is that" serves as a useful phrase to introduce a current problem or challenge in a clear and direct manner. It's considered grammatically correct and, while not overly common, appears regularly in reliable news sources, scientific publications and business communication. When using this phrase, ensure that the subsequent explanation is concise and specific. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, making it a reliable choice for both formal and neutral contexts. Related phrases like "the present challenge is that" or "the current issue is that" can offer alternative ways to express a similar sentiment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the present challenge is that

Replaces "difficulty" with "challenge", emphasizing the active nature of the situation.

the current issue is that

Substitutes "difficulty" with "issue", framing the situation as a problem needing resolution.

the problem at hand is that

Focuses on the immediacy of the difficulty, highlighting its pressing nature.

the main concern now is that

Shifts the focus to a "concern", suggesting a worry or apprehension about the current situation.

what makes it difficult now is that

Emphasizes the source of difficulty, highlighting contributing factors.

a major obstacle now is that

Replaces "difficulty" with "obstacle", underscoring the impedance the issue is creating.

the complication at this point is that

Uses "complication" to imply a more intricate or complex problem.

things get difficult now because

Changes the structure to highlight the causal relationship more directly.

we are facing a challenge in that

Introduces a more proactive tone, emphasizing that a challenge needs to be confronted.

the snag right now is that

Employs "snag" for a more informal term to describe an unexpected or minor difficulty.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "the difficulty now is that" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "the present challenge is that", "the current issue is that", or "the main concern now is that".

Is "the difficulty now is that" suitable for academic writing?

Yes, "the difficulty now is that" can be used in academic writing, but ensure that the subsequent explanation is well-supported by evidence and analysis. Using phrases such as "the problem at hand is that" may also be appropriate depending on the context.

What's the difference between "the difficulty now is that" and "the problem now is that"?

While both phrases are similar, "the difficulty now is that" may imply a more complex or multifaceted issue, while "the problem now is that" suggests a more straightforward obstacle. The choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.

How to use "the difficulty now is that" in a sentence?

You can use "the difficulty now is that" to introduce a current challenge or obstacle. For example, "The difficulty now is that we lack sufficient funding to complete the project."