the difficulty stems from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the difficulty stems from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the source or origin of a problem or challenge. Example: "The difficulty stems from a lack of communication between team members, which has led to misunderstandings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

But in the three-town District 8 -- R.H.A.M. stands for Regional Hebron, Andover and Marlborough -- the difficulty stems from disputes over what constitutes legitimate budget growth.

The New York Times

"The difficulty stems from the tendency of the general public to think that because we are spending hundreds of millions of dollars on high tech that it will remove uncertainty," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

The difficulty stems from the fact that despite being easy to check each piece of the haystack, the number of objects to test is so large, the task cannot be completed in a feasible amount of time.

The Guardian

The difficulty stems from changes in the local elections made last year by Mr. Milosevic's government -- to a winner-take-all system, eliminating a second-round runoff between the two top finishers.

The New York Times

Part of the difficulty stems from the fact that the two primary agencies that will oversee any merger — the Federal Communications Commission and the Justice Department's antitrust division — look at it with different goals in mind.

The New York Times - Tech

But how much of the difficulty stems from having to return these large sets of explanations?

Artificial Intelligence

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

He says he knows now that the difficulty stemmed from his attention deficit disorder, which remained undiagnosed until he was in his 30's.

The New York Times

Partly, this difficulty stems from the lack of fine-grained data about the population under surveillance.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

We argue that this difficulty stems from the fundamental differences between many of today's innovations and earlier ones.

Technological Forecasting and Social Change

He tests these cases against a cluster of 12 characteristics that he argues are collectively definitive of art and finds that the difficulties stem from conflicts or tensions among these characteristics.

The New York Times - Books

How ironic, then, that the Bank now finds itself in a spot of bother over its own budget.Just as in many poor countries, the difficulties stem from a temporary cash windfall.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "arises from" or "originates from" to add variety to your writing and avoid repetition.

Common error

Be specific about the cause. Saying "the difficulty stems from management" is less effective than "the difficulty stems from the lack of clear communication from management regarding project expectations."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the difficulty stems from" functions as a causal connector, linking a problem or challenge to its underlying cause. It serves to explain the origin of the difficulty, as supported by examples found in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the difficulty stems from" is a grammatically correct causal connector used to link a problem to its source. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is most commonly found in science and news media contexts. While not extremely frequent, it's a valuable phrase for clearly identifying cause-and-effect relationships. Remember to be specific about the cause to enhance clarity. Consider alternatives like "arises from" or "originates from" to vary your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the problem originates from

Focuses on the starting point of the issue, implying a more distant cause.

the issue arises from

Highlights the emergence of the problem, suggesting a more immediate trigger.

the root of the problem is

Emphasizes the fundamental cause, often implying a deeper, underlying issue.

the source of the trouble is

Directly points to the origin of the difficulty, often used in less formal contexts.

the reason for the challenge is

Clearly states that what follows is the explanation for a specific challenge.

the underlying cause is

Highlights a less obvious, often hidden factor contributing to the difficulty.

it's a consequence of

Frames the difficulty as a direct result of a preceding action or situation.

it's attributable to

Suggests that the difficulty can be linked or credited to a specific cause.

the explanation lies in

Indicates that the answer or reason for the difficulty is found within a particular area or factor.

the crux of the matter is

Emphasizes that the following point is the most important or decisive factor.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "the difficulty stems from" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "the issue arises from", "the problem originates from", or "the root of the problem is" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "the difficulty stems from" and "the difficulty arises from"?

While similar, "the difficulty stems from" implies a more deeply rooted cause, whereas "the difficulty arises from" suggests a more immediate trigger or emergence of the problem.

Is it appropriate to use "the difficulty stems from" in formal writing?

Yes, "the difficulty stems from" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in academic or professional contexts where clearly identifying causes is important.

What are some common synonyms for "stems from"?

Common synonyms include "originates from", "arises from", "results from", or "is caused by".