the first difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the first difficulty" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to a problem or difficulty that comes up early on in a particular situation. For example, "The first difficulty in running a marathon is finding the right shoes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The first difficulty is the space.

The Guardian

DR. SOWWAN says the first difficulty was fund-raising.

The New York Times - Tech

The first difficulty arises with the design of the TEF.

The Guardian

The first difficulty is raised by what is called the air.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The first difficulty is in deciding the appropriate unit for measuring resources.

Britannica

The first difficulty is the measurement of rotational degrees of freedom.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

The Turkish bureaucracy was the first difficulty that Beyoglu AS faced.

The New York Times

The first difficulty with this number is that many people simply don't believe it.

The Guardian

The first difficulty is, how do you transfer the old debts?

The New Yorker

The first difficulty lies in choosing the physiological signals representation and in particular the electroencephalogram (EEG).

IRBM

The decisions he now faces are so complex that the first difficulty is to define the problem correctly.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the first difficulty", ensure that the subsequent text clearly articulates what this difficulty is and why it's significant. This provides context and clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "the first difficulty" without clearly defining what that difficulty is. Vague references can confuse the reader. Provide concrete details and context to ensure understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the first difficulty" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence or clause. It identifies a specific problem encountered at the beginning of a process or situation. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the first difficulty" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that highlights an initial challenge or problem. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. It's prevalent across various contexts, including science, news, and academia. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly define the specific difficulty to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "the initial challenge" or "the primary obstacle" can offer nuanced variations. Recognizing and addressing the initial hurdles is crucial for effective communication and problem-solving.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the initial challenge

Replaces 'difficulty' with 'challenge', emphasizing the demanding nature of the initial task.

the primary obstacle

Substitutes 'difficulty' with 'obstacle', highlighting the obstruction that needs to be overcome first.

the foremost hurdle

Uses 'hurdle' instead of 'difficulty', suggesting a barrier that requires effort to surmount at the beginning.

the opening problem

Replaces 'difficulty' with 'problem', focusing on the issue that arises at the start.

the initial setback

Changes 'difficulty' to 'setback', emphasizing a hindrance or delay encountered early on.

the preliminary issue

Uses 'issue' instead of 'difficulty', highlighting a point of concern or debate at the onset.

the starting complication

Replaces 'difficulty' with 'complication', stressing the complexity that arises at the beginning.

the early struggle

Substitutes 'difficulty' with 'struggle', indicating a demanding effort faced early in the process.

the introductory challenge

Uses 'challenge' instead of 'difficulty', highlighting a test of one's abilities at the beginning.

the foremost impediment

Replaces 'difficulty' with 'impediment', stressing the obstruction that delays or prevents progress from the start.

FAQs

How can I use "the first difficulty" in a sentence?

You can use "the first difficulty" to introduce an initial problem or challenge. For example, "The first difficulty in learning a new language is mastering the pronunciation."

What are some alternatives to "the first difficulty"?

Alternatives include "the initial challenge", "the primary obstacle", or "the foremost hurdle", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "the first difficulty" or "the initial difficulty"?

Both "the first difficulty" and "the initial difficulty" are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. The choice often depends on stylistic preference or the specific context.

What's the difference between "the first difficulty" and "a difficulty"?

"The first difficulty" refers to a specific, initial problem, while "a difficulty" refers to any problem or challenge, without necessarily being the first or most important.