the greatest difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

"the greatest difficulty" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it when describing a particular challenge or challenge faced. For example, "The company faced the greatest difficulty in deciding how to proceed in the wake of the economic downturn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Transport was the greatest difficulty.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Unskilled laborers face the greatest difficulty finding jobs.

The New York Times

After two hours, the greatest difficulty was too many volunteers.

The New York Times - Magazine

The greatest difficulty will be finding the right prime minister.

The Economist

Casualties were numerous and the removal of wounded was a matter of the greatest difficulty.

The Guardian

Defying the collective pessimism is the greatest difficulty politicians face today.

The Guardian

During the heavy weather, food had been prepared only with the greatest difficulty.

The Guardian

The greatest difficulty that cities face is the exodus of people to the suburbs.

The Guardian

The greatest difficulty, though, may simply be a profession's willingness to accept the idea.

The New Yorker

"The medical profession has the greatest difficulty in dealing with this issue.

The Guardian

Family courts rule on the 10% of breakups that present the greatest difficulty.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, follow "the greatest difficulty" with a specific explanation of what makes it so challenging. For example: "The greatest difficulty was securing funding for the project."

Common error

Avoid using "the greatest difficulty" to describe situations that are merely inconvenient or slightly challenging. This phrase should be reserved for truly significant obstacles to maintain its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the greatest difficulty" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies and emphasizes the most significant challenge or obstacle within a given context. Ludwig provides examples across various domains, showing its versatile application.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the greatest difficulty" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to highlight the most significant challenge in a given situation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is versatile, appearing across diverse contexts such as news, science, and formal business communications. While it maintains a neutral to professional register, it's essential to reserve its use for genuinely significant obstacles to avoid diluting its impact. Related phrases include "the biggest challenge" and "the main obstacle". When writing, remember to use it precisely and avoid overstating minor issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the biggest challenge

Replaces "difficulty" with "challenge", focusing on the aspect of something needing effort to overcome.

the main obstacle

Substitutes "difficulty" with "obstacle", highlighting the aspect of something that blocks progress.

the primary hurdle

Emphasizes the aspect of needing to jump over a barrier.

the toughest problem

Focuses on the problematic aspect requiring a solution.

the most significant impediment

Uses a more formal word, "impediment", to describe a hindrance.

the stiffest test

Implies a challenge that assesses one's capabilities.

the overriding concern

Shifts the focus to a concern that is more important than anything else.

the chief complication

Highlights the aspect of something making a situation complex.

the major snag

Uses a more informal term, "snag", for a sudden or unexpected difficulty.

the central issue

Focuses on the core problem that needs to be addressed.

FAQs

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

You can use "the greatest difficulty" to highlight the most significant challenge in a particular situation. For example: "The greatest difficulty in adapting 'Angels in America' for the screen was capturing its theatricality."

What are some alternatives to "the greatest difficulty"?

Alternatives include "the biggest challenge", "the main obstacle", or "the toughest problem", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

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

Yes, "the greatest difficulty" is suitable for formal writing. It is a clear and direct way to identify a primary challenge, as evidenced by its usage in academic, news, and business sources.

What makes "the greatest difficulty" different from "a difficulty"?

"The greatest difficulty" emphasizes the unparalleled significance of a particular challenge, whereas "a difficulty" simply acknowledges the presence of an obstacle without necessarily highlighting its severity or importance.