the most difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "the most difficulty" is not correct and usable in written English.
To convey the intended meaning in correct grammar, you could say "the most difficulty" or "the greatest difficulty". For example: "The greatest difficulty we face is finding a way to use our limited resources efficiently."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sometimes we have the most difficulty with the girls.

The New York Times

Users reported the most difficulty using the trackball and touchpad.

Applied Ergonomics

These students have the most difficulty: They're poorer, and the graduation rates are terrible.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The most difficulty, he said, may come for the middle management workers.

The New York Times

The ones who had the most difficulty with the concept, Atkinson found, were the tough negotiators.

The Guardian - Business

The issues that caused the most difficulty were the gas tax & the fuel efficiency of cars.

The New Yorker

The United States continues to have the most difficulty improving its image in Muslim countries.

The New York Times

"And they are having the most difficulty in the job market today".

The New York Times

"The ones who have the most difficulty are the parents of the climbers and the children.

The New York Times

Adults seemed to have the most difficulty, probably because of our center of gravity.

The New York Times - Travel

The tracking system has the most difficulty with scenes containing high occurrences of objects that visually overlap.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to the extent of difficulty, use the phrase "greatest difficulty" instead of "most difficulty" for better grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "most" with uncountable nouns like "difficulty". "Greatest" is generally preferred in such cases to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase, though common, functions as a noun phrase indicating the highest degree of trouble or challenge experienced in a particular situation. However, Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically not correct. It describes what someone or something finds hardest to deal with.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

34%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While "the most difficulty" is a frequently used phrase to express the highest level of challenge, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests using "the greatest difficulty" or "the most trouble" as better alternatives. The phrase appears across various contexts, including news, science, and academia, but writers should be mindful of grammatical accuracy and consider more appropriate substitutes such as "the biggest challenge" or "the toughest hurdle". Employing these alternatives not only enhances grammatical correctness but also maintains clarity and precision in conveying the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the greatest difficulty

Replaces "most" with "greatest", a more grammatically sound intensifier.

the biggest challenge

Substitutes "difficulty" with "challenge", focusing on the problematic aspect.

the greatest struggle

Replaces "difficulty" with "struggle", emphasizing the effort involved.

the toughest hurdle

Uses "hurdle" to represent an obstacle that is hard to overcome.

the hardest time

Employs "hardest time" to indicate a period of struggle or difficulty.

the severest problem

Highlights the severity of the issue or challenge faced.

the primary obstacle

Focuses on identifying the main barrier or impediment.

the most significant impediment

Emphasizes the importance of the impediment in causing problems.

the most acute issue

Uses "acute" to specify the urgency or intensity of the problem.

the trickiest part

Replaces difficulty with "trickiest part", indicating the most complicated aspect.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "the most difficulty" in a sentence?

While common, "the most difficulty" is grammatically incorrect. Use "the greatest difficulty" or "the most trouble" instead. For example, you might say, "They experienced "the greatest difficulty" finding a solution".

What's a better way to phrase "the most difficulty"?

Replace it with phrases like "the greatest challenge", "the most trouble", or "the hardest time". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "the most difficulty" grammatically sound?

No, it's not considered grammatically correct. Opt for "the greatest difficulty" or "the most trouble" for better grammar.

What are some alternatives to "the most difficulty" that emphasize the effort involved?

Consider "the greatest struggle" or "the hardest effort". These alternatives highlight the strenuous nature of the task or situation.