the primary difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the primary difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the main challenge or obstacle in a particular situation or context. Example: "The primary difficulty in implementing the new software was the lack of training for the staff."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

The primary difficulty with enforcing the law would be locating Northern-owned property.

The New York Times

"The primary difficulty in staff planning at this time was the fact that neither the field nor Headquarters possessed detailed information on military figures in Iran.

The New York Times

No such body of law exists at the international level, and some believe this vacuum is the primary difficulty with the international debt system.

The Guardian - Business

The primary difficulty with the ad valorem taxation, especially in the case of tariffs, is in establishing a satisfactory value figure.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The primary difficulty with the process of meeting online, according to some psychologists, is that there is little similarity between a disembodied e-mail consciousness and a real-life encounter.

The New York Times - Tech

But insiders say the primary difficulty in prosecuting Mr. Milosevic for Kosovo will be to establish the credible links between Mr. Milosevic and the looting, raping and killing attributed to the Yugoslav forces on their rampage through Kosovo.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

It was not the economic situation, however, that provided the primary difficulties for the chancellor but rather the divisions within her own ruling coalition.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The primary difficulties that Darwin Day UT experienced during the course of the planned events were public misconceptions of the definition of science.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

One of the primary difficulties in evaluating the effectiveness of lumbar fusion is that, with the exception of spondylolisthesis, specific diagnostic indications for surgery are poorly defined.

The Spine Journal

For any divergence-free vector field u 0 ∈ B 1, 1 3 ( R 2 ), there exists a unique solution u ∈ C ( [ 0, ∞ ) ; B 1, 1 3 ( R 2 ) ) of the problem (1) with u | t = 0 = u 0. The compactness argument was used for the main literature in the proof employed by the authors in [2], and one of the primary difficulties of estimates was to get rid of the L 1 -singularity.

Advances in Difference Equations

There is opulent literature suggesting that one of the primary difficulties in locating active transcriptional sites is due to the majority of the mammalian genome being transcribed and most regulatory sequences being multi-functional [1], [2], [3], [4].

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the primary difficulty", clearly define what the difficulty pertains to in the context. Ensure the reader understands the specific situation or process being discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "the primary difficulty" when a situation involves multiple, equally significant challenges. Ensure the difficulty you're highlighting is genuinely the most prominent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the primary difficulty" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI examples show it often introduces a central issue or challenge within a particular context, framing the subsequent discussion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the primary difficulty" is a commonly used noun phrase that serves to highlight the most significant challenge or obstacle in a particular context. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in various formal and neutral registers. Predominantly found in scientific and news-related content, it effectively focuses attention on the core problem. When using this phrase, it is crucial to ensure that the identified difficulty is indeed the most prominent one and that its relevance to the broader context is clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the main problem

Replaces "difficulty" with "problem", a more general term for an obstacle or challenge.

the major challenge

Substitutes "primary" with "major" and "difficulty" with "challenge", emphasizing the significance of the obstacle.

the chief concern

Replaces "difficulty" with "concern", shifting the focus to the most important worry or issue.

the central issue

Substitutes "primary difficulty" with "central issue", highlighting the core problem.

the key obstacle

Replaces "primary" with "key" and "difficulty" with "obstacle", emphasizing the obstruction.

the principal hurdle

Substitutes "primary" with "principal" and "difficulty" with "hurdle", suggesting something that must be overcome.

the foremost impediment

Replaces "primary" with "foremost" and "difficulty" with "impediment", indicating a significant hindrance.

the overriding concern

Replaces "primary difficulty" with "overriding concern", suggesting a concern that takes precedence over others.

the greatest struggle

Substitutes "primary difficulty" with "greatest struggle", emphasizing the effort required to overcome the issue.

the most significant challenge

Replaces "primary" with "most significant" and "difficulty" with "challenge", highlighting the importance and demanding nature of the obstacle.

FAQs

What does "the primary difficulty" mean?

The phrase "the primary difficulty" refers to the main or most significant challenge, obstacle, or problem in a particular situation.

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

You can use "the primary difficulty" to highlight the main obstacle in a situation. For example, "The primary difficulty was locating Northern-owned property".

What are some alternatives to "the primary difficulty"?

Alternatives to "the primary difficulty" include phrases like "the main problem", "the major challenge", or "the central issue".

Is it better to use "primary difficulty" or "main difficulty"?

Both "primary difficulty" and "main difficulty" are acceptable. "Primary" suggests the most important or fundamental difficulty, while "main" indicates the principal or chief difficulty. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.