there was no difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there was no difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was easy or straightforward, without any challenges or obstacles. Example: "When I attempted the task, I found that there was no difficulty in completing it on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

"There was no difficulty in finding multi-talented artists at Princeton," notes Phillips.

Princeton University

Yet Djemba-Djemba says there was no difficulty in motivating himself for a lower league.

The Guardian - Sport

He immediately described the surface as "fine and powdery" and said that there was no difficulty moving about.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However there was no difficulty in entraining air in activated carbon injection fly ash concretes within the recommended dosage range of the air-entraining admixture.

Construction and Building Materials

The Tories said the letter came from the business community, and there was no difficulty in finding opposition to the NICs rise in that community.

The Guardian

He added: "To be honest, there was no difficulty in taking this decision for me, because Zenit is a well-known club in Europe.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

There is no difficulty in recognising them for what they are: a pooling of pools.

The Guardian - Books

There's no difficulty about winning battles, but what you do afterwards is what counts.

The Guardian - Books

There is no difficulty distinguishing the original Oscar from its substitute.

The New York Times

There is no difficulty in distinguishing encyclopaedias of the Konversationslexikon form from encyclopaedic dictionaries.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"We feel there is no difficulty regarding goods and their prices".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there was no difficulty" to clearly and directly communicate that a task, process, or situation was easily managed without complications. It's particularly effective in reports, summaries, or explanations where you want to emphasize the absence of issues.

Common error

While "there was no difficulty" is grammatically sound, overuse of passive constructions can make writing sound weak. Consider rephrasing to active voice when possible for a more direct and engaging style (e.g., 'I easily completed the task' instead of 'There was no difficulty for me in completing the task').

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there was no difficulty" functions as an assertion of ease or lack of obstruction. As Ludwig AI points out, it's a grammatically sound way to convey that a task or situation was managed without any significant problems. Examples in Ludwig show it used to describe physical movement, decision-making, and even entraining air in concrete.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

32%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there was no difficulty" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate the absence of problems or challenges. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as an assertion of ease and is suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While simpler alternatives exist, this phrase offers a clear and direct way to communicate that something was accomplished without significant obstacles. It is found frequently in sources such as The Guardian and The New York Times. While correct, writers should be mindful of potentially overusing passive voice and should choose active constructions when possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was easy

This alternative uses a more direct and concise expression to indicate the absence of difficulty.

it presented no problem

This phrase emphasizes the absence of any issues or obstacles encountered.

it was effortless

This suggests that the task required minimal exertion or effort.

it posed no challenge

This alternative highlights the lack of any demanding or difficult aspects.

it went smoothly

This indicates a seamless and trouble-free process or experience.

it was a breeze

This is an idiomatic expression suggesting that something was very easy and quick to accomplish.

it required no special skill

This emphasizes that the activity did not demand any particular expertise or ability.

it involved no struggle

This highlights the absence of any difficulty or hardship in completing the task.

it was undemanding

This implies that the task was not complex or taxing.

it was straightforward

This suggests the task was direct and without complications.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "there was no difficulty" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases such as "it presented no challenges" or "the task was completed without incident".

What are some simpler alternatives to "there was no difficulty"?

Simpler alternatives include phrases like "it was easy", "it was simple", or "it was straightforward".

Is it correct to say "there were no difficulties" instead of "there was no difficulty"?

Yes, "there were no difficulties" is also correct. The choice between "was" and "were" depends on whether you are referring to a general lack of difficulty (singular) or multiple specific instances of difficulty (plural).

When is it best to use "there was no difficulty" in writing?

It's best used when you want to explicitly state the absence of problems or obstacles in a situation or task. It's suitable for reports, explanations, or summaries where clarity and directness are important.