there were a few difficulties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there were a few difficulties" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing challenges or obstacles encountered in a situation or process. Example: "During the project, there were a few difficulties that we had to overcome to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

There were a few difficulties with putting up a tent on Dam Square.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"You generally get a new job on the back of there being a few difficulties at a club, and I'll hopefully sort those difficulties out with my experience," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

There are a few difficulties.

Biology Direct

However, there are a few difficulties in adapting these models to our problem; the number of time points is very few, intervals are not regular and the stage is a pseudo-time.

BMC Systems Biology

There were a few patients complaining of difficulties in answering item 8 (How much difficulties do you experience doing push-ups or other strenuous exercises because of your shoulder?) and item 9 (How much has your shoulder affected your ability to throw hard or far?) in WORC because they never did strenuous shoulder activities like push-ups or had never tried to throw hard or far.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

There were a few glitches: the Qoder had difficulty capturing a bar code printed on metal (like soft drink cans), or codes under clear plastic packaging or on soft items (like a pillow at Marshalls).

The New York Times - Tech

It didn't cause me any difficulties, but there were a few raised eyebrows at the local-authority end".

Independent

There were a few".

The New Yorker

There were a few restaurants.

The New Yorker

There were a few oddities.

The Economist

There were a few surprises.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "there were a few difficulties", consider the context and audience to determine if a more specific or descriptive term would be more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "there were a few difficulties", you could say "there were some unexpected technical challenges".

Common error

Avoid relying solely on the phrase "there were a few difficulties" without providing any specifics. While it's acceptable as a general statement, follow up with details about the nature of the difficulties to provide clarity and context for your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were a few difficulties" functions as a statement indicating the presence of some problems or challenges. Ludwig confirms its general usability. The verb "were" denotes past tense, positioning the difficulties in the past.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "there were a few difficulties" is a common and grammatically sound way to acknowledge the presence of problems or challenges, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is generally neutral in tone and suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal communications. When using this phrase, providing additional details about the nature of the difficulties is recommended for greater clarity. Consider alternatives such as "there were some problems" or "we encountered some challenges" for slight variations in emphasis. This expression presents no usage concerns. The Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is widely used and well accepted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there were some problems

Substitutes "few" with "some", offering a slightly less specific indication of quantity.

we encountered some challenges

Replaces "difficulties" with "challenges" and uses the verb "encountered" for a more active construction.

a couple of issues arose

Uses "a couple of" instead of "a few" and replaces "difficulties" with "issues", indicating a slightly less severe problem.

certain complications developed

Employs "complications" to suggest more intricate or complex problems.

various hurdles emerged

Uses "hurdles" to imply obstacles that need to be overcome, adding a sense of progression or effort.

several setbacks occurred

Introduces "setbacks" which conveys temporary delays or reversals in progress.

a number of snags surfaced

Replaces "difficulties" with the more informal "snags", suggesting minor hitches or unexpected issues.

some hitches presented themselves

Uses the word "hitches", offering a less formal alternative to difficulties.

a few glitches cropped up

Substitutes "difficulties" with "glitches", implying small, technical malfunctions or errors.

we faced minor setbacks

Emphasizes the act of facing setbacks and describes them as "minor", suggesting manageable issues.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "there were a few difficulties"?

You can use alternatives like "there were some problems", "we encountered some challenges", or "a couple of issues arose" depending on the context.

Is "there were a few difficulties" too vague?

While grammatically correct, "there were a few difficulties" can be vague. Providing specific details about the nature of the difficulties will give your audience a clearer understanding of the situation.

How formal is the phrase "there were a few difficulties"?

"There were a few difficulties" is generally considered neutral in formality and can be used in most contexts. However, in highly formal settings, you might opt for a more precise and descriptive term.

What's the difference between "there were a few difficulties" and "there were a few obstacles"?

While similar, "difficulties" generally refer to problems or challenges that hinder progress, whereas "obstacles" imply physical or figurative barriers that need to be overcome. The best choice depends on the specific context.