these difficult times

USAGE SUMMARY

'these difficult times' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer generally to a challenging period or situation. For example, "We are facing these difficult times together, and we will come out stronger on the other side."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In these difficult times, that is multiplied.

The New York Times

"In these difficult times, aren't we lucky?" Mr. Silver said.

The New York Times

Your blessed memory sustains us through these difficult times.

The New York Times

In these difficult times, books are a great help.

The New Yorker

"We are going to get through these difficult times".

The New York Times

In these difficult times, councils need to find savings.

The Guardian

She figures that these difficult times can do that, too.

The New York Times

In these difficult times, it's important to know your rights.

The Washington Post

Indeed, open source looks ideal for these difficult times.

The Economist

In these difficult times that evidently counts for a lot.

The Economist

That commitment reaffirms that, in these difficult times, our work is more important than ever.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "these difficult times", consider specifying the type of difficulty you are referring to (e.g., "these difficult economic times") for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "these difficult times" repeatedly without providing specific context. Overuse can make your writing sound generic and insincere. Instead, vary your language and provide concrete details about the challenges being faced.

Linguistic Context

"These difficult times" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, showing it's widely used to denote periods marked by hardship or challenge. The phrase sets the stage for discussion or reflection.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

13%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "these difficult times" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to refer to periods of hardship or challenge. As validated by Ludwig AI, it functions as a noun phrase and frequently introduces discussions about overcoming adversity. This phrase is most prevalent in News & Media contexts, but also appears in Academic and Formal & Business settings. While versatile, it's advisable to provide specific context and avoid overuse. Alternatives like "these challenging periods" or "these trying circumstances" can add variety to your writing. Understanding the nuances of "these difficult times" can enhance clarity and sincerity in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

these challenging periods

Replaces "difficult" with "challenging" and "times" with "periods", emphasizing the demanding nature of the situation.

these trying circumstances

Substitutes "difficult" with "trying" and "times" with "circumstances", highlighting the testing aspects of the situation.

these tough moments

Replaces "difficult" with "tough" and "times" with "moments", focusing on the harshness and temporality of the situation.

this period of adversity

Rephrases the entire expression to highlight the overall hardship and misfortune.

these hard economic conditions

Specifies the context as economic, emphasizing the financial struggles.

these uncertain days

Shifts the focus to the lack of predictability and stability.

these critical junctures

Emphasizes the decisiveness and importance of the present situation.

this era of hardship

Focuses on the prolonged suffering and privation.

the current crisis

Directly labels the situation as a crisis, suggesting urgency and severity.

present difficulties

A more concise and straightforward way of referring to the existing problems.

FAQs

How can I use "these difficult times" in a sentence?

You can use "these difficult times" to refer to a period of hardship or challenge. For example, "During "these difficult times", it's important to support one another."

What are some alternatives to saying "these difficult times"?

Instead of "these difficult times", you could use phrases like "these challenging periods", "these trying circumstances", or "this period of adversity" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "in these difficult times"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "in these difficult times" is a common and accepted way to introduce a discussion about current hardships or challenges.

What is the difference between "these difficult times" and "this difficult time"?

"These difficult times" refers to a general period of hardship, while "this difficult time" typically refers to a specific, isolated instance of hardship or a singular event. For instance, "These difficult times require resilience" versus "I appreciate your support during "this difficult time"".