this difficult phase

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this difficult phase" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a challenging period in someone's life or a situation that is currently being experienced. Example: "During this difficult phase, it's important to seek support from friends and family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Many thanks to all contributing staff who helped maintain uninterrupted, efficient service during this difficult phase.

Columbia University

Today's joint statement says: " Hefce and the board of governors are committed to ensuring that the university moves through this difficult phase as quickly as possible.

The Guardian

Voestalpine said that the European financial crisis had "left its marks" on the company but that it was "using this difficult phase to refashion the group".

The New York Times

We must talk about the banks and how they get through this difficult phase … We must ensure that this bazooka, the European rescue fund, is strong enough to show the market that we mean it.

The Guardian

"I feel a great sense of determination here in Portugal to overcome this difficult phase," Ms. Merkel said at a news conference in Lisbon, carried live on German television, after holding talks with Pedro Passos Coelho, the prime minister.

The New York Times

And I call on all sons and daughters of Tunisia from the various political and ideological orientations, and from all groups and parties, to exhibit the spirit of patriotism and unity in order to enable our country, which is dear to all of us, to overcome this difficult phase and restore its security and stability.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Well, there was Threshers, and I thank them for all their support during that difficult phase.

The Guardian - Travel

The children are quite grown up now, my eldest is 20 and the others are 18, 16 and 12, so we are through the difficult phase.

The Guardian

As Dolores described in a 1977 interview, they shot documentaries, worked in film processing laboratories, sold projection apparatuses, and participated in the politics surrounding cinema during the difficult phase of the Mexican Revolution known as carrancismo (Ehlers n.p.).

Columbia University

"To remain, we had to stick to the training schedule and that helped us during that difficult phase.

BBC

"I think mining will be the future, but this is a difficult phase," said Jens B. Frederiksen, Greenland's housing and infrastructure minister and a deputy premier.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Emphasize resilience and strategies for overcoming the challenges presented by "this difficult phase". Focusing on solutions can provide a more constructive and positive message.

Common error

Avoid using "this difficult phase" without providing any specific details about what makes the phase difficult. This can leave the reader feeling uninformed and disconnected from the issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this difficult phase" functions as a noun phrase, where "difficult" modifies the noun "phase", and "this" acts as a determiner, specifying a particular period or stage. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this difficult phase" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that refers to a specific period marked by challenges. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and it's found across various contexts like news, academic writing, and personal communication. While relatively uncommon, its usage is straightforward: provide context, acknowledge challenges, and focus on solutions. Alternatives like ""this challenging period"" or ""this tough time"" offer similar meanings with slight differences in formality or emphasis. When writing, avoid overgeneralizing the difficulty and strive to offer specifics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this challenging period

Replaces 'difficult' with 'challenging', maintaining a focus on the demanding nature of the time.

this trying period

Replaces 'difficult' with 'trying', highlighting the stressful or testing aspect of the situation.

this tough time

Substitutes 'difficult phase' with the more informal 'tough time'.

this problematic stage

Focuses on the troublesome aspects of the current phase.

this period of hardship

Emphasizes the suffering or adversity experienced during this phase.

this critical juncture

Emphasizes the importance and potential consequences of the current situation.

this time of adversity

Similar to hardship, highlighting the challenging and unfavorable circumstances.

this transitional period

Highlights that the current difficulty is part of a larger shift or change.

this rough patch

Uses a more idiomatic expression to describe a period of difficulty.

this moment of crisis

Highlights the critical and potentially unstable nature of the current situation.

FAQs

How can I use "this difficult phase" in a sentence?

You can use "this difficult phase" to describe a challenging period in someone's life or a particular situation. For example: "During "this difficult phase", it's important to seek support from friends and family."

What can I say instead of "this difficult phase"?

Alternatives include "this challenging period", "this tough time", or "this trying period" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "this difficult phase" or "a difficult phase"?

The choice depends on the context. "This difficult phase" refers to a specific, identifiable period of difficulty, while "a difficult phase" refers to a difficult period in a more general sense.

What's the difference between "this difficult phase" and "this challenging time"?

While similar, "this difficult phase" might imply a structured period with distinct stages, whereas "this challenging time" simply refers to a period that is demanding or testing.