this very difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

"this very difficulty" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a specific difficulty which has been mentioned or described previously. For example: "After much deliberation, the committee ultimately decided to table the proposal due to this very difficulty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It may seem paradoxical, but this very difficulty may be why evangelical churches emphasize a personal, intimate God.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But the very difficulty of taking on this issue is part of its virtue.

The New York Times

It was the very difficulty of passing on this narrow city street track that helped ensure that Webber, who started from the pole position - his third in a row - had done most of the work during qualifying on Saturday.

The New York Times

However, the very difficulty and laboriousness of the process led Freud to a crucial insight.

The New Yorker

"Part of the reason it seems so popular is the very difficulty of pinning down what it is," Mr. von Slatt added.

The New York Times

Of course, the very difficulty of qualifying for the Boston Marathon explains part of the appeal of sneaking in.

The New York Times - Health

Or maybe the very difficulty of predicting the outcome makes rummaging through the past for a vision of the future more seductive.

The New York Times

The finding proved both influential and controversial, but ultimately more important was the very difficulty of establishing a rate at all.

The New Yorker

The form of the book reflects the very difficulty of the imaginative act each person is expected to perform: taking himself out of his own reality, back through time, into the shock of enslavement.

The New Yorker

It is the very difficulty and expense of short-selling that makes it worth watching.

Forbes

Who is to say that a president won't use the very difficulty of naming an online enemy as an excuse to blame a more convenient target?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this very difficulty" to clearly refer back to a specific problem previously mentioned. Avoid using it vaguely or without proper context.

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of "this very difficulty" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms such as "this particular challenge" or "the aforementioned obstacle".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this very difficulty" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to a specific problem or challenge that has already been mentioned or is understood within the context. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this very difficulty" is a grammatically correct and usable noun phrase used to emphasize a specific problem or challenge. Ludwig AI confirms this. While relatively rare, it appears in a variety of contexts, including news media and scientific writing. When using the phrase, ensure that the difficulty being referenced is clearly established in the preceding text. Though grammatically sound, overuse can make writing sound repetitive, making synonyms such as "this particular hardship" useful alternatives. Finally, the source and expert quality assessment confirms that this is a valid construction but also gives some points on how to avoid overuse it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this particular hardship

Substitutes "difficulty" with "hardship" and "very" with "particular", emphasizing the burdensome aspect.

this specific challenge

Replaces "difficulty" with "challenge", framing the issue as something to be overcome.

this precise problem

Uses "problem" instead of "difficulty", suggesting a more concrete issue.

the aforementioned obstacle

Replaces "this very difficulty" with a more formal term for a barrier.

the exact predicament

Employs "predicament" to highlight a difficult or dangerous situation.

the situation at hand

Offers a broader term to refer to the problematic circumstances.

the present struggle

Focuses on the effort required to overcome the difficulty.

the issue in question

Highlights the subject of discussion as a point of difficulty.

the matter under consideration

Emphasizes the formal assessment of the difficulty.

the central complication

Highlights that the difficulty is the main problem.

FAQs

How can I use "this very difficulty" in a sentence?

Use "this very difficulty" to refer back to a specific problem or challenge that you've already discussed. For example: "The project faced numerous setbacks. "This very difficulty" ultimately led to its cancellation."

What are some alternatives to saying "this very difficulty"?

Alternatives include phrases like "this particular hardship", "this specific challenge", or "the aforementioned obstacle", depending on the specific context.

Is "this very difficulty" formal or informal?

"This very difficulty" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, consider your audience and choose the most appropriate phrasing.

What's the difference between "this very difficulty" and "this difficulty"?

Adding "very" emphasizes the specific nature and potentially the significance of the difficulty. It highlights that the speaker or writer is referring to a particular, perhaps notable, difficulty.