time of difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "time of difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a period in which a person, group, or organization is struggling with adversity or challenging circumstances. For example: "We are going through a tough time of difficulty right now, but I am sure we will get through this."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

"It's a time of difficulty, time of challenges".

The New York Times

At a time of difficulty last year I found comfort in yoga.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But he allowed that the policy "could help the restaurant greatly in a time of difficulty".

The New York Times - Food

"The greatest time of opportunity is the time of difficulty," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

Historical analogies are hard to resist, especially in a time of difficulty, because they help us identify patterns.

The New Yorker

"But I felt it was my fate to stand up and take the lead in this time of difficulty".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

"At a time of difficulties and many uncertainties and risks, people certainly choose stability and trust the country's leading political force and the government," he said, according to a meeting transcript on the Kremlin website.

The New York Times

"At a time of difficulties, considerable uncertainty and risks, people naturally choose stability and trust the leading political force," said Putin following the vote.

Huffington Post

Overall, results are counter-intuitive since one would expect that without significant social support to aid in time of difficulties, a person might be more likely to seek medical help, increasing the chances of receiving a drug prescription.

BMC Nursing

In times of difficulty you showed us the way forward to happiness and success.

The Guardian

"In times of difficulty, in times of hardship, friends stand together," Mr Sarkozy assured America's legislators.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger synonyms like "crisis" or "hardship" if the situation warrants a more impactful description.

Common error

Avoid using "time of difficulty" as a generic substitute for more precise terms. Instead, specify the nature of the difficulty, such as "economic hardship" or "political instability".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "time of difficulty" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies a period characterized by challenges, hardships, or adversity. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to describe various situations, from personal struggles to global crises.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "time of difficulty" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a period marked by challenges or adversity. As confirmed by Ludwig, it effectively serves to acknowledge hardships, provide context, or express empathy. While suitable for various registers, it's important to consider stronger synonyms, like "crisis" or "hardship", for impactful descriptions and avoid vagueness by specifying the nature of the difficulty. Frequent sources using this phrase include The New York Times, The Guardian and Huffington Post. When looking for alternatives, consider phrases like "challenging period" or "difficult circumstances".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult circumstances

Highlights the unfavorable conditions surrounding the situation.

time of adversity

Stresses the challenging and unfavorable conditions faced.

period of hardship

Emphasizes the suffering and privation involved.

trying circumstances

Highlights the testing and straining nature of the situation.

challenging period

Focuses on the demanding nature of the situation.

testing time

Highlights the nature of the period as a trial or ordeal.

troubled period

Emphasizes the anxiety and unrest associated with the time.

tough times

Offers a more colloquial and general reference to hardship.

moment of crisis

Specifies a particular instant or point of extreme difficulty.

crisis situation

Implies a critical and potentially dangerous state.

FAQs

How can I use "time of difficulty" in a sentence?

You can use "time of difficulty" to describe a period marked by challenges or adversity, such as, "The company faced a significant "time of difficulty" during the recession".

What are some alternatives to "time of difficulty"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "challenging period", "period of hardship", or "difficult circumstances".

Is it better to say "time of difficulty" or "difficult time"?

Both "time of difficulty" and "difficult time" are acceptable, but "difficult time" is generally more common and sounds more natural in contemporary English. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "time of difficulty" and "time of crisis"?

A "time of crisis" implies a more acute and urgent situation, often with potentially catastrophic consequences, while a "time of difficulty" suggests a broader period of challenge or hardship that may not be as immediately threatening.