under difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is facing challenges or obstacles in completing a task or achieving something. Example: "She managed to complete the project under difficulty, but her determination paid off in the end."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Perhaps it was inevitable that India would call to Gedney: His work, the MOMA curator John Szarkowski wrote, was a study "of people living precariously under difficulty," and there were millions upon millions of such people to be found here.

The New Yorker

They live under difficulty conditions …….. do not help them to develop their human potential.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

We're looking to score points with the judges under difficulty and originality.

Huffington Post

For each of the five big areas, if the student showed evidence of any difficulty with underlying components, that response was coded under difficulty for that big area.

CBE Life Sciences Education

At District level, coordination between poorly resourced Government Departments, communities and better resourced NGOs through the Learning Alliances have managed to register remarkable project outputs under difficulty socio-economic conditions.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Daugherty operated under difficulties, though.

The New Yorker

A typical activity was a dinner in 1939 followed by a talk, "Trout Fishing Under Difficulties".

The New York Times

He dictated all the fifteen books he turned out, and was used to working under difficulties and against odds.

The New Yorker

In a way it symbolizes the city: life under difficulties, growth against odds, sap-rise in the midst of concrete, and the steady reach for the sun.

The New York Times

In a way it symbolizes the city: life under difficulties, growth against odds, sap-rise in the midst of concrete, and the steady reaching for the sun.

The New York Times

"Universities are far behind civic organizations like these," said Mr. Kett, the author of "The Pursuit of Knowledge Under Difficulties," a study of self-improvement and adult education in the United States.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "under difficulty", ensure the context clearly indicates the nature of the challenges being faced. Providing specific examples of these difficulties can strengthen your writing.

Common error

While "under difficulty" is grammatically correct, avoid overusing it in formal writing where more precise or sophisticated phrasing might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "despite challenges" or "in the face of adversity".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under difficulty" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to describe the circumstances or conditions in which an action is performed or a state exists. It indicates that something is done or experienced while facing challenges or obstacles, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "under difficulty" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe situations where actions are performed or states exist despite challenges. While not overly common, it is found in various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. According to Ludwig, this phrase generally maintains a neutral to formal register. To enhance writing, ensure that the nature of the difficulty is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Consider stronger alternatives like "in challenging circumstances" or "under adverse conditions" to add nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in challenging circumstances

Emphasizes the situational aspect of the difficulty.

under adverse conditions

More formal and emphasizes unfavorable circumstances.

amidst hardship

Highlights the presence of suffering or deprivation.

in trying conditions

Focuses on the testing or straining nature of the situation.

in the face of adversity

Emphasizes resilience and confronting difficulties head-on.

subject to hardship

Highlights that someone is suffering difficulty.

in a predicament

Focuses on a difficult or unpleasant situation.

in a bind

Emphasizes a restrictive or constrained situation.

under duress

Highlights the presence of coercion or pressure.

in extremis

Latin term indicating a dire or extreme situation.

FAQs

How can I use "under difficulty" in a sentence?

You can use "under difficulty" to describe a situation where someone is facing challenges or obstacles while trying to achieve something. For instance, "She completed the project "under difficulty" due to limited resources".

What are some alternatives to "under difficulty"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in challenging circumstances", "amidst hardship", or "under adverse conditions", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "under difficulties" instead of "under difficulty"?

While both forms can be found, "under difficulty" is generally preferred and more common. "Difficulties" can be used when emphasizing multiple distinct challenges, but "difficulty" often suffices to encompass the overall challenging situation.

What is the difference between "under difficulty" and "in difficulty"?

"Under difficulty" typically describes the conditions during which an action is performed, while "in difficulty" generally describes the state of being troubled or facing problems. For example, "He worked "under difficulty"" versus "He is "in difficulty"".