unmanageable difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unmanageable difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a level of difficulty that is too great to handle or cope with effectively. Example: "The project presented an unmanageable difficulty that left the team feeling overwhelmed and frustrated."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Those with problems of unmanageable debts and other financial difficulties might not find psychiatric treatment useful even though at the same time they were having symptoms of mental illnesses.

BMC Public Health

This month, at a private meeting of all four leaders of the two chambers — Mr. Reid; Mr. Boehner; Mitch McConnell, the Senate minority leader; and Nancy Pelosi, the House minority leader — Mr. Reid tried to make light of the speaker's difficulties with his more unmanageable members.

The New York Times

Most agree that historically low interest rates have allowed some borrowers to keep up repayments on debts which would otherwise have been unmanageable, and that any rare rise could push many more people into difficulty.

The Guardian - Money

A third of GPs in the UK plan to retire in the next five years because of high stress levels, unmanageable workloads and too little time with patients, in a move that would exacerbate the existing difficulty of getting an appointment.

The Guardian

The topic sounded unmanageable.

The Economist

The treaties are unmanageable.

The Economist

They have become unmanageable.

The Guardian

It gets unmanageable.

The New York Times

"Their clout is unmanageable".

The Guardian

His behaviour is unmanageable".

The Guardian - Sport

Friends found her unmanageable.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unmanageable difficulty", ensure the context clearly illustrates the severity and lack of viable solutions. Avoid overuse; consider synonyms like "insurmountable obstacle" or "overwhelming challenge" for variety.

Common error

Avoid using "unmanageable difficulty" for minor inconveniences. Reserve it for situations genuinely beyond one's capacity to handle, to maintain credibility and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unmanageable difficulty" functions as a descriptor, combining an adjective ("unmanageable") with a noun ("difficulty") to specify the nature and extent of the problem. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unmanageable difficulty" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a problem that appears impossible to resolve. While Ludwig notes its validity, it's relatively rare and carries a neutral to formal tone. It's best employed when the situation is genuinely beyond one's capacity to handle. As an alternative, consider synonyms like "insurmountable obstacle" or "overwhelming challenge" to prevent overuse or provide nuance. Remember to reserve it for situations that are truly beyond the scope of available resources or skills.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insurmountable obstacle

Replaces "difficulty" with "obstacle" and "unmanageable" with "insurmountable", suggesting a problem that cannot be overcome.

overwhelming challenge

Substitutes "difficulty" with "challenge" and "unmanageable" with "overwhelming", highlighting the magnitude of the problem.

impossible problem

Replaces "unmanageable difficulty" with "impossible problem", emphasizing the lack of a feasible solution.

uncontrollable issue

Changes "difficulty" to "issue" and "unmanageable" to "uncontrollable", focusing on the inability to govern the situation.

unsolvable dilemma

Replaces "difficulty" with "dilemma" and "unmanageable" with "unsolvable", suggesting a situation where no choice is satisfactory.

intractable problem

Uses "intractable" to describe a problem that is difficult to manage or solve.

formidable hurdle

Substitutes "difficulty" with "hurdle" and "unmanageable" with "formidable", portraying a significant barrier.

untenable situation

Describes a situation that cannot be maintained or defended due to its difficulties.

crippling setback

Indicates a hindrance that severely restricts progress, emphasizing the damaging effect of the difficulty.

unworkable predicament

Replaces "difficulty" with "predicament" and "unmanageable" with "unworkable", indicating a situation where success is not possible.

FAQs

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

Use "unmanageable difficulty" to describe a problem or challenge that is extremely hard or impossible to deal with. For example: "The project presented an "unmanageable difficulty" that the team couldn't overcome."

What are some alternatives to "unmanageable difficulty"?

You can use alternatives like "insurmountable obstacle", "overwhelming challenge", or "impossible problem depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "unmanageable difficulty" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "unmanageable difficulty" when describing a situation where the level of difficulty is so high that it seems impossible to handle or overcome. It implies a significant barrier or challenge.

What distinguishes "unmanageable difficulty" from a regular challenge?

"Unmanageable difficulty" implies a situation is beyond one's ability to control or resolve, suggesting a level of severity greater than a typical challenge. It suggests that available resources or skills are insufficient to address the problem effectively.