various difficulties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "various difficulties" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to a range of challenges or problems. You can use this phrase when describing a situation or task that has multiple obstacles or issues to overcome. Example: The project faced various difficulties, including budget constraints, staffing issues, and technical complications.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now, though, the various difficulties of running a clam shack are putting the squeeze on a New England tradition.

The New York Times

On that occasion she'd kept rolling her eyes at whatever he was saying — something, I gathered, about various difficulties he was having at work.

The New Yorker

9. (SBU) In discussing the various difficulties facing the sector, Summers complained about the perennial problem of a lack of adequate access to Gazprom's pipelines.

The Guardian

Luria catalogues various difficulties that S. experienced navigating everyday life, linking them to profound deficits he identified in S.'s ability to conceive the world in abstract terms.

The New Yorker

She began to tell me about her various difficulties — visits from corrupt fire inspectors, the broken mail system, the country's ingrained sexism, and logjams with bogus bureaucracy.

The New Yorker

Their managing director, Jackie Scott, is a wheelchair user and therefore has personal experience of the various difficulties that can arise.

The Guardian - Travel

"The hard work of people up and down the country and the enormous potential of China's economy gives us more confidence that we can overcome the various difficulties," he said.

The Guardian - Business

Together the members of Team Concordia have fixed washing machines, celebrated birthdays, helped one another though various difficulties and, more important, conducted science — the principal reason we are living here in Antarctica overwinter.

The New York Times

His case that baseball is peaking acknowledges the sport's various difficulties (the Hall of Fame's steroid problems, the pace of games, the Florida Marlins), but then follows with this: But overall the sport has never been better.

The New York Times

In order to resolve the various difficulties in the hydrogen hydroxide ion definitions of acids and bases, a new, more generalized definition was proposed in 1923 almost simultaneously by J.M. Brønsted and T.M. Lowry.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Practicing veterinarians encounter various difficulties in examining animals by echocardiography.

International Congress Series

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "various difficulties", be specific about the nature of the challenges if possible. For example, "The project encountered various difficulties, including funding shortages and scheduling conflicts."

Common error

Avoid using "various difficulties" as a placeholder for a lack of detail. If you can't specify the difficulties, consider rephrasing to express uncertainty or general challenges.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "various difficulties" functions as a noun phrase acting as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. It denotes a collection of unspecified problems or challenges, as confirmed by Ludwig AI and the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "various difficulties" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression for indicating the presence of multiple challenges or problems. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage. While its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts, remember to be specific about the difficulties when possible. Alternatives such as "assorted difficulties" or "numerous difficulties" can add nuance to your writing. When writing, remember that specifying the challenges provides more clarity for the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assorted difficulties

Emphasizes the diverse nature of the challenges, highlighting their differences.

numerous difficulties

Highlights the high quantity of problems encountered.

multiple difficulties

Simply indicates more than one difficulty, without emphasis on type or quantity.

other difficulties

Refers to additional problems beyond those already mentioned.

certain difficulties

Implies that specific, though perhaps unnamed, problems exist.

various complexities

Focuses on the intricate and involved nature of the challenges.

various complications

Suggests problems that arise unexpectedly and make a situation harder to manage.

various hurdles

Suggests obstacles that must be overcome to achieve a goal.

various hardships

Emphasizes the severity and burden of the difficulties.

various adversities

Highlights the negative and unfavorable conditions faced.

FAQs

How can I use "various difficulties" in a sentence?

You can use "various difficulties" to describe a situation with multiple problems. For example: "The company faced various difficulties during the merger."

What are some alternatives to "various difficulties"?

You can use alternatives like "assorted difficulties", "numerous difficulties", or "multiple difficulties" depending on the context.

Is it better to list specific problems instead of saying "various difficulties"?

Listing specific problems is generally more informative. However, "various difficulties" can be useful when a comprehensive list is impractical or unnecessary.

What is the difference between "various difficulties" and "various challenges"?

"Various difficulties" generally implies negative problems, while "various challenges" can refer to opportunities for growth or improvement.