we are having difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

'we are having difficulty' is a perfectly grammatical sentence in written English.
You can use this expression in many contexts when you want to emphasize that something is more difficult than usual. For example: We are having difficulty meeting our goals this quarter due to the unexpected economic downturn.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

We are having difficulty filling all positions in special education".

The New York Times

We are comfortable to say we are having difficulty".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We are having difficulty finding qualified workers to fill these openings.

The New York Times

"We are having difficulty understanding Australia's climate change policies and their new environmental regime.

The Guardian

4. We are having difficulty locating Adam Shapiro from Patently Open Source.

MIT Technology Review

"Now we are having difficulty keeping up with patient requests for their own medical student".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"The payment depends on tax collections, and as everyone knows, we are having difficulties with revenues".

The New York Times

We are having difficulties finding the money for medication and a blood transfusion".

The New York Times - Health

We are having difficulties reaching affected areas due to a lack of vehicles and helicopters," said Krishna Gyawali, the most senior bureaucrat in Sindhulpalchowk district.

The Guardian

And we are having difficulties".

BBC

We are having difficulties finding replacements for our retiring employees.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we are having difficulty", follow it with a specific explanation of what is causing the difficulty to provide context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "we are having difficulty" without specifying what the difficulty is. Always provide context to ensure your message is clear and actionable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we are having difficulty" functions as a statement of present experience, indicating that a challenge or obstacle is currently being faced. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness. It is commonly used to introduce an explanation of a problem or to seek assistance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we are having difficulty" is a grammatically correct and common phrase used to express that a challenge or obstacle is currently being faced. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness. Its versatility makes it suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports to academic discussions. When using this phrase, clarity is key; always specify the nature of the difficulty to provide context. Alternatives such as "we are struggling" or "we are facing challenges" can be used to adjust the tone to be more informal or formal, respectively. Remember that this phrase is most effective when followed by a specific explanation, as evidenced by the diverse examples provided by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are having a hard time

This is a more emphatic way of expressing difficulty.

we are struggling

This alternative is less formal and implies a continuous effort against the difficulty.

we are not finding it easy

This phrases expresses the same meaning through litotes (understatement).

we are facing challenges

This is a more formal way of expressing difficulty, often used in business contexts.

we are encountering problems

This alternative is similar in formality to "facing challenges" and highlights the presence of specific issues.

we are finding it hard

This is a more informal and direct way of saying that something is difficult.

we are experiencing setbacks

This alternative suggests temporary delays or reversals in progress.

we are in a bind

This idiom suggests a restrictive or problematic situation.

we are up against it

This idiom implies facing considerable opposition or obstacles.

we are laboring under difficulties

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of expressing the main query.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we are having difficulty" in a formal context?

In formal settings, consider alternatives such as "we are facing challenges", or "we are encountering problems" to maintain a professional tone.

What's a more casual way to say "we are having difficulty"?

For informal situations, you could say "we are struggling", or "we are having a hard time".

Is it grammatically correct to say "we are having difficulties"?

Yes, both "we are having difficulty" and "we are having difficulties" are grammatically correct. "Difficulty" is often used as an uncountable noun, but it can also be countable to refer to specific instances.

What's the difference between "we are having difficulty" and "we are experiencing difficulty"?

"We are having difficulty" is generally more common and direct. "We are experiencing difficulty" is slightly more formal and can imply a temporary or ongoing situation. Semantically, there is not a big difference.