when difficulties arise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when difficulties arise" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to situations where challenges or problems occur. Example: "When difficulties arise, it is important to remain calm and seek solutions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

I cannot explain it; but when difficulties arise, I am not perplexed or doubtful.

The New Yorker

He has suggested action could be taken "when difficulties arise in a particular industry and in a specific region".

The Guardian

Companies may not admit legal responsibility for their subsidiaries when difficulties arise, but they certainly take responsibility for the cash they generate.

The Guardian

When difficulties arise as to what to make of a work of art or when several conflicting interpretations come to mind, how is the difficulty to be resolved?

Encyclopedia Britannica

By establishing a cautious approach to trust from the start and keeping your files of correspondence and key documents up to date you may be able to avoid contention when difficulties arise.

Harvard University

Therefore, they argue, they are not responsible for damage to local populations due to the shortcomings in their subsidiaries' performance". Companies may not admit legal responsibility for their subsidiaries when difficulties arise, but they certainly take responsibility for the cash they generate.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

And so many people across the world have sought to support your efforts, sharing with you a sense of pride when democracy is advanced and sharing your disappointment when difficulties arose.

The New York Times

When difficulties arose, I always remembered that challenges were speed bumps, not roadblocks.

HuffPost

When minor difficulties arise, no one is willing to let local managers continue to handle things themselves.

Harvard Business Review

At the meeting, the primates decided to form a commission to examine, as they said in their statement, the "theological and legal" ramifications of how to keep the Anglican Communion intact when "grave difficulties arise" between and within the provinces.

The New York Times

When swallowing difficulties arise, the use of feeding tubes may be required.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "when difficulties arise", ensure the sentence clearly indicates the action or response that should follow the emergence of these difficulties.

Common error

While "when difficulties arise" is acceptable in many situations, overuse in formal writing can make the text sound repetitive. Vary your language with alternatives like "in the event of complications" or "should challenges emerge" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when difficulties arise" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by specifying when the action in the main clause occurs. Ludwig indicates that it is a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

48%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Academia

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when difficulties arise" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that introduces a conditional situation where problems or challenges occur. As Ludwig confirms, it's a correct and versatile phrase suitable for various contexts, though it's essential to ensure clarity in the sentence structure. Consider using alternative phrases in formal writing to avoid repetition and tailor the tone to the specific audience. The phrase is most frequently found in scientific and news-related contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when challenges emerge

Replaces 'difficulties' with 'challenges' and 'arise' with 'emerge', altering the tone slightly.

when problems occur

Substitutes 'difficulties' for 'problems' and 'arise' for 'occur', using more straightforward language.

if complications develop

Uses 'complications' instead of 'difficulties' and 'develop' instead of 'arise', suggesting a more complex situation.

in times of trouble

Expresses the idea more generally, focusing on periods of difficulty rather than the moment they appear.

should issues surface

Replaces 'difficulties' with 'issues' and 'arise' with 'surface', using a slightly less formal tone.

when obstacles present themselves

Emphasizes the active appearance of obstacles, rather than the passive arising of difficulties.

as setbacks happen

Focuses on 'setbacks', implying a hindrance to progress, instead of general 'difficulties'.

if snags develop

Uses the informal term 'snags' for difficulties, suggesting minor problems.

when adversities befall

Employs more formal language with 'adversities' and 'befall', indicating significant hardship.

in the event of hardship

Frames the situation as a potential event of hardship, rather than a guaranteed occurrence of difficulties.

FAQs

How can I use "when difficulties arise" in a sentence?

Use "when difficulties arise" to introduce a condition or situation in which problems or challenges emerge. For example, "When difficulties arise, it's crucial to maintain open communication within the team."

What can I say instead of "when difficulties arise"?

You can use alternatives like "when challenges emerge", "if problems occur", or "should issues surface depending on the context.

Is "when difficulties arise" formal or informal?

"When difficulties arise" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although slightly more formal alternatives might be preferable in highly professional settings.

What's the difference between "when difficulties arise" and "when complications develop"?

"When difficulties arise" refers to any kind of problem emerging, while "when complications develop" suggests that the problems are more complex and intertwined.