with extreme difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with extreme difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or task that is very challenging or hard to accomplish. Example: "She completed the marathon with extreme difficulty, pushing through the pain and exhaustion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

With the mobile phone network still out of action, it was with extreme difficulty that my sister let me know that she was extremely sick.

BBC

A person with DID will notice that their ability to perform basic tasks will fluctuate from extremely detailed and well-done, to incredibly poor and done with extreme difficulty.

WikiHow

He is overlooked only with extreme difficulty.

The Guardian - Sport

Current laws make this possible only with extreme difficulty.

The Guardian

Seriously disabled, Mr. Rose spoke with extreme difficulty from a wheelchair, his words often hard to discern.

The New York Times

The answer seems to be that if filmmakers have immersed themselves in all things Iranian while avoiding westernization, they can get along, albeit with extreme difficulty.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

FOR the second "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" episode in New Jersey in a month, ABC-TV producers found another family with extreme difficulties and another builder willing to go to extreme lengths to provide a new house within seven days — this time, with an extreme helping of high technology.

The New York Times

The JobPerspective for people with extreme difficulties of finding jobs was the smallest of all direct job creation schemes with annual inflow that never exceeded 27,000 (Table 1).

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Some of the best people have had to deal with extreme difficulties.

WikiHow

I have always been conscious that any pressure from me might cause her to abandon ship completely, so I've tried to give her plenty of space to deal with the extreme difficulty of divorce and the other things that have been stressful in her life recently.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

One could argue that we need governments to provide public goods, which are goods for which provision for one means provision for all with an extreme difficulty excluding non-payers, but the recent Tennessee fire shows that fire protection, at least in rural areas, is a private good.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a task completed "with extreme difficulty", follow up with details about the specific challenges faced. This provides context and emphasizes the accomplishment.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the outcome. While "with extreme difficulty" implies a significant challenge, ensure the result aligns with the level of effort described. Don't use it for trivial accomplishments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with extreme difficulty" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe how an action was performed. As Ludwig AI examples show, it highlights the challenging nature of completing tasks or actions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "with extreme difficulty" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that conveys a high degree of challenge and effort. According to Ludwig AI analysis, it is utilized across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, but it is less common in Academia or Formal & Business settings. Ludwig AI also shows that the phrase effectively emphasizes the magnitude of the obstacles overcome while performing an action. Therefore, when aiming to highlight a particularly arduous endeavor, "with extreme difficulty" proves to be a fitting and impactful choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with immense difficulty

Uses a stronger adjective to emphasize the high level of difficulty, close synonym to "with extreme difficulty".

with great effort

Emphasizes the amount of effort expended, rather than the inherent difficulty.

with considerable struggle

Highlights the struggle involved in overcoming the difficulty.

with significant hardship

Focuses on the hardship experienced during the challenging task.

against all odds

Implies that success was achieved despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

barely managing to

Suggests a narrow margin of success, with the outcome being uncertain.

by the skin of one's teeth

Indicates a very close call, where failure was narrowly avoided.

with much tribulation

Emphasizes the suffering and hardship endured during the process.

after a Herculean effort

Alludes to a task requiring immense strength and effort, like those performed by Hercules.

with uphill struggle

Implies facing constant resistance or obstacles making progress very hard and slow.

FAQs

How can I use "with extreme difficulty" in a sentence?

You can use "with extreme difficulty" to describe a situation or task that is very challenging. For example, "She completed the project "with extreme difficulty", overcoming numerous obstacles along the way."

What are some alternatives to "with extreme difficulty"?

Alternatives include "with great effort", "with considerable struggle", or "with significant hardship", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "with extreme difficulty"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English to indicate that something was achieved despite significant challenges.

What's the difference between "with difficulty" and "with extreme difficulty"?

"With difficulty" implies a general level of challenge, while "with extreme difficulty" suggests a significantly higher level of hardship and struggle. The latter emphasizes the intensity of the challenge faced.