with much difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with much difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the amount of effort it takes to accomplish something. For example, "She finally passed the test with much difficulty."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

On railings outside train stations and the shopping centre we attached them with much difficulty.

The Guardian

He carried it home to Westport, with much difficulty, during the rush hour.

The New Yorker

The answer is, in this work devised by director Katie Mitchell and the company, with much difficulty.

The Guardian

This time they made the bonus but only with much difficulty as James took control after Clermont had turned round trailing by four points.

The Guardian - Sport

Recorded in secret with much difficulty, it was played at the festival's launch and again during Asian Dub Foundation's opening Music of Resistance concert last Saturday.

The Guardian

In his room was a handwritten note that he had scrawled, with much difficulty, sometime in the last year, Ms. Loveless said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Response options: 1-without any difficulty, 2-with some difficulty, 3-with much difficulty, 4-unable to do.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

With this much difficulty with a simple structural model, a more complex and layered computer model, as are the ones currently populating the industry, would prove to be too burdensome and laborious for efficient field interpretation.

Visualization in Engineering

But we believe that gays can live with such exemptions without much difficulty.

The New York Times

Viewed in this light, the play's tragic ending which provided the author with so much difficulty seemed to have a terrible logic.

The Guardian

However, he's less convinced that newspapers can escape the "vicious cycle" that has left them with so much difficulty representing the wider public.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To strengthen the impact, follow the phrase with an explanation of the specific obstacles encountered, providing context and emphasizing the magnitude of the challenge.

Common error

While "with much difficulty" is appropriate when significant effort is involved, avoid using it excessively, especially when simpler phrases like "with some difficulty" or "laboriously" could suffice. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with much difficulty" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb, adjective, or clause to describe how an action is performed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys the significant effort involved in accomplishing something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

37%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "with much difficulty" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that effectively conveys the significant effort or struggle involved in completing a task. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a versatile phrase applicable across various contexts, though predominantly found in scientific and news-related content.

While "with much difficulty" clearly indicates a high degree of effort, it's important to consider the specific context and explore alternatives like "with considerable effort" or "laboriously" to ensure the most precise and impactful expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with considerable effort

Replaces "difficulty" with "effort", emphasizing the exertion required.

with great struggle

Substitutes "difficulty" with "struggle", highlighting the arduous nature of the task.

with a lot of trouble

Uses "trouble" instead of "difficulty", indicating problems encountered during the process.

against the odds

Implies success despite significant obstacles, shifting the focus to overcoming challenges.

laboriously

Expresses the action itself was completed in a laborious way.

with extreme exertion

Replaces 'difficulty' with 'exertion', stressing the physical or mental energy expended.

not without hardship

Highlights the presence of hardship, adding an emotional dimension to the effort.

with challenge

More concise and less intense than the original phrase.

through trial and tribulation

Signifies enduring multiple hardships and difficulties.

against all odds

Expresses the event required strength to accomplish it.

FAQs

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

You can use "with much difficulty" to describe an action or task that was hard to accomplish. For example, "He completed the project "with much difficulty" due to lack of resources".

What are some alternatives to "with much difficulty"?

Alternatives include "with considerable effort", "with great struggle", or "laboriously". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "with much difficulty" or should I use another phrase?

"With much difficulty" is grammatically correct and widely accepted. However, consider the context; alternatives like "with considerable difficulty" or "with great effort" might be more appropriate depending on what you would like to express.

What's the difference between "with some difficulty" and "with much difficulty"?

"With some difficulty" indicates a moderate level of challenge, while "with much difficulty" implies a significantly greater struggle or obstacle. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the intensity of the effort involved.