without much difficulty

USAGE SUMMARY

"without much difficulty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an event or task that you were able to complete without a lot of effort. For example, "I finished my assignment without much difficulty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Human beings spontaneously form identifications and identities without much difficulty.

Harvard University

I can recall entire sequences without much difficulty.

The New Yorker

She was willing to make tough calls without much difficulty".

The New York Times - Science

These shares only hold value for insiders if they can be liquidated without much difficulty.

Columbia University

The approach developed can be applied to multi-guide cases without much difficulty.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Both familiar and unfamiliar referents were illustrated pictorially without much difficulty by users.

Applied Ergonomics

However, diffusion bonding can be used to join these alloys without much difficulty.

Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China

Are our customers committed to us, or could they move to our competitors without much difficulty?

Harvard Business Review

In the UK, I managed to buy it for £3 a bundle without much difficulty.

The Guardian

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

The New York Times

She was taken to Ellis Island anyway but admitted without much difficulty.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without much difficulty" to clearly communicate the ease with which a task or process was completed. This phrase is particularly useful when contrasting an expectation of difficulty with the actual experience.

Common error

Avoid using "without much difficulty" excessively in passive constructions. Instead of saying 'The problem was solved without much difficulty', opt for a more direct and active voice: 'They solved the problem without much difficulty'. This makes your writing more concise and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without much difficulty" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase. It modifies verbs or clauses to describe the manner in which an action is performed, indicating that it was done with ease and minimal effort. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

37%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "without much difficulty" is a versatile and common expression used to indicate that something was accomplished easily and with minimal effort. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and suitable for a wide range of contexts, including news, science, and academic writing. While there are several alternatives, such as "with relative ease" or "with little effort", "without much difficulty" provides a clear and straightforward way to convey simplicity in completion. Remember to avoid overusing it in passive constructions for more engaging writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with relative ease

Replaces "much difficulty" with a more general term for easiness, implying a comparative level of simplicity.

with little effort

Substitutes "difficulty" with "effort", focusing on the minimal exertion required.

without significant trouble

Uses "trouble" instead of "difficulty", suggesting the absence of major problems.

fairly easily

Employs the adverb "easily" to emphasize the straightforward nature of the task.

with no major hurdles

Replaces the abstract concept of difficulty with the more concrete image of "hurdles", highlighting the lack of obstacles.

almost effortlessly

Highlights the minimal effort involved to the point where it seems almost automatic.

quite smoothly

Focuses on the seamless and uninterrupted nature of the process.

with minimal resistance

Shifts the focus to the lack of opposition or challenge encountered.

in a straightforward manner

Emphasizes the direct and uncomplicated way in which something is done.

with no complications

Focuses on the absence of complex or problematic elements.

FAQs

How can I use "without much difficulty" in a sentence?

You can use "without much difficulty" to describe how easily something was accomplished. For example, 'She passed the exam "without much difficulty"' or 'The software was installed "without much difficulty"'.

What are some alternatives to saying "without much difficulty"?

Alternatives to "without much difficulty" include "with relative ease", "with little effort", or "fairly easily". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "without much difficulty"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "without much difficulty". It is a common and accepted phrase in standard English.

What's the difference between "without much difficulty" and "without any difficulty"?

"Without much difficulty" implies that there may have been some minor challenges, but they were not significant. "Without any difficulty" suggests that there were absolutely no problems or obstacles encountered. The choice depends on the precise level of ease you want to express.