difficulty
difficulty — noun
1. how much effort, skill, or mental work you need in order to do something, deal w
how much effort, skill, or mental work you need in order to do something, deal with it, or understand it.
Faisal finished the marathon despite the difficulty of the hilly course.
collocation: despite the difficulty
The difficulty of the maths problem made two students raise their hands for help.
collocation: the difficulty of [something]
Sivan understood the difficulty of learning a new language at age forty.
We underestimated the difficulty of moving a piano up three flights of stairs.
Rania climbed the steep trail without difficulty despite her fear of heights.
- ease
The quality of being easy or effortless
- simplicity
The quality of being simple or uncomplicated
文法句型
difficulty of [noun/gerund]
with/without difficulty
have difficulty (in) doing
用法筆記
Typically uncountable. Common in 'the difficulty of [something]' and 'with/without difficulty' structures.
常見錯誤
2. something that causes trouble or makes a task, situation, or relationship hard t
something that causes trouble or makes a task, situation, or relationship hard to deal with.
Christopher had difficulties finding a babysitter for Saturday night.
pattern: have difficulties (in) doing something
The company faced serious financial difficulties after the factory fire.
collocation: financial difficulties
Tunde's visa difficulties meant he missed the start of the semester.
Despite some initial difficulties, the project was finished ahead of schedule.
The new software caused unexpected difficulties for the accounting team.
- problem
More general and everyday; can be small or large
- obstacle
Something that blocks progress or stands in the way
- complication
An unexpected difficulty that makes a situation more complex
文法句型
have difficulties (in) doing
face difficulties
cause difficulties
run into difficulties
用法筆記
Countable noun. When referring to many specific obstacles, the plural form 'difficulties' is the norm.
常見錯誤
3. a state in which a person, group, or organisation is experiencing trouble, hards
a state in which a person, group, or organisation is experiencing trouble, hardship, or a challenging situation that is hard to escape from.
The hikers were in serious difficulty when the storm hit without warning.
phrase: be in difficulty
Our team ran into difficulties when the main server stopped working.
phrase: run into difficulties
The charity helps families who find themselves in financial difficulty.
Haruto was in difficulty with his rent after his work hours were cut.
Jessica's company got into difficulties during the economic downturn last year.
- ease
A comfortable or effortless situation
- prosperity
A state of success and financial well-being
文法句型
be in difficulty
get into difficulty
find oneself in difficulty
have difficulties
run into difficulties
用法筆記
Fixed expressions only; this sense almost never appears as a standalone countable noun. The noun is typically singular in 'in difficulty' and plural in 'in difficulties' or 'have difficulties'.