Difficulty I ˈdɪfɪkəlti English We’ve Run Children Learning

• the difficulties of english syntax
• children with severe learning difficulties
• we’ve run into difficulties/difficulty with the new project.
• he got into difficulties while swimming and had to be rescued.

difficulty

1. a problem; a thing or situation that causes problems
• the difficulties of English syntax
• children with severe learning difficulties
• We’ve run into difficulties/difficulty with the new project.
• He got into difficulties while swimming and had to be rescued.
• The bank is in difficulty/difficulties.
• It was a time fraught with difficulties and frustration.
2. the state or quality of being hard to do or to understand; the effort that something involves
• I had considerable difficulty (in) persuading her to leave.
• I had no difficulty (in) making myself understood.
• The changes were made with surprisingly little difficulty.
• He spoke slowly and with great difficulty.
• We found the house without difficulty.
• They discussed the difficulty of studying abroad.
3. how hard something is
• varying levels of difficulty
• questions of increasing difficulty

Extra Examples

• Anyone experiencing difficulty with radio reception should call us on the new helpline.
• Despite all the difficulties, he still remains optimistic.
• Difficulties arise when people fail to consult their colleagues.
• English spelling presents special difficulties for foreign learners.
• I had little difficulty in persuading the others to come.
• I think we’ve managed to overcome most of the practical difficulties.
• I’m having difficulty with the engine.
• Let me know if you have any difficulties.
• Life in the city was not without its difficulties.
• Please report any difficulties to the help desk.
• She had difficulty in starting her car.
• She is always making difficulties for herself.
• Some companies are already in difficulty.
• Some companies are getting into difficulty.
• The difficulty lies in identifying the precise nature of the problem.
• The games have various different levels of difficulty.
• The plan has run into serious difficulties.
• The situation was fraught with difficulty.
• This increases the difficulty of the shot.
• We could see that the swimmer was in difficulties.
• We crossed the border without any difficulty.
• We had enormous difficulty in getting hold of the right equipment.
• Will it cause any difficulties if I go early?
• children with learning difficulties
• how to avoid technical difficulties
• the difficulties inherent in treating overdose patients
• the difficulty of finding affordable accommodation
• I had considerable difficulty in persuading her to leave.
• I had no difficulty making myself understood.
• The bank is in difficulty at the moment.
• The project has been fraught with problems/difficulties from the start.
• We found the house without difficulty.
• We’ve run into difficulties with the new project.
• What should you do if you see someone in difficulties/difficulty in the water?

Word Origin

• late Middle English (in the senses ‘requiring effort or skill’ and ‘something difficult’): from Latin difficultas, from dis- (expressing reversal) + facultas ‘ability, opportunity’.