difficulty in vs difficulty with

Both 'difficulty in' and 'difficulty with' are commonly used phrases in English, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'Difficulty in' is typically used when referring to the act of doing something that is hard, while 'difficulty with' is used when talking about having trouble or problems with something or someone.

Last updated: March 28, 2024 • 3605 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"difficulty in"

This phrase is used when referring to the act of doing something that is hard or challenging. It is often followed by a verb or a gerund.

Examples:

She had difficulty in understanding the instructions.
I am having difficulty in solving this math problem.
There is a lot of difficulty in finding a solution to this issue.

Show examples from the web [+]

Victims of Chernobyl have faced considerable difficulty in getting recognition.
I myself have some difficulty in understanding the reason for rejecting this report.
They have presented the greatest difficulty in 2000 and 2001.
Government finance statistics of these annual data progressed without difficulty in 2002.
Unexpected curfew presents difficulty in reaching it unnoticed.
The relatively low implementation rate reflects the difficulty in planning payment needs.
On the contrary, Miss Mackay experienced... the utmost difficulty in persuading me to stay.
He had no difficulty in finding the place.
At present all the developed countries are having difficulty in managing the various aspects of globalisation.
That's a promise you may have some difficulty in keeping.
We therefore had no difficulty in following you.
Of the 50 species loaded, only one has had any difficulty in surviving.
The 1999 guidelines also included a specific section on restructuring firms in difficulty in the agricultural sector.
It is the Council that always has great difficulty in reaching a common position.
A supreme court judge noted the difficulty in accessing academic works published in other Member States.
Furthermore, in many Member States, shipowners have difficulty in finding crew trained at national level.
I had difficulty in solving this problem.
Communications reports difficulty in contacting our forward posts.
Within this Parliament we may have difficulty in looking at this overall relationship.
The Commission generally has the utmost difficulty in getting European directives moving.

Alternatives:

struggling with
having trouble with
finding it hard to
facing challenges in
encountering difficulties in

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"difficulty with"

This phrase is used when talking about having trouble or problems with something or someone. It is often followed by a noun or pronoun.

Examples:

She has difficulty with public speaking.
He is having difficulty with his new computer.
I have difficulty with understanding complex theories.

Alternatives:

struggling with
having trouble with
facing challenges with
finding it hard to deal with
encountering difficulties with

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difficulty in vs difficulty with

"difficulty in"

"difficulty with"

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