ENGLISH
REFERENCE

difficulties

n. C / U
B1 Intermediate US //ˈdɪfəkəɫtiz// UK //dˈɪfɪkˌʌltɪz// dif·fi·cul·ties Informal

n. problems or things that are hard to deal with. You use this word when something is not easy to finish or understand.

n. the state or quality of being hard to do or to understand; plural form used to describe specific problems or obstacles.


SIMPLE

The students had some difficulties with the homework.

CONTEXTUAL

The project faced several technical difficulties during the first week of testing.

COMPLEX

Despite experiencing significant financial difficulties during the early stages of the startup, the founders remained committed to their original vision.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

The plural form 'difficulties' typically refers to specific problems, whereas the singular 'difficulty' often refers to the abstract quality of being hard.

Pitfall

I have many difficulties to speak EnglishI have many difficulties speaking EnglishThe noun is followed by a gerund (-ing form) or the preposition 'in', not a to-infinitive.

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