DIFFICULTY


Meaning of DIFFICULTY in English

noun

ADJECTIVE

▪ considerable , enormous , extreme , grave , great , major , real , serious , severe

We had enormous ~ in getting hold of the right equipment.

▪ insurmountable

▪ increasing

questions of increasing ~

▪ inherent

the difficulties inherent in treating overdose patients

▪ potential

▪ particular , special

English spelling presents special difficulties for foreign learners.

▪ economic , financial

▪ practical , technical

I think we've managed to overcome most of the practical difficulties.

▪ behavioural/behavioral , emotional , learning

children with learning difficulties

… OF DIFFICULTY

▪ level

The games have various levels of ~.

VERB + DIFFICULTY

▪ encounter , experience , face , get into , have , run into

Among the difficulties encountered was a lack of cooperation on the part of the authorities.

Anyone experiencing ~ with radio reception should call us on the new helpline.

Some companies are getting into ~.

Let me know if you have any difficulties.

I had little ~ in persuading the others to come.

The plan has run into serious difficulties.

▪ cause , create , make , pose , present

Will it cause any difficulties if I go early?

She is always making difficulties for herself.

▪ increase

This increases the ~ of the shot.

▪ cope with , deal with , overcome , resolve , solve , surmount

▪ avoid

how to avoid technical difficulties

▪ be fraught with

The situation was fraught with ~.

▪ illustrate

▪ report

Please report any difficulties to the help desk.

DIFFICULTY + VERB

▪ arise

Difficulties arise when people fail to consult their colleagues.

▪ lie (in sth)

The ~ lies in identifying the precise nature of the problem.

PREPOSITION

▪ despite a/the ~

Despite all the difficulties, he still remains optimistic.

▪ in ~

Some companies are already in ~.

We could see that the swimmer was in difficulties. ( esp. BrE )

▪ with ~ , without ~

We crossed the border without any ~.

Life in the city was not without its difficulties.

▪ ~ in

She had ~ in starting her car.

▪ ~ of

the ~ of finding an affordable hotel

▪ ~ with

I'm having ~ with the engine.

Oxford Collocations English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь словосочетаний .