Difficulty

 Credit cards make it extremely easy for young people to get into difficulty with debt.

We're confident that these difficulties will be overcome before the play starts.

It was in the six o'clock news that a large oil tanker is in / has got into difficulties off the coast of France. It's in danger of breaking in two.

My father's had a mild stroke and it has caused  difficulties with his speech.

The task should present no difficulty for someone of his ability.

I don't foresee any difficulties so long as we keep to our planned route.

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The President's live broadcast was delayed because of technical difficulties.

We offer a free courselling service to couples with marital difficulties.

The main difficulty with this new approach is that it takes twice as long as the old one.

He says he's having financial  difficulties and that he can't pay the rent.

My sister works in a special school for children with severe learning difficulties.

I think I've got a plan for getting us out of our current  difficulties.

An unforeseen  difficulty has arisen, so I'm afraid we'll have to postpone the meeting.

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The town was very busy. We had great difficulty finding somewhere to park.

Arsenal won easily. They never seemed to be in any difficulty.

The burglars found the door unlocked. They had no difficulty getting in.

 

Notes

• In ‘It was in the six o'clock news that a large oil tanker is in / has got into difficulties off the coast of France. It's in danger of breaking in two.’ 'run into' is also possible.

In ‘I don't foresee any difficulties so long as we keep to our planned route.’ 'expect' is also possible.

In ‘I think I've got a plan for getting us out of our current  difficulties.’ 'present' is also possible.

• Note the common structure have difficulty (in) doing something.

It's three months since he broke his leg, but he still has difficulty walking.

He's a loving person, but he has difficulty showing affection.

3. We use a number of verbs to describe having difficulties:

Some parents experienced difficulty getting their children into the school of their choice.

Officials have encountered difficulties in getting the aid through to the refugees.

If you meet any difficulties, let me know and I'll help you out.

4. Note how we talk about lots of difficulties:

Her path to becoming the first woman president was beset with difficulties.

The situation is fraught with difficulties.

5. An insurmountable difficulty is one which cannot be overcome.

The government faces insurmountable difficulties in getting its new tax bill passed.

6. Note the common expressions with / without difficulty:

The boxer got to his feet with difficulty.

You should be able to find the hotel without much difficulty.