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have difficulty doing — to find it hard or challenging to accomplish something

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: to find it hard or challenging to accomplish something

Pronunciation (IPA): /hæv ˈdɪfɪkəlti ˈduːɪŋ/

Example Sentences

  • My grandpa has difficulty using smartphones - he still thinks apps are appetizers.
  • Students often have difficulty memorizing irregular verbs in English.
  • I have difficulty waking up early because my bed and I are in a serious relationship.

have difficulty doing

NOUN

[/hæv ˈdɪfɪkəlti ˈduːɪŋ/]

to find it hard or challenging to accomplish something

The toddler seems to have difficulty doing up the buttons on his tiny coat.
💡 Concept

The toddler seems to have difficulty doing up the buttons on his tiny coat.

Though we have difficulty doing math, this facility unlocks our ability!
🎵 Rhyme

Though we have difficulty doing math, this facility unlocks our ability!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/hæv ˈdɪfɪkəlti ˈduːɪŋ/
🇬🇧 UK/hæv ˈdɪfɪkəlti ˈduːɪŋ/

🌳Etymology

Rootdifficulty

Origin

Have derives from Old English 'habban', meaning to hold or possess. Difficulty comes from Latin 'difficilis', meaning hard or troublesome, formed from 'dis-' (not) and 'facilis' (easy). The phrase 'have difficulty doing' emerged in Medieval academic discourse when scholars used Latin expressions to describe challenging scholarly pursuits.

Breakdown

have (Old English 'habban': to hold/possess) + difficulty (Latin 'dis-' (not) + 'facilis' (easy) = hard/troublesome) + doing (present participle of do, expressing an action or task).

🎵Rhyme

facility
ability
possibility

🔗Collocations

have difficulty sleeping
have difficulty concentrating
have difficulty breathing
have difficulty walking
have difficulty communicating
have great difficulty
have no difficulty

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My grandpa has difficulty using smartphones - he still thinks apps are appetizers.”

“Students often have difficulty memorizing irregular verbs in English.”

😄 Fun example

“I have difficulty waking up early because my bed and I are in a serious relationship.”

“Many people have difficulty maintaining work-life balance.”

📚Related Words

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