Meaning & use
difficult circumstances
Last updated
Meanings
phraseplural
a situation that is hard to deal with, often because of problems or lack of money
Grammar: Always plural in this phrase; use 'in' or 'under' before it: in difficult circumstances, under difficult circumstances.
Patterns
- in difficult circumstances
- under difficult circumstances
- live in difficult circumstances
- grow up in difficult circumstances
She grew up in difficult circumstances but managed to go to university.
The charity helps families living in difficult circumstances.
The team won the game under difficult circumstances, with several players injured.
phraseplural
a hard or unfavorable situation that makes something more challenging
Grammar: Can refer to a specific challenging situation, not just general hardship; often used after 'given' or 'despite'.
Patterns
- given the difficult circumstances
- despite difficult circumstances
- face difficult circumstances
Given the difficult circumstances, the results were impressive.
The company survived despite difficult economic circumstances.
Many students face difficult circumstances at home that affect their studies.
Common combinations
- in difficult circumstances
- The refugees are living in difficult circumstances.
- under difficult circumstances
- The rescue was carried out under difficult circumstances.
- grow up in difficult circumstances
- He grew up in difficult circumstances and learned to be independent.
- work in difficult circumstances
- Nurses often work in difficult circumstances.
Synonyms and how they differ
- hardship
- A stronger, uncountable noun meaning severe suffering or lack of money; 'difficult circumstances' can be less severe and more general.
- adversity
- More formal and literary; it suggests serious misfortune or trouble, while 'difficult circumstances' is neutral and common.
- hard times
- Informal and often refers to a period of financial difficulty, not just any challenging situation.
Opposites
Word family
- circumstance noun
- A fact or condition that affects a situation; usually plural in this phrase.
- circumstantial adjective
- Relating to circumstances; e.g., circumstantial evidence.
- difficulty noun
- The state of being hard to do or deal with.
Commonly confused: difficult circumstances or difficult situation? difficult circumstances or hard circumstances?
difficult circumstances vs difficult situation
A 'situation' is a set of events at a particular time; 'circumstances' are the conditions and facts that affect a situation. They are close but not identical.
difficult circumstances vs hard circumstances
Possible but less common; 'difficult circumstances' is the standard collocation.
Practice
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly?
Choose one answer.
The fixed phrase is 'in difficult circumstances' with the plural noun and the preposition 'in'. Option 1 uses the singular, option 2 adds 'a' before a plural noun, and option 3 uses the wrong preposition 'on'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “difficult circumstances”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.