encounter difficulties
/ɪnˈkaʊntər ˈdɪfɪkəltiz/
Meaning
This expression means to experience or run into unexpected problems, obstacles, or challenges while trying to complete a task. It is a formal alternative to 'run into trouble' or 'have problems,' commonly used in business reports, customer service updates, and academic writing.
Examples
-
We may encounter difficulties if we don't plan the budget carefully.
We may encounter difficulties if we don't plan the budget carefully.
-
The construction crew began to encounter difficulties due to the heavy rain.
The construction crew began to encounter difficulties due to the heavy rain.
-
If you encounter difficulties logging into your account, please contact support.
If you encounter difficulties logging into your account, please contact support.
-
She did not expect to encounter difficulties during her transition to the new role.
She did not expect to encounter difficulties during her transition to the new role.
-
Our research team did encounter difficulties, but we managed to find a solution.
Our research team did encounter difficulties, but we managed to find a solution.
Common Mistakes
-
✗ We encountered with difficulties during the project.
✓ We encountered difficulties during the project.
'Encounter' is a transitive verb and does not require the preposition 'with'.
-
✗ I hope we don't encounter to difficulties.
✓ I hope we don't encounter difficulties.
Do not use the preposition 'to' after the transitive verb 'encounter'.
Related Expressions
Practice
-
Please call our helpline if you ___ while setting up the device.
💡 Two words: formal phrase for experiencing problems
Show answer
encounter difficulties
-
Many small businesses ___ during their first year of operation.
💡 Two words: formal phrase for running into trouble
Show answer
encounter difficulties