difficulty v.s. difficulties

[lost_soul]

Hi,

I have a little difficulty understanting the difference between "difficulty" and "difficulties" . Could you tell me if my explanation below holds water, please?

[Mister Micawber]

.
Yes, use 'difficulties' when there are clearly a number of them.
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_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mister Micawber

[Torsten]

What about the expression "have a hard time doing something"? For example, you might say "I'm having a hard time solving this task".
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Alan]

Hi,

Another use of 'difficulty' is used in an abstract sense in the singular 'in difficulty' where the suggestion is that something or somebody is running a risk and is in danger as in: A ship has been reported to be in difficulty off the east coast or Fred had to be pulled into the boat because he was clearly in difficulty half way through his channel swim.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Conditionals

[Torsten]

Hi Alan,

Interestingly enough when it comes to finances somebody can be in 'financial difficulty' as well as in 'financial difficulties'. Is there a difference between both expressions?

Thanks,
Torsten
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary