What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
troublesome
Example
The new employee has been quite troublesome, causing conflicts with other team members. [troublesome: adjective]
Example
It's troublesome when the internet connection is slow, especially when you're trying to work. [troublesome: adjective]
Example
The math problem was quite troublesome, and it took me a while to figure it out. [troublesome: adjective]
difficult
Example
The exam was difficult, and many students struggled to pass it. [difficult: adjective]
Example
It's difficult to understand the instructions when they are written in a foreign language. [difficult: adjective]
Example
My boss can be difficult to work with because he has high expectations. [difficult: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Difficult is more commonly used than troublesome in everyday language. Difficult is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, while troublesome is less common and often used in specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between troublesome and difficult?
Both troublesome and difficult are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.