This expression says that an action is difficult.

The idea

Use have trouble followed by an -ing form. Change have to match the subject and time.

Examples

  • I have trouble opening this jar.
  • We had trouble finding the station.
  • The child has trouble sleeping in the heat.
  • Do you have trouble hearing the speaker?
  • They had trouble choosing a colour for the room.
  • Our team is having trouble connecting to the network.

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Watch out

Do not say have trouble to do: use an -ing form instead.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the missing word. She has trouble ___ the map. (reading / to read)

    Show answer or example answer

    reading

    reading names the difficult action in the required form.

  2. Choose the missing word. We ___ trouble parking yesterday. (had / have)

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    had

    had fits the completed time yesterday.

  3. Choose the missing word. I have trouble ___ names. (remembering / remember)

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    remembering

    remembering names the action that causes difficulty.

Use it today

Describe something you have trouble doing and explain why.