A trying day

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "A trying day" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a day that was difficult, challenging, or stressful. Example: "After dealing with numerous issues at work, I can honestly say it was a trying day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Surrey finished a trying day clinging on at 30 for one, needing a further 187 to win.

The Guardian - Sport

BRAVES 4, ROCKIES 1: Chipper Jones showed no signs of a trying day, hitting a mammoth two-run homer that carried host Atlanta past Colorado.

The New York Times - Sports

Mrs. Jones said a trying day became a happy one recently when the Marine Corps relaxed rules that restricted the size of packages that could be sent to the troops in the Gulf.

The New York Times

Ezekiel Elliott had a trying day in Denver and came away with only eight yards rushing on nine carries in the Dallas Cowboys' 42-9 drubbing at the hands of the Broncos.

The Washington Post

With shortstop Rey Ordóñez out again with a strained left rib cage and second baseman Roberto Alomar resting a stiff back, shortstop John Valentin and second baseman Joe McEwing, who have excelled in replacement roles, had a trying day.

The New York Times - Sports

They then spent a trying day and a half waiting for a train, with nowhere to sleep and nowhere to shelter from the 40-degree heat, apart from the shade of a few trees.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

It was a trying Tuesday evening for lakeside rooters, with the home-team Toronto Blue Jays losing to the Kansas City Royals, 14 2, and the Chicago Cubs going down to the Mets, 5 2, at Wrigley Field.

The New Yorker

So after a long, trying day, moral people become like their immoral colleagues.

Harvard Business Review

As you can tell from the homepage, it's a sad, trying day for the internet.

TechCrunch

I had a pretty trying day in social media world.

HuffPost

And if it's the end of a particularly trying day -- my spirit.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a trying day" to succinctly convey that a particular day was filled with difficulties, challenges, or stressors. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a trying day" to describe minor inconveniences. Reserve this phrase for situations involving significant challenges, stressors, or difficulties.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a trying day" functions as an adjective phrase modifying the noun 'day'. It describes the quality or nature of the day, indicating that it was difficult or challenging. Ludwig AI affirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a trying day" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a day filled with difficulties, challenges, or stressors. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, this phrase serves to express hardship and is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Alternatives include "a difficult day" or "a challenging day", offering slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A difficult day

Replaces "trying" with a more common synonym, focusing on the level of difficulty experienced.

A challenging day

Emphasizes the presence of challenges and obstacles that needed to be overcome.

A tough day

Highlights the robustness and resilience needed to get through the day.

A stressful day

Focuses on the emotional burden and tension experienced.

An arduous day

Suggests a day filled with demanding and strenuous tasks.

A taxing day

Highlights the depleting effect the day had on one's energy or resources.

A testing day

Indicates a day that puts one's abilities or patience to the test.

A problematic day

Focuses on the presence of various problems and issues that arose.

A frustrating day

Emphasizes the feeling of annoyance and dissatisfaction caused by obstacles.

An eventful day

Highlights that many things happened during the day, but doesn't directly imply whether they were good or bad.

FAQs

How can I use "a trying day" in a sentence?

You can use "a trying day" to describe a day filled with difficulties or challenges. For example, "After the series of unexpected setbacks, it's safe to say it was "a trying day"."

What are some alternatives to saying "a trying day"?

Alternatives include "a difficult day", "a challenging day", or "a tough day" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a trying day" formal or informal?

"A trying day" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The choice depends more on the overall tone and vocabulary of your writing.

What makes a day "trying"?

A day is "trying" when it presents significant difficulties, challenges, or stressors that test one's patience and resilience.