Trying ordeal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Trying ordeal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a difficult or challenging experience that tests one's patience or endurance. Example: "The hike through the mountains turned out to be a trying ordeal, pushing us to our limits both physically and mentally."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

A climb back up the WTA rankings should make for a less trying ordeal, but Williams apparently has quite an ascent to make before she again gets the benefit of a seeding.

The Washington Post

Without Mandi's help and the support of the whole Etsy community, Reed says he doesn't know how he would have made it through this trying ordeal.

Huffington Post

Or: "We keep fucking until we're ash, leaving a smell as of horn, I must have come because it's like the first time, I have to pass through this trying ordeal SO LARGE we would all be speaking and I awaken to your spiritual breasts, a perfect sphere of life everlasting, and after my so-called death we reach the O-C-E-A-N O-F C-O-M-E".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Followers of this ancient and inscrutable philosophy have found themselves at the centre of some of history's most trying ordeals, from the French Revolution to the American Civil War to the prison camps of Vietnam.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Last week, Ms. Gauthier, 67, appeared in court again to read short statements about her fiancé, William Goetzee, a decorated commander in the Coast Guard Reserve, whose life in New Orleans was intertwined with the most trying ordeals of the past decade, and ended under horrific circumstances in the Orleans Parish Prison.

The New York Times

He also spoke about how trying this ordeal has been for him and how high he believes the stakes are for him.

Huffington Post

After the Ordeal, Trying to Reclaim a Life LEI LIU and Yao Cheng, of course, never sanctioned that theory.

The New York Times

Stacey Loren, a 29-year-old secondary school teacher from Leeds, spent an entire day after her ordeal "trying to decide if I'd been raped or not".

Independent

The mere act of flipping through channels becomes an ordeal, trying to sort out the merely inane from the seriously disturbing.

The New York Times

Facing up to the terrifying flesh-eating Ogre is quite an ordeal; trying to rescue the princess as well seems impossible.

The Guardian - Books

"It's going to be a daily ordeal trying to see how I'm going to approach this team," Garnes said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trying ordeal" when you want to emphasize the combination of difficulty and endurance required in a particular situation. It is more impactful than simply saying "difficult time".

Common error

Avoid using "trying ordeal" too frequently, as it can sound repetitive. Vary your language with synonyms like "difficult experience" or "challenging time" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trying ordeal" functions as a noun phrase, where "trying" acts as a descriptive adjective modifying the noun "ordeal". According to Ludwig AI, it effectively conveys a difficult experience.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "trying ordeal" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe experiences that are both difficult and testing. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, particularly in contexts where the aim is to emphasize the demanding nature of a situation. While it isn't a highly frequent expression, it carries a stronger impact than simpler terms like "difficult time". Predominantly found in news and media sources, "trying ordeal" conveys a neutral yet emphatic tone, suitable for describing events that require significant endurance. For variety, alternatives like "difficult experience" or "challenging time" can be used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult experience

Replaces 'ordeal' with a more general term for an experience, reducing intensity.

difficult time

A more common and less intense way of describing a challenging period.

challenging time

Focuses on the difficulty of the period rather than the severity of the experience.

grueling experience

Emphasizes the exhausting and demanding nature of the experience.

tough situation

Shifts the emphasis from personal experience to the nature of the circumstances.

testing time

Highlights the aspect of being tested or challenged during the experience.

taxing experience

Focuses on the draining and demanding aspects of the experience.

hardship

A general term for a condition that causes suffering or difficulty.

demanding situation

Similar to "tough situation" but emphasizes the high demands placed on the individual.

severe trial

Highlights the testing aspect and the severity of the challenge.

FAQs

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

You can use "trying ordeal" to describe a difficult or challenging experience that tests one's patience or endurance. For example, "The legal battle was a "trying ordeal" for the family".

What can I say instead of "trying ordeal"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult experience", "challenging time", or "tough situation" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a trying ordeal"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "a trying ordeal". The adjective "trying" modifies the noun "ordeal", and the article "a" is used because "ordeal" is a countable noun.

What makes an ordeal "trying"?

An ordeal is "trying" when it tests one's endurance, patience, or emotional strength. It implies that the experience is not only difficult but also places significant strain on the individual.