a bit strenuous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bit strenuous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an activity or task that requires some effort or is somewhat challenging, but not excessively so. Example: "The hike was a bit strenuous, but the views at the top made it worthwhile."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

And there is something a bit strenuous about the rustic revelry.

The Guardian

Yet it all seemed a bit strenuous and earthbound in relation to the effervescent wit of the music and text.

The New York Times - Arts

It's a bit strenuous at times, figuring out which dress she's referring to and then taking it apart in your mind, according to her description.

The New York Times - Style

It is all very jolly, if a bit strenuous, but the best is saved till last when, in a gesture fitting the Royal Court's season of revolution, we literally see the world turned upside down.

The Guardian

Johan Botha, the Walther, was a bit strenuous at first, but he rose steadily in splendor, and his Prize Song was glorious: consistent in tone, the leaps nicely managed, the sound appealing and the phrasing eloquent.

The New York Times - Arts

For those not inclined to howl with laughter at that line, much in Ms. Benedict's book will seem slick and fast-paced but also contrived, a bit strenuous in its rueful sort of social commentary.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

And if you're looking for something a bit less strenuous, there is an alternative itinerary through the foothills.

The Guardian - Travel

If running sounds a bit too strenuous, however, BorrowMyDoggy enables you to borrow local dogs for walks or offer pet-sitting and holiday care.

The Guardian

Entwined with their thousand-year melodrama is quite a bit of strenuous ideamongering, having to do with the quest for eternal life and its consequences, and also with the tension between science and art.

The New York Times

For something a bit less strenuous, the entrance area of Mount Kinabalu park is beautiful and features some easy walking trails that showcase alpine Borneo flora and fauna.

BBC

The process involved here is also a bit more strenuous than usual; thanks to a few bugs that snuck their way into the release (namely, the "RAMDisk Fixer" tool bundled with the jailbreak app is broken, and needs to be swapped out for a working build), there are a few extra points along the way where things can go wrong.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical activities, use "a bit strenuous" to indicate that the activity requires some effort, but is not overwhelmingly difficult. This provides a balanced assessment for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "a bit strenuous" when describing extremely challenging or dangerous situations. It could minimize the severity of the situation and mislead your audience. Instead, opt for stronger terms such as "very strenuous" or "highly demanding."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bit strenuous" functions as an adverbial modifier that qualifies the adjective "strenuous". It softens the intensity of the adjective, indicating that something requires effort, but not excessively so. This is supported by Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

31%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a bit strenuous" is a grammatically correct and useful expression for describing something that requires a moderate amount of effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate to use in various contexts, with its nuance lying in softening the intensity of "strenuous". Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific sources, it suggests challenges without being overly dramatic. Remember to use it to provide a balanced assessment and avoid exaggeration. Consider alternatives like "somewhat taxing" or "slightly challenging" for different shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat taxing

Indicates that something requires effort and can be tiring, similar to "a bit strenuous" but perhaps slightly more formal.

slightly challenging

Focuses on the difficulty aspect, suggesting that something requires effort to overcome.

moderately difficult

Directly expresses a medium level of difficulty.

a little demanding

Highlights that something requires effort and attention, emphasizing the effort required.

somewhat arduous

Implies a task that is difficult and tiring, bordering on formal.

a tad exhausting

Emphasizes the tiring aspect, indicating that something can lead to fatigue.

a bit tiring

Directly indicates that something can cause fatigue.

slightly exhausting

Focuses more on the tiring aspect of the task.

mildly laborious

Implies the task requires considerable effort and time.

somewhat rigorous

Suggests something is strict and demanding, requiring precision and effort.

FAQs

How can I use "a bit strenuous" in a sentence?

You can use "a bit strenuous" to describe an activity or task that requires some effort but is not excessively difficult. For example: "The hike was "a bit strenuous", but the view was worth it."

What are some alternatives to "a bit strenuous"?

Alternatives include "somewhat taxing", "slightly challenging", or "moderately difficult", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a bit strenuous" formal or informal?

"A bit strenuous" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "somewhat arduous" might be preferred in highly formal writing.

What's the difference between "a bit strenuous" and "very strenuous"?

"A bit strenuous" suggests a moderate level of effort or difficulty, while "very strenuous" indicates a much higher level of exertion, pushing the limits of one's capabilities.