a challenging week

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a challenging week" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a week that was difficult or demanding, often in terms of work, personal challenges, or other stressors. Example: "This past week has been a challenging week for our team as we faced several unexpected obstacles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

I don't look at it as a challenging week that we weren't ready for.

The New York Times - Sports

My fellow pupils were all high-level skiers, early-40s, professionals eager for a challenging week.

The Guardian - Travel

The news of the recordings of a Goldman executive leaking inside information comes during a challenging week for the bank.

The New York Times

This makes for a challenging week – I sometimes wish for more hours in each day – but I enjoy the perspective and insights this brings.

The Guardian

As the dust settles after a challenging week of negotiation over funding and debate about the future of the BBC, three things are clear.

The Guardian - Opinion

After a challenging week capped by a lackluster jobs report, the Obama campaign released a new Web video Monday that aimed to reassure supporters and asked them not to "lose focus" on the campaign's "grass-roots organizing efforts".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

In the wake of a hugely challenging week for Uber — which has been called out for a lack of morals following two high profile and unsavory incidents — this tale, while not earth-shatteringly significant, is a reminder that some members of the Silicon Valley tech set can be human after all.

TechCrunch

"We are still looking at a very challenging week for passengers and for the airlines," Siim Kallas, the European Union transportation commissioner, said in a statement.

The New York Times

Those contrasts were described on Thursday by two of Mr. Romney's most senior foreign policy advisers, Eliot Cohen and Richard Williamson, in response to a request for a description of how Mr. Romney would have handled an enormously challenging week in the Middle East.

The New York Times

Certainly, he's having an especially challenging week.

TechCrunch

"Recent events related to the Gopher football program have made this an incredibly challenging week," Kaler and Coyle wrote.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a challenging week", be specific about the nature of the challenges to provide context and clarity for your reader. For instance, mention whether the challenges were related to work, personal life, or external events.

Common error

Avoid using "a challenging week" as a vague descriptor. If you don't specify why the week was challenging, the phrase becomes a cliché and loses its impact. Provide concrete details to illustrate the difficulties encountered.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a challenging week" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It describes a specific period characterized by difficulties or demands. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a challenging week" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a period filled with difficulties or demands. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and its usage spans various contexts, particularly in news and business. When using the phrase, provide specific context about the challenges to enhance clarity. Alternatives like "a difficult week" or "a tough week" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a difficult week

Replaces "challenging" with a more direct synonym, emphasizing the presence of problems or obstacles.

a tough week

Uses a more informal synonym for "challenging", suggesting a week that requires resilience and effort.

a demanding week

Focuses on the high workload and requirements of the week, rather than inherent difficulties.

an arduous week

Emphasizes the effort and stamina required to get through the week, suggesting a long and tiring experience.

a trying week

Highlights the stressful and frustrating nature of the week, emphasizing the emotional toll.

a problematic week

Focuses on the presence of issues and complications that make the week difficult to navigate.

a testing week

Implies that the week presents trials and challenges that evaluate one's abilities and resilience.

a taxing week

Suggests that the week depletes one's resources, both physically and mentally.

a stressful week

Highlights the anxiety and pressure associated with the week's events and demands.

an eventful week

Indicates that the week is filled with significant or noteworthy occurrences, which may or may not be challenging.

FAQs

How can I use "a challenging week" in a sentence?

You can use "a challenging week" to describe a period filled with difficulties or demanding tasks. For example, "After "a challenging week", I'm looking forward to the weekend" or "The company faced "a challenging week" due to unexpected market changes".

What's the difference between "a challenging week" and "a difficult week"?

While both phrases indicate a period of hardship, "a challenging week" often implies that the difficulties presented opportunities for growth or learning. "A difficult week", on the other hand, simply emphasizes the presence of problems or obstacles without necessarily suggesting personal development. You can also consider "a tough week", which is more informal.

What can I say instead of "a challenging week"?

You can use alternatives like "a tough week", "a demanding week", or "a difficult week" depending on the context. Consider the specific nature of the difficulties you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "an challenging week"?

No, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct article to use before "challenging" is "a" because "challenging" starts with a consonant sound. Therefore, the correct phrase is "a challenging week".