a demanding stretch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a demanding stretch" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a period of time or a situation that requires significant effort, endurance, or concentration. Example: "The project was a demanding stretch, pushing the team to their limits as they worked to meet the tight deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

With victories on Monday and Tuesday in Minnesota, Seattle began a demanding stretch of 17 games out of 20 on the road, including a Sept. 3-5 series at Yankee Stadium.

The New York Times - Sports

The solo performance, in playwright Laurie O'Brien's one-act, "Inside Out," at the Beverly Hills Playhouse, is a demanding stretch for an actress, and Fairbanks daringly throws caution aside while never lapsing into excess.

Los Angeles Times

But the game also will start a demanding stretch that will test the Cyclones' resolve and thin bench.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Unofficially, Mangold is bound to cede his starting job to Baxter, an undrafted rookie, for at least a week, potentially more, just as the Jets embark on a critical and demanding stretch of road games, beginning at Oakland.

The New York Times - Sports

It is amazing that seven inexperienced people and a guide can put on life jackets after a 10-minute briefing and successfully negotiate several demanding stretches of rapids.

Los Angeles Times

Professionally you're at the end of a demanding two-year stretch; a less pressured scenario should be heading over the horizon shortly.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The team begins a demanding four-game stretch on Tuesday, when it faces the Kings at Continental Arena, followed by games against Detroit, the Knicks and Dallas.

The New York Times - Sports

As we enter the splendour of his south west London suburban home, the comedian is being put through a demanding sequence of stretches on the living room rug by his personal trainer.

The Guardian

The truths are a stretch, demanding a search; the motivations, blurred.

The New York Times

Today's rewards, he notes, don't go to those who use Facebook, but those who build its code, a task demanding long stretches of focused thought.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"What message does that send?" Residents in Arlington, Virginia, have launched a petition demanding that a stretch of highway named for Davis be rechristened.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a demanding stretch" when you want to emphasize that a certain period requires significant effort, resilience, and focus. This phrase is appropriate for describing challenging phases in sports, career, or personal endeavors.

Common error

While "a demanding stretch" is perfectly acceptable, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations or informal writing. Overuse can make your language sound unnecessarily formal or dramatic. Consider simpler alternatives like "a busy time" or "a tough period" for everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a demanding stretch" functions as a noun phrase, where "demanding" is an adjective modifying the noun "stretch". It describes a period or segment characterized by high levels of difficulty or pressure. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is correct and usable English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Sports

22%

Lifestyle

11%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a demanding stretch" is a grammatically sound and contextually versatile expression used to describe a period that requires significant effort and focus. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is correct and usable in English. While suitable for formal writing, it's best used when the situation genuinely warrants the emphasis on difficulty. Alternatives such as "a challenging period" or "a tough phase" may be more appropriate in informal contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Sports contexts, "a demanding stretch" serves to effectively convey the intensity and rigor of a specific timeframe.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging phase

Replaces "demanding" with "challenging" and "stretch" with "phase", focusing on the difficulty of the period.

an arduous stint

Substitutes "demanding" with "arduous" and "stretch" with "stint", emphasizing the strenuous nature of the period.

a rigorous interval

Replaces "demanding" with "rigorous" and "stretch" with "interval", highlighting the strictness and intensity of the period.

a testing time

Uses "testing" instead of "demanding" and "time" instead of "stretch", focusing on the challenging aspect of the period.

a trying period

Replaces "demanding" with "trying" and "stretch" with "period", emphasizing the difficulty and stress of the time.

an intense duration

Substitutes "demanding" with "intense" and "stretch" with "duration", highlighting the high level of activity during that time.

a grueling spell

Replaces "demanding" with "grueling" and "stretch" with "spell", emphasizing the exhausting nature of the period.

a strenuous phase

Uses "strenuous" instead of "demanding" and "phase" instead of "stretch", focusing on the effort required during the period.

a tough interval

Replaces "demanding" with "tough" and "stretch" with "interval", highlighting the difficulty of the period.

a critical juncture

Replaces "demanding stretch" with a phrase that highlights the importance and decisiveness of the moment.

FAQs

What does "a demanding stretch" mean?

The phrase "a demanding stretch" refers to a period of time or a situation that requires significant effort, endurance, or concentration.

How can I use "a demanding stretch" in a sentence?

You might say, "The team faces "a demanding stretch" of games this month" or "The project involved "a demanding stretch" of late nights and intense work sessions."

What are some alternatives to "a demanding stretch"?

Alternatives include "a challenging period", "a tough phase", or "an arduous stint", depending on the context.

Is "a demanding stretch" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "a demanding stretch" is suitable for formal writing, especially when describing situations that genuinely require significant effort and resilience. However, always consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.