a difficult trial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a difficult trial" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a challenging experience or test that someone is undergoing, often in a personal or legal context. Example: "The athlete faced a difficult trial during the championship, pushing her limits to achieve her goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"It was a difficult trial and we plan on appealing".

The New York Times

"This was a difficult trial," the United States attorney, R. Alexander Acosta, said.

The New York Times

And judge Marina Syrova, tired from a difficult trial, will probably go on holiday and, as Russian officials do, will go relax somewhere in Europe.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It could lead to constitutional hurdles for military prosecutions; undermine the ability of prosecutors to execute plea bargains that can spare victims a difficult trial process".

The Guardian

Anyone who has been through a difficult trial must recognize this moment.

Huffington Post

Unfortunately, with the preference for less-invasive therapies and procedural selection based on operative risk, it might be a difficult trial to complete with regard to patient recruitment and enrollment.

Clinical interventions in aging

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"It was a difficult test, a trial period when I first got to Florida, because I was still playing like I was in high school," Nelson said.

The New York Times - Sports

Subjects responded by clicking on the nodule and were then given feedback and shown the nodule for 2000 ms. The upper trial is an example of an easy trial and bottom trial is an example of a more difficult trial.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

It was a very difficult trial to undertake but an important one because up until then, there has not been such a study.

British Journal of Cancer

When he was beginning his practice, Mr. Jacobs would typically take his wife on a weeklong vacation to Europe at the end of a particularly difficult trial.

The New York Times

"This is a very difficult trial from the position of the defense.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a difficult trial", ensure the context clearly establishes what makes the trial challenging. Providing specific details enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a difficult trial" as a vague descriptor. Always specify the nature of the difficulty to provide meaningful context. For example, instead of just saying "It was a difficult trial", specify "It was a difficult trial due to conflicting evidence and uncooperative witnesses".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a difficult trial" functions as a noun phrase, where "difficult" is an adjective modifying the noun "trial". Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct. The phrase identifies a specific type of trial that presents significant challenges.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a difficult trial" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for describing a challenging or demanding trial, as confirmed by Ludwig. Primarily found in News & Media and Science contexts, this phrase serves to communicate the hardship or complexity involved in a trial, be it legal, personal, or experimental. While generally neutral in register, ensuring clarity by specifying the nature of the difficulty is crucial. Consider alternatives like "a challenging ordeal" or "a trying experience" to better suit the intended context. Avoiding overgeneralization and providing specific details will enhance the impact and understanding of your message. In essence, while "a difficult trial" is a valid phrase, thoughtful consideration of context and specificity will elevate your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging ordeal

Replaces "trial" with "ordeal" to emphasize the unpleasant and prolonged nature of the experience.

a trying experience

Uses "trying experience" to focus on the emotional strain and patience required.

a tough examination

Substitutes "trial" with "examination", highlighting the testing aspect of the situation.

a severe test

Uses "severe test" to emphasize the intensity and difficulty of the challenge.

a formidable challenge

Substitutes "difficult" with "formidable" to stress the intimidating nature of the challenge.

a complex legal battle

Replaces "difficult" with "complex" and "trial" with "legal battle", specifying the context as legal and emphasizing its intricacy.

an arduous process

Uses "arduous process" to focus on the laborious and prolonged nature of the challenge.

a demanding situation

Replaces "trial" with "situation", broadening the context to any demanding circumstance.

a taxing endeavor

Emphasizes the depleting and burdening aspect of the task by using "taxing endeavor".

a rigorous undertaking

Highlights the demanding and thorough nature of the process with "rigorous undertaking".

FAQs

How can I use "a difficult trial" in a sentence?

You can use "a difficult trial" to describe a challenging legal proceeding, a tough personal experience, or a demanding test of one's abilities. For instance, "The legal team anticipated "a difficult trial" due to the complexity of the case".

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

"A difficult trial" often implies a structured, formal process, such as a legal case or a rigorous test. "A challenging experience", on the other hand, is broader and can refer to any situation that tests one's abilities or resilience. So, while all difficult trials are challenging experiences, not all challenging experiences are trials. In some contexts, "a challenging experience" may be used as alternative.

What can I say instead of "a difficult trial"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a challenging ordeal", "a tough examination", or "a trying experience". The best choice depends on what aspect of the trial you want to emphasize.

Is "a difficult trial" formal or informal language?

"A difficult trial" is generally considered neutral to formal language. It can be used in professional, news, and even some academic contexts. However, more informal alternatives might be preferable in casual conversation.