a trying circumstance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a trying circumstance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a difficult or challenging situation that tests someone's patience or endurance. Example: "Losing her job during the pandemic was a trying circumstance that forced her to reevaluate her career goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

In one of his letters dated 1815, Dubois commented, "not a single individual among so many thousands had courage enough to confess his faith under this trying circumstance, and become a martyr to his religion".

Wikipedia

Positive self-talk affirms that your trying circumstance carries less weight than your life itself.

Huffington Post

I am particularly grateful for the generous help given me by the staffs of the American Philosophical Society and The Historical Society of Pennsylvania; I es­ pecially wish to thank Mr. Nicholas Biddle Wainwright, Re­ search Librarian of the latter Society, for prompt aid from a far distance in a number of trying circumstances.

Springer

Stefan Wolpe's Chamber Piece No. 2 proved lively enough to make an impression under trying circumstances.

The New York Times - Arts

A different kind of system for minors might be possible in these trying circumstances: a teen-ager who could not turn to her parent could obtain consent from her psychiatrist or another trusted adult an older sibling, a grandparent, or a social worker, for example.

The New Yorker

But these are cricketers who are as fit as any in the world, and ought to be capable of maintaining a standard even in trying circumstances.

The Guardian - Sport

If they are seeking a player of comparable experience as an alternative, then Mark Ramprakash, the best technician of his generation with a good record in trying circumstances in Australia, should be included.

The Guardian - Sport

Commenting on the findings, the New South Wales deputy police commissioner, Andrew Scipione, defended the role of his men during the riots, insisting they had done a good job under trying circumstances.

The Guardian

While debate continues about the Fed's role preceding the collapse of Lehman Brothers, during the crisis that followed "all serious economists think he did a brilliant job in trying circumstances like no one else had ever seen," Mr. Gertler said, and Mr. Hall agreed with that assessment.

The New York Times

Most party insiders say Mr. McAuliffe did a solid job under trying circumstances and cannot be held responsible for the party's failure to offer voters an appealing alternative to President Bush's tax cut and prosecution of the war on terrorism.

The New York Times

In the other, Grace within Her Mother's Silence, a sister deals with an impossible sister under extremely trying circumstances, her past, her whole life, her life with her husband, interwoven into it.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a trying circumstance" when you want to emphasize the endurance and patience required to navigate the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "a trying circumstance" in overly casual or informal contexts; simpler language may be more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "Dealing with this software bug was a trying circumstance", consider "This software bug was really frustrating."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a trying circumstance" functions as a noun phrase, with "trying" acting as an adjective modifying "circumstance". It describes a specific condition or event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Science

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Less common in

Wiki

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Academia

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Reference

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a trying circumstance" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a difficult or challenging situation that tests one's endurance and patience. While Ludwig AI confirms it is correct, its frequency is currently rare. It is suitable for formal and neutral registers, appearing in news, formal business, and scientific contexts. For less formal situations, simpler alternatives are available. Understanding its nuances allows for more precise and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a difficult situation

Replaces "trying" with a more general adjective, focusing on the difficulty.

a challenging situation

Substitutes "trying" with "challenging", emphasizing the test of one's abilities.

a tough predicament

Replaces both "trying" and "circumstance" with synonyms, highlighting the difficulty and uncertainty.

an arduous situation

Uses a more formal and intense adjective to describe the difficulty.

a stressful event

Focuses on the emotional impact of the circumstance.

a testing ordeal

Emphasizes the challenging and difficult nature of the experience.

a problematic issue

Highlights the problem-solving aspect of the circumstance.

a complex situation

Focuses on the intricate and multifaceted nature of the circumstance.

a demanding experience

Emphasizes the high level of effort and resources required.

a burdensome state of affairs

Uses more formal language to describe the heavy and oppressive nature of the circumstance.

FAQs

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

You can use "a trying circumstance" to describe a difficult or challenging situation. For example: "Losing her job during the pandemic was a trying circumstance that forced her to reevaluate her career goals."

What are some alternatives to "a trying circumstance"?

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

Is "a trying circumstance" formal or informal?

"A trying circumstance" leans towards the formal side. In informal settings, consider using simpler phrases such as "a difficult time" or "a hard situation".

What makes "a trying circumstance" different from "a difficult situation"?

"A trying circumstance" emphasizes the aspect of testing one's patience and endurance, while "a difficult situation" simply highlights the presence of difficulty. The former suggests a more prolonged or demanding challenge.