a trying day

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a trying day" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a day that is difficult, challenging, or stressful. Example: "After dealing with numerous issues at work, I can honestly say it has been a trying day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Surrey finished a trying day clinging on at 30 for one, needing a further 187 to win.

The Guardian - Sport

BRAVES 4, ROCKIES 1: Chipper Jones showed no signs of a trying day, hitting a mammoth two-run homer that carried host Atlanta past Colorado.

The New York Times - Sports

But it was a trying day for the crews of the 1937 Vintage Class entrant Havsoerven, and the Classic division yachts Blue Leopard, from England, and the recently restored New York 50 Marilee, sailed by the New York Yacht Club skipper Larry Snodden.

The New York Times - Sports

It had been a trying day.

Huffington Post

After a trying day, I recite all my failings.

Huffington Post

Lemercier said, "Yesterday we had a trying day.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

It was a trying Tuesday evening for lakeside rooters, with the home-team Toronto Blue Jays losing to the Kansas City Royals, 14 2, and the Chicago Cubs going down to the Mets, 5 2, at Wrigley Field.

The New Yorker

As you can tell from the homepage, it's a sad, trying day for the internet.

TechCrunch

How many times have I said to myself, after an especially trying day, "Well, tomorrow is a new day!"?

Huffington Post

It was the last event of what had been a long and trying day.

The New Yorker

Are you going to take critics' word for it, or will you give "Dads" a try? 'Saturday Night Live' adds six new cast members.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a trying day" to succinctly describe a day filled with challenges or difficulties. It adds a touch of understatement, implying resilience in the face of adversity.

Common error

Avoid phrases like "very trying day" or "extremely trying day". The word "trying" already implies difficulty, so adding intensifiers can sound redundant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a trying day" functions as a noun phrase, with "trying" acting as a descriptive adjective modifying the noun "day". Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a trying day" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for describing a difficult or challenging day. As Ludwig highlights, it's commonly found in News & Media contexts. While similar phrases like "a difficult day" or "a hard day" exist, "a trying day" often implies a test of patience and endurance. Avoid overuse of intensifiers and utilize the phrase to succinctly convey a sense of resilience in the face of adversity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a difficult day

Emphasizes the presence of difficulties experienced during the day.

a challenging day

Highlights the stimulating or testing nature of the day's events.

a stressful day

Focuses on the stress and pressure experienced during the day.

a tough day

Indicates a day filled with hardships and unpleasant experiences.

a hard day

Suggests a day characterized by labor, effort, or unpleasantness.

an exhausting day

Highlights the tiring and draining aspects of the day.

a frustrating day

Emphasizes the feeling of annoyance and dissatisfaction during the day.

an eventful day

Highlights the occurrence of many significant or interesting events.

an arduous day

Focuses on the strenuous effort and labor involved during the day.

a demanding day

Indicates that the day required a lot of effort and attention.

FAQs

What does "a trying day" mean?

The phrase "a trying day" describes a day that has been difficult, challenging, or stressful. It implies that one has had to endure hardships or overcome obstacles.

What can I say instead of "a trying day"?

You can use alternatives like "a difficult day", "a challenging day", or "a stressful day" depending on the context.

How is "a trying day" different from "a hard day"?

While both phrases describe a difficult experience, "a trying day" often implies a test of one's patience or endurance, whereas "a hard day" suggests more physical or laborious difficulty.

Is it appropriate to use "a trying day" in formal writing?

Yes, "a trying day" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its neutrality allows it to fit seamlessly into various writing styles.