a trying juncture

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a trying juncture" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a difficult or challenging point in time or situation. Example: "During a trying juncture in her career, she found the strength to persevere and succeed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

While the greatest environmental disaster in our history is a trying juncture for Obama, it also provides him with a nearly unparalleled opening to make his and government's case.

The New York Times

But the latest "True Grit" juggernaut also has something to say about Americans yearning at a trying juncture in our history — much as it did the first time around.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Indeed, leading business groups have expressed strong support for Mr. Uribe's tax, even though it comes during a trying economic juncture for Colombia.

The New York Times

"I definitely feel overwhelmed at some junctures, trying to figure out the bureaucracy and managing other people in the lab, that kind of thing".

Science Magazine

She goes on, "Try at this juncture simply to accept that what you have undergone has a meaning and purpose which you may one day understand".

The New Yorker

Bibby, who has the reputation of being a defensive liability, struggled trying to contain Johnson and Gaines, but hit shots at critical junctures and, more often than not, he made the right pass.

The New York Times - Sports

So now she's trying to take a moment to recognize the pleasant juncture where her movie and TV life are meeting up — an experience she feels more ready to appreciate at this stage in her life.

Los Angeles Times

It was at this juncture that I, in trying to get up, had the uncanny sensation of feeling my bed above me!

The New Yorker

The negotiations, which resume in Lausanne, Switzerland, next week, are at a critical juncture as the sides try to meet an end of March target for an interim deal, with a final deal in June.

Huffington Post

Signaling her reign has reached a pivotal juncture, Yahoo chief executive Marissa Mayer is trying to convince restless shareholders that the long-struggling Internet company is heading in the right direction.

Independent

At every juncture I remember the soldiers involved asking why we were burning so much gasoline trying to find a guy who had abandoned his unit in the first place.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a trying juncture", ensure the context clearly establishes the difficulty or challenge being faced. This phrase is best suited for formal writing and can add a touch of gravitas to your description.

Common error

Avoid using "a trying juncture" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its formal tone can sound out of place and pretentious in less serious settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a trying juncture" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It specifically describes a particular point in time or a situation characterized by difficulty or hardship. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in formal contexts to denote challenging phases.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a trying juncture" is a phrase used to describe a difficult or challenging point in time. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and most appropriate for formal contexts like news articles and professional communications. While not very common, its presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian lends it credibility. For more casual settings, consider using simpler alternatives like "a difficult time" or "a challenging period". Remember to use "a trying juncture" when you want to convey a sense of gravity and difficulty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a difficult moment

Replaces "trying" with "difficult" and "juncture" with "moment", simplifying the language while retaining the core meaning of a challenging time.

a challenging period

Substitutes "trying" with "challenging" and "juncture" with "period", focusing on the duration and demanding nature of the situation.

a critical phase

Emphasizes the importance and potential consequences of the "juncture", highlighting its decisiveness.

a testing time

Replaces "trying juncture" with a more common idiom, indicating a period that puts one's resilience to the test.

a problematic stage

Highlights the troubles or issues that are present at this specific point in time.

a demanding situation

Focuses on the pressures and requirements imposed during this "juncture".

a stressful period

Directly addresses the emotional strain associated with the "juncture".

a tough spot

Uses a more informal expression to convey a difficult and unfavorable position.

an awkward moment

Focuses on social difficulties and discomfort of this specific point in time.

a rough patch

Employs a colloquial term to describe a period of difficulty or adversity.

FAQs

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

You can use "a trying juncture" to describe a particularly difficult or challenging point in time, such as "During "a trying juncture" in the company's history, they had to make some difficult decisions".

What's a simpler alternative to "a trying juncture"?

If you're looking for a less formal way to express the same idea, consider using phrases like "a difficult time", "a challenging period", or "a tough situation".

Is "trying juncture" the same as "critical juncture"?

While both phrases refer to important points in time, "trying juncture" specifically implies difficulty or hardship, whereas "critical juncture" simply emphasizes the importance and potential consequences of the moment.

Can "a trying juncture" be used in positive contexts?

No, the phrase "a trying juncture" inherently implies a negative or challenging situation. It's not appropriate for describing positive or favorable events.