a trying month

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a trying month" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a month that has been particularly difficult or challenging. Example: "After a trying month filled with unexpected challenges, I finally feel like I can catch my breath."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Business

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Yet with both the court hearing and Mr Khan's new protests due within weeks, November will be a trying month.

The Economist

It has been a trying month for Apple.

The Guardian - Tech

"It's been a trying month, a lot of downs," Freeman said.

The New York Times - Sports

But for Ocean Spray Cranberries, a cooperative of some 800 cranberry farmers based in Lakeville, Mass., November has been a trying month.

The New York Times

In the middle of a long May Day holiday weekend, many executives are chafing at the travel restrictions imposed by their companies, which are keeping them stuck here unable to visit clients, let alone fly off to one of the tropical resorts nearby to shake off what has been a trying month.

The New York Times

It's been a trying month for local news.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

This Ramadan has been an especially trying month for Muslims.

Huffington Post

Denver faces a trying final month.

The New York Times

Miss Sacher and Freddie Nieves spent a trying first month together.

The New York Times

Hot .Agustín Barrios Gómez Mexico CitySIR – Being a youngish athlete who is American and who has lived in Britain, the chiding comments in your article on rugby in relation to "wimpish" American football were not new to me ("Worth a try", February 5th).

The Economist

Mr. Obama kept a system of military commissions while building in further procedural safeguards and gave up an effort to try Sept. 11 plotters in civilian court.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a trying month", clearly specify the reasons why the month was difficult to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, "After a trying month due to the economic downturn, the company implemented cost-saving measures."

Common error

Avoid using "a trying month" as a vague statement. Always clarify what made the month difficult, such as specific events, challenges, or circumstances. Without context, the phrase loses its impact and becomes less informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a trying month" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying the noun "month". It describes the nature or quality of the month, indicating that it is characterized by difficulties or challenges. Ludwig AI confirms that it's correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

11%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a trying month" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a period characterized by challenges or difficulties. Ludwig AI validates this. While not extremely common, it frequently appears in news and media contexts, with neutral formality. To maximize its impact, always provide specific details about what made the month "trying". Consider alternatives such as ""a difficult month"" or ""a challenging month"" depending on the precise nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a difficult month

Replaces "trying" with "difficult", maintaining the core meaning of hardship but potentially lessening the emotional weight.

a testing month

Similar to "trying", but more explicitly implies that the month serves as a test of one's abilities or endurance.

a challenging month

Substitutes "trying" with "challenging", suggesting a month that requires significant effort and resourcefulness.

a tough month

Replaces "trying" with "tough", indicating a month filled with adversity and resilience.

a stressful month

Focuses specifically on the stress and anxiety caused by the events of the month.

a demanding month

Emphasizes the high expectations and pressures of the month, focusing on workload and responsibilities.

a problematic month

Highlights the issues and problems that arose during the month, often suggesting disruptions or complications.

a month of tribulations

More formal and intense, highlighting significant suffering or hardship experienced during the month.

an eventful month

Highlights the number of significant occurrences during the month, which may or may not be positive.

a period of adversity

Shifts the focus from a specific month to a more general time frame characterized by misfortune and difficulty.

FAQs

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

You can use "a trying month" to describe a period filled with challenges or difficulties. For example: "November will be "a trying month" with both the court hearing and Mr Khan's new protests due within weeks".

What are some alternatives to "a trying month"?

Alternatives include "a difficult month", "a challenging month", or "a tough month". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to describe a period as "a trying month"?

Yes, "a trying month" generally implies a negative experience, characterized by difficulties, stress, or hardship. It's typically used to describe situations that are challenging and require significant effort to overcome.

What makes "a trying month" different from "an eventful month"?

"A trying month" focuses on the difficulties and hardships experienced. In contrast, "an eventful month" simply means that many significant events occurred, without necessarily implying that those events were negative or challenging.