arduous circumstances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "arduous circumstances" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe difficult or challenging situations that require significant effort to overcome. Example: "Despite the arduous circumstances they faced during the project, the team managed to deliver exceptional results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It takes a lot of concentration to finish a film under less arduous circumstances.

The New York Times

He shot it in the Outback, often in arduous circumstances, and Mandy Walker's cinematogaphy, using a special 35-millimeter film, does full justice to the continent's awe-inspiring desertscapes.

The New York Times

So it's a wonder that this sprightly, evergreen comedy was made under such arduous circumstances, largely thanks to Monroe as her off-street life rapidly fell apart around her. Curtis claims he never said working with Marilyn was "like kissing Hitler", but we print the legend anyway – because it's more fun.

The Guardian - Film

In October 1897, London had arrived in Dawson City on a hastily constructed boat in far more arduous circumstances than I, including a dangerous, 800km voyage downriver from the Yukon's headwaters in British Columbia.

BBC

Peers who fulfill their mission under extremely arduous circumstances.

Huffington Post

He chose to conduct these two 70-minute scores for the first time under the arduous circumstances of the Bowl's limited rehearsal schedule and with a mismatched cast (although a good one) given practically no time to develop theatrical rapport.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Travelling in arduous and sometimes dangerous circumstances, they searched for the Toltec remains, Tylor under Christy's experienced direction gaining practical knowledge of archaeological and anthropological fieldwork.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Perhaps unfairly, he is less renowned for his oddly brilliant movies than for the arduous, and sometimes savage, circumstances under which they were made.

The New Yorker

Securing an apartment can be arduous under the best of circumstances, and pet owners sometimes simply run out of time.

The New York Times

And this perception that this was a very lucrative and in most circumstances not that arduous.

Huffington Post

That's an arduous task in the best of circumstances -- which this is not".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "arduous circumstances" when you want to emphasize both the difficulty and the surrounding context that makes the situation challenging. The term implies a complex interplay of factors that contribute to the overall hardship.

Common error

Avoid using "arduous circumstances" for situations that are merely inconvenient or slightly challenging. The phrase is best reserved for conditions that are genuinely demanding and require considerable resilience to overcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "arduous circumstances" functions as a noun phrase, where "arduous" modifies the noun "circumstances". It is primarily used to describe scenarios that are exceptionally difficult and demanding, as shown by Ludwig's examples involving challenging film productions and dangerous expeditions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "arduous circumstances" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe exceptionally challenging situations. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's most frequently found in news and media, encyclopedias and science. While "arduous circumstances" isn't incorrect, writers should consider the context and desired tone, opting for simpler alternatives like "challenging situation" in less formal settings. When the intent is to emphasize severity and the need for resilience, "arduous circumstances" remains a precise and impactful choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging situation

Replaces both the adjective and noun with synonyms, focusing on the difficulty of the situation.

difficult predicament

Substitutes "circumstances" with "predicament", implying a troublesome or dangerous situation.

trying conditions

Replaces "arduous" with "trying", highlighting the testing nature of the conditions.

tough situation

Uses a more informal synonym for "arduous", making the phrase less formal.

demanding environment

Shifts the focus to the environment, emphasizing the high demands placed on individuals within it.

strenuous conditions

Replaces "arduous" with "strenuous", indicating conditions requiring great effort and energy.

taxing environment

Highlights the draining or burdensome nature of the environment.

complex situation

Focuses on the intricate and complicated nature of the circumstances.

unfavorable conditions

Emphasizes the negative or disadvantageous aspect of the conditions.

adverse situation

Uses "adverse" to highlight the opposing or harmful nature of the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "arduous circumstances" in a sentence?

"Arduous circumstances" describes difficult situations requiring significant effort. For example: "Despite the "arduous circumstances", they persevered".

What are some alternatives to "arduous circumstances"?

You can use alternatives like "challenging situation", "difficult predicament", or "trying conditions" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "arduous circumstances" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "arduous circumstances" leans towards formal usage. In informal contexts, consider using simpler phrases like "tough situation" or "hard times".

What distinguishes "arduous circumstances" from "difficult circumstances"?

"Arduous circumstances" emphasizes the demanding and effortful nature of the situation, while "difficult circumstances" is a more general term for any challenging situation. "Arduous" implies a need for endurance and resilience.