arduous existence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "arduous existence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a life or situation that is difficult, challenging, or requires a lot of effort to endure. Example: "Despite the arduous existence they faced in the remote village, the community remained resilient and hopeful for a better future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Set primarily in Rome between 1941 and 1947, its focus is the arduous existence of a simple, half-Jewish elementary school teacher and her young son, Useppe, born after she is raped by a German soldier.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Can existence not exist?

WikiHow

GOLDEN DOOR Emanuele Crialese wrote and directs this expensive-looking film, which follows a Sicilian man, Salvatore Mancuso (the strapping Vincenzo Amato), his two sons, and his mother as they leave their simple rural existence behind for an arduous journey on a steamer for America.

The New Yorker

Friendly regards such arduous exercises as a natural and unavoidable part of his everyday existence.

The New Yorker

Almost none of Marxism Today's writers were paid, but he insisted that most pieces were rewritten two or three times – though if that seemed unnecessarily arduous, he could always point to the travails of his own existence.

The Guardian

Gillan plays Eliza, a social-media loving career gal who is continually shamed regarding every aspect of her existence, and John Cho plays Henry, an executive who takes on the allegedly arduous task of making her over.

Huffington Post

Uncovering the existence and direction of interactions between elements of a set of signals remains a difficult and arduous task that one has to face if one wants to understand the mechanisms at work in most biological phenomena and make full use of the high-throughput experimental data that is now more and more available.

Plosone

— far more arduous.

The New York Times

The conditions were arduous.

Independent

"But it is arduous".

The New York Times

Economists 12. Arduous 13.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "arduous existence" when you want to emphasize both the difficulty and the sustained nature of someone's life. It's more impactful than simply saying 'hard life'.

Common error

Avoid using "arduous existence" in everyday conversation or informal writing. It is best suited for formal contexts or when you want to create a sense of seriousness and gravitas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "arduous existence" functions as a noun phrase, where "arduous" modifies the noun "existence". It describes the nature or quality of someone's life. Ludwig provides examples showing it used to depict lives marked by difficulty and hardship.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "arduous existence" is a phrase used to describe a difficult and challenging life, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a noun phrase and is most appropriate in formal or serious contexts. While grammatically correct, its usage is relatively rare, predominantly appearing in news, encyclopedias and scientific articles. For less formal situations, alternatives like ""difficult life"" or "hard life" might be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult life

Focuses more on the general challenges and struggles of living.

challenging existence

Emphasizes the demanding and testing nature of someone's life.

hard life

A simpler and more direct way to describe a life filled with hardship.

strenuous lifestyle

Highlights the physical and mental exertion required in daily living.

demanding circumstances

Shifts the focus to the difficult conditions that make life hard.

grueling routine

Concentrates on the exhausting and relentless nature of daily activities.

taxing situation

Points to the emotionally and mentally draining aspects of a person's life.

precarious situation

Suggests a life filled with instability and uncertainty.

trying times

Refers to a period marked by significant difficulty and adversity.

burdensome existence

Emphasizes the heavy load of responsibilities and troubles in one's life.

FAQs

What does "arduous existence" mean?

The phrase "arduous existence" describes a life that is difficult, challenging, and requires significant effort and endurance. It suggests a prolonged period of hardship and struggle.

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

You can use "arduous existence" to describe the life of someone facing continuous hardships. For instance, "Despite the "difficult life", she remained resilient".

What are some alternatives to "arduous existence"?

Alternatives include phrases like ""difficult life"", "challenging existence", or "hard life", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "arduous existence" formal or informal?

"Arduous existence" is generally considered a formal phrase. Simpler terms like "hard life" might be more appropriate in informal contexts.