arduous lesson

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "arduous lesson" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a lesson that is difficult, challenging, or requires a lot of effort to understand or learn. Example: "After struggling through the arduous lesson on calculus, the students finally grasped the complex concepts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A young Mr. Ozawa once fled from a particularly arduous lesson in his bare feet, only to slink back to retrieve his shoes through the back door, Mr. Ozawa's mother, Sakura, recalled in an essay in 1995.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Certainly more journalists with a working knowledge of calculus would not be a bad thing, and manga lovers might find enough entertainment to carry them through the arduous lessons.

The New York Times

Mr. Corneau's painstaking attention to detail included requiring that all the principal actors take six months of arduous lessons to learn the fingering for playing the viola de gamba, a bowed, fretted, stringed instrument used primarily in the Renaissance and Baroque periods.

The New York Times

Let me set the scene: after a particularly arduous history lesson we arrived in the common room to find them all sprawled on our sofas, their crusty faux creepers smearing dried mud on our sodding seats, their fucking tongue piercings wantonly oozing pus.

Vice

In the mental sphere, this meant conquering mental laziness with arduous and sometimes numbingly boring lessons.

The New York Times

But the biggest lesson from the long, arduous debate in Congress and town halls is this: the public is the adult in the room and are pointing the way to consensus on health care reform.

Huffington Post

The department Chief Smith now leads and the city it serves are in the arduous stages of trying to integrate lessons drawn from the episode that brought infamy to Sanford 16 months ago.

The New York Times

— far more arduous.

The New York Times

This lesson was scored into me as a teenager in the Cairngorms, when I was on a thing called, with chilling accuracy, an Arduous Training Camp.

The Guardian - Travel

The conditions were arduous.

Independent

Second, clinical trials are arduous.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a learning experience, use "arduous lesson" to emphasize not only the difficulty but also the sustained effort and commitment required to master the material.

Common error

Avoid using "arduous lesson" to describe a simple or introductory learning experience. Reserve this phrase for situations where the learning curve is steep and the required effort is exceptionally high.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "arduous lesson" functions as a noun phrase, where "arduous" is an adjective modifying the noun "lesson". According to Ludwig, it is a grammatically sound construction, which signifies a difficult and taxing learning experience.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "arduous lesson" effectively describes a challenging learning experience, as confirmed by Ludwig. While grammatically correct and understandable, it is less common than alternatives like "difficult lesson" or "challenging lesson". It functions as a noun phrase, emphasizing the demanding nature of the lesson and is frequently found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, make sure to reserve it for learning experiences that truly require significant effort and persistence. It is considered a neutral term that can be used in various contexts. The alternative and related phrases can add greater variety to the text.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Challenging lesson

Replaces "arduous" with a more common synonym, "challenging", indicating difficulty.

Difficult lesson

Uses "difficult" as a direct substitute for "arduous", simplifying the phrase.

Demanding lesson

Emphasizes the high requirements and effort needed in the lesson.

Strenuous lesson

Highlights the energy and effort required to complete the lesson.

Tough lesson

A more informal way of expressing the difficulty of the lesson.

Grueling lesson

Implies the lesson is exhausting and severely demanding.

Testing lesson

Focuses on the aspect of the lesson that assesses one's abilities.

Taxing lesson

Suggests the lesson is burdensome and puts a strain on one's resources.

Rigorous lesson

Emphasizes the strictness and thoroughness of the lesson.

Formidable lesson

Indicates the lesson presents a significant challenge due to its complexity.

FAQs

What does "arduous lesson" mean?

The phrase "arduous lesson" describes a learning experience that is exceptionally difficult and demands considerable effort, perseverance, and commitment to master. It goes beyond a simple challenge and implies a sustained period of hard work.

What can I say instead of "arduous lesson"?

You can use alternatives like "challenging lesson", "difficult lesson", or "demanding lesson" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. All these phrases denote a tough learning experience but with slightly different emphasis.

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

You might say, "After an "arduous lesson" on quantum physics, the student felt both exhausted and enlightened." This shows the lesson was not only difficult but also rewarding.

Is "arduous lesson" a common phrase?

While grammatically correct and understandable, "arduous lesson" isn't as common as simpler alternatives like "difficult lesson" or "challenging lesson". Its use adds a layer of intensity and formality to the description.