can be demanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'can be demanding' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is difficult or requires a lot of effort. For example: "Working full-time and going to school can be demanding, but it is worth it in the long run."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Clients can be demanding.

The New York Times - Arts

He can be demanding, too.

The New York Times - Sports

These photos can be demanding.

The New York Times

Legitimate J.D.M. cars can be demanding, too.

The New York Times

Not surprisingly, the work can be demanding.

The Economist

Even here, customers can be demanding.

The New York Times

However, it can be demanding.

The Guardian

Tours can be demanding or family-friendly, as you choose.

The Guardian - Travel

But apparently even that seemingly effortless duty can be demanding.

The New York Times - Style

They can be demanding, disruptive, disagreeable, rebellious, and even antisocial.

Harvard Business Review

The majors that college students choose can be demanding and limit opportunities to explore other topics.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can be demanding", ensure the context clearly specifies what is demanding (e.g., a task, a person, a situation) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "can be demanding" as a vague statement without explaining the specific demands or challenges involved. Instead of saying "The job can be demanding", specify what makes it demanding, such as "The job can be demanding due to long hours and high-pressure deadlines".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be demanding" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a quality or characteristic of a subject. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates that something requires considerable effort, resources or specific skills. Examples show it modifying a range of nouns, from tasks to people.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

36%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can be demanding" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that serves to describe something requiring considerable effort or resources. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its purpose is to inform and set expectations about potential challenges. The phrase enjoys broad applicability, appearing in neutral contexts across news, scientific, and academic domains. Alternative phrases, such as "can be challenging" or "can be taxing", offer nuanced ways to express similar sentiments. When using "can be demanding", clarity is key; always specify what exactly is demanding to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be challenging

Focuses on the difficulty aspect.

can be arduous

Emphasizes the strenuous effort required.

can be taxing

Highlights the draining or burdensome nature.

can be rigorous

Stresses strictness and thoroughness.

can be difficult

A more general term for not being easy.

can be onerous

Highlights the burdensome or troublesome aspect.

can be exacting

Focuses on requiring great precision or accuracy.

can be strenuous

Emphasizes the need for physical exertion.

can require considerable effort

Explicitly states the need for a large amount of effort.

can present difficulties

Highlights the aspect of posing problems or obstacles.

FAQs

How can I use "can be demanding" in a sentence?

You can use "can be demanding" to describe tasks, people, or situations that require significant effort or resources. For example, "Parenting can be demanding", or "The application process can be demanding".

What can I say instead of "can be demanding"?

You can use alternatives like "can be challenging", "can be difficult", or "can be taxing" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "can be demanding" in writing?

"Can be demanding" is appropriate when you want to convey that something requires significant effort, resources, or skills. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, as seen across various sources Ludwig provides.

What's the difference between "can be demanding" and "can be difficult"?

While both phrases indicate something is not easy, "can be demanding" emphasizes the amount of effort, resources, or specific qualities required, whereas "can be difficult" is a more general term for not being easy.