can be exhausting

USAGE SUMMARY

'can be exhausting' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an activity or situation that requires a lot of effort and is very tiring. For example: "Studying for exams can be exhausting, but the feeling of accomplishment after you finish is worth it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Auden's mannerisms can be exhausting.

The New Yorker

This can be exhausting".

The Guardian

Freshers week can be exhausting.

The Guardian

It can be exhausting, frankly.

The New York Times

Real life can be exhausting.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The work can be exhausting.

The New York Times

But both fights can be exhausting.

The Economist

AS ANY mum knows, carrying the kids can be exhausting.

The Economist

But managing all of that can be exhausting.

The New York Times

Either way, she says, it can be exhausting.

The New York Times - Magazine

'This can be exhausting and at times dangerous.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can be exhausting", ensure the subject is clearly defined. For example, instead of just saying "It can be exhausting", specify what 'it' refers to, like "The constant travel can be exhausting".

Common error

While "can be exhausting" is widely acceptable, be mindful of overuse in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and impactful alternatives like "can be debilitating" or "can be taxing" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be exhausting" functions as a predicate adjective phrase. Ludwig AI shows it's used to describe the potential of something to cause fatigue. The modal verb "can" indicates possibility or potential, while "exhausting" serves as the adjective describing the effect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

14%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can be exhausting" is a versatile and commonly used expression, indicating that something has the potential to cause fatigue. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts, from news and media to wikis and scientific publications. While it maintains a neutral register, mindful use of synonyms such as "can be draining" or "can be tiring" is advisable for maintaining stylistic variation, particularly in formal writing. The phrase effectively conveys the energy-depleting nature of various activities and situations, making it a valuable tool for expressing potential fatigue in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be draining

Focuses on the depleting of energy or resources, similar to exhausting.

can be tiring

A more direct and common synonym for exhausting.

can be wearying

Emphasizes the mental or emotional fatigue involved.

can be grueling

Highlights the severity and difficulty of the experience.

can be demanding

Focuses on the high level of effort and requirements involved.

can be taxing

Stresses the burden and strain placed on one's resources.

can be challenging

Indicates the difficulty and effort required, implying potential exhaustion.

can be overwhelming

Focuses on the feeling of being overloaded, which can lead to exhaustion.

can sap your energy

Directly refers to the loss of energy, leading to exhaustion.

can take its toll

Emphasizes the negative impact and cumulative effect, possibly leading to exhaustion.

FAQs

How to use "can be exhausting" in a sentence?

You can use "can be exhausting" to describe activities or situations that drain your energy. For example, "Long hours at work "can be exhausting"" or "Dealing with difficult customers "can be exhausting"".

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

You can use alternatives like "can be draining", "can be tiring", or "can be wearying" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "can be exhausted"?

While "can be exhausted" is grammatically correct, it has a slightly different meaning. It implies the possibility of reaching a state of complete depletion, whereas "can be exhausting" describes something that causes that depletion. So it depends on what you mean.

What's the difference between "can be exhausting" and "is exhausting"?

"Can be exhausting" indicates a potential or tendency to cause exhaustion, whereas "is exhausting" describes something that is currently causing exhaustion. For example, "Running a marathon can be exhausting" suggests it's generally tiring, while "This marathon is exhausting" means it's currently tiring the speaker.