can be grueling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can be grueling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task or experience that is extremely tiring or demanding, often requiring a lot of effort and endurance. Example: "The training program for the marathon can be grueling, pushing participants to their physical limits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The job can be grueling.

The New York Times - Science

Days at the institute can be grueling for patients, Mr. Steinhubl said.

The New York Times

An Inside View TIPS: La Paz's altitude can be grueling at first.

The New York Times - Magazine

Working in government, or even in the highest office in the land — the White House — can be grueling.

Harvard Business Review

Others have made the jump from Wall Street to the restaurant business, and, while they profess to love the food business, they agree that it can be grueling.

The New York Times

It can be grueling – a number of the dancers end up getting hip surgery – but they never regret being part of the tradition.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I said, 'I'm going to fight and find out what happened and who did this, so nobody takes my other children away from me.' " Lawsuits can be grueling.

The New York Times

Sunday mornings are popular for long training runs, sometimes 20 miles or more; Monday mornings can be grueling for the colleague in the neighboring cubicle who hears the stride-by-stride retelling of that run.

The New York Times - Sports

For people with early cancer of the larynx, the standard treatment can be grueling: a biopsy in an operating room followed by a six-week course of radiation that may lead to permanent hoarseness or speech impairment.

The New York Times - Health

Mr. Rollins said his company has had "some fabulous brushes with going out of business," but it now is "doing well enough that we can continue to make new courses". Putting together those courses for The Teaching Company can be grueling.

The New York Times

One last thought: The car-buying negotiation process can be grueling.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can be grueling" to describe situations or activities that require significant physical or mental effort and endurance. It's suitable when you want to emphasize the demanding nature of something.

Common error

While "can be grueling" is effective, avoid using it excessively in your writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your descriptions with synonyms like "can be demanding" or "can be challenging" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be grueling" functions as a descriptor, indicating that something has the potential to be extremely difficult or exhausting. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where the phrase is used to qualify the demanding nature of various activities and situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can be grueling" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something potentially very demanding. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent appearance in news and media, denoting activities or situations requiring significant effort and endurance. While versatile, it's advisable to vary your language with synonyms such as "can be demanding" or "can be challenging" to maintain reader interest. It is suitable for neutral to professional registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can be exhausting

Replaces "grueling" with a more common synonym, focusing on tiredness.

can be demanding

Shifts the focus to the high requirements and effort involved.

can be challenging

Emphasizes the difficulty and the need to overcome obstacles.

can be arduous

Uses a more formal synonym for "grueling", indicating difficulty and effort.

can be taxing

Highlights the burden and strain imposed by the experience.

can be rigorous

Focuses on the strictness and thoroughness, implying difficulty.

can be strenuous

Emphasizes the physical effort and energy required.

can be trying

Highlights the frustrating or testing nature of the experience.

can be difficult

A more general term for something not easy to do or accomplish.

can be tough

A colloquial way of saying something is hard or requires effort.

FAQs

What does "can be grueling" mean?

The phrase "can be grueling" describes something that is extremely tiring and demanding, requiring a lot of effort and endurance.

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

You can use "can be grueling" to describe tasks or experiences. For example: "The training program for the marathon "can be exhausting"".

What are some alternatives to "can be grueling"?

Alternatives include "can be demanding", "can be challenging", or "can be taxing", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "can be grueling" in formal writing?

Yes, "can be grueling" is appropriate for formal writing, although synonyms like "can be arduous" may be more suitable for highly formal contexts.