certainly challenging

USAGE SUMMARY

"certainly challenging" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe something that is difficult or demanding. Example: The exam was certainly challenging, but with hard work and determination, I was able to pass with flying colors.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

It's certainly challenging.

The New York Times

And things were certainly challenging along the way as life usually is.

The Guardian - Opinion

Let's hope so, anyway, as his itinerary is certainly challenging - and he does not have a single visa.

The Guardian

The idea of hell is certainly challenging for both believers and non-believers, but it is difficult to engage with Russell's critique when he does not himself engage with centuries of theological reflection and debate on this issue.

The Guardian - Opinion

Its puzzles are certainly challenging, but even the most difficult in the main story line end up well short of Graduate Record Examination or Law School Admission Test caliber.

The New York Times - Arts

Russell White, a mental health social worker at the North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, believes, "mental health social work is never boring, certainly challenging, and a great opportunity to build relationships with individuals, helping them to live independent, fulfilling lives".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Opponents say that if Proposition 32 wins, they would almost certainly challenge it in court.

The New York Times

I don't think my arrest invalidates my thesis, though it certainly challenges it".

The New York Times

Season breakdown & prediction: Arkansas State can certainly challenge for the Sun Belt championship.

The New York Times

If I was mayor of London, I would certainly challenge that".

The Guardian

Carolyn's romance with Pumpkin certainly challenges some well-intentioned, patronizing attitudes about disability.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing tasks or situations that require substantial effort or skill, "certainly challenging" provides a balanced and professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "certainly challenging" as a generic descriptor without providing specific details about the nature of the challenge. Vague statements can undermine your credibility. Instead, elaborate on the particular aspects that make something difficult.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certainly challenging" functions as an adverbial modifier enhancing an adjective. The adverb "certainly" intensifies the adjective "challenging", emphasizing the degree of difficulty or demanding nature of something. Ludwig examples showcase how this phrase is used to acknowledge complexity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "certainly challenging" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase for acknowledging difficulty with a neutral to formal tone. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various professional and academic contexts, particularly in news and scientific writing. While frequently employed, remember to provide specifics rather than relying on the phrase as a generic descriptor. Alternatives like "indubitably challenging" or "undoubtedly challenging" offer similar nuances, but choose carefully to match the intended emphasis. By avoiding overuse and providing context, you can effectively use "certainly challenging" to set realistic expectations and promote a proactive approach.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indubitably challenging

Replaces 'certainly' with 'indubitably', emphasizing the unquestionable nature of the challenge.

unquestionably challenging

Replaces 'certainly' with 'unquestionably', highlighting that the challenge is beyond any doubt.

undoubtedly challenging

Replaces 'certainly' with 'undoubtedly', stressing the absence of doubt regarding the challenge.

indeed challenging

Substitutes 'certainly' with 'indeed', providing a slightly more emphatic affirmation of the challenge.

surely challenging

Swaps 'certainly' with 'surely', conveying a sense of confidence in the assessment of the challenge.

certainly demanding

Replaces 'challenging' with 'demanding', shifting the focus to the effort required.

necessarily challenging

Replaces 'certainly' with 'necessarily', indicating the challenge is unavoidable or required.

clearly challenging

Replaces 'certainly' with 'clearly', indicating the challenge is easy to understand.

obviously challenging

Replaces 'certainly' with 'obviously', implying the challenge is easily perceived.

really challenging

Replaces 'certainly' with 'really', offering a more informal and direct expression of the challenge.

FAQs

How can I use "certainly challenging" in a sentence?

You can use "certainly challenging" to describe a task, situation, or problem that presents significant difficulties. For example, "The project was "certainly challenging", but we learned a lot from it."

What are some alternatives to "certainly challenging"?

Alternatives include "indubitably challenging", "undoubtedly challenging", or "particularly difficult", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "certainly challenging" formal or informal?

"Certainly challenging" strikes a neutral to slightly formal tone and is appropriate for both professional and academic contexts. More informal options include "really tough" or "pretty hard."

Can I use "certainly challenging" to describe a person?

While you can technically use "certainly challenging" to describe a person who presents difficulties, it's more common and appropriate to use it to describe tasks, situations, or problems. Describing a person as such might be perceived as impolite or indirect.