challenging conditions

USAGE SUMMARY

"challenging conditions" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to difficult circumstances. For example, "The teacher was faced with challenging conditions in the classroom, but remained resolute in her commitment to the students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The system adapts to challenging conditions by capturing multiple frames.

Columbia University

Steelworkers' skills, built up over a long period in challenging conditions, are not easily transferable.

The Guardian - Business

The success of Slumdog created challenging conditions for every other awards hopeful in the market.

The Guardian - Film

The company, which floated in 2010 at 200p, said it faced challenging conditions in Europe and the US.

The Guardian - Business

Chief executive Keith Jones said the retailer's performance was broadly in line with expectations despite challenging conditions.

The Guardian - Business

A toxic mix of recession, limited credit and consumers unwilling to spend has created challenging conditions in every sector.

The Guardian

A hillwalker was rescued in challenging conditions on Saturday night after getting into difficulty on The Cobbler in Argyll.

The Times

Lifeboat volunteers encountered challenging conditions off Skye on Wednesday.

BBC

Here, robur is overwhelmed by petraea, which can adapt better to challenging conditions.

Forbes

However, analysts said that Black Friday had distorted sales and retailers faced challenging conditions.

BBC

It said it had faced challenging conditions "due to consumer confidence levels and the broader impact on discretionary spending".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "challenging conditions", ensure the context clearly defines what makes the conditions difficult. Provide specific details to enhance understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "challenging conditions" as a vague descriptor. Always specify the nature of the challenges involved to provide meaningful information and avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "challenging conditions" functions as a noun phrase, where "challenging" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "conditions". It describes the state or circumstances as difficult and demanding. As per Ludwig AI, this is a correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "challenging conditions" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to describe difficult or demanding circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Its versatility allows it to be applied across various contexts, from business and science to news and general discussions. While it's important to provide context to specify the nature of the challenges, this phrase remains a valuable tool for conveying the presence of difficulties and the need for effort and resilience. Related phrases, such as "difficult circumstances" or "adverse situations", offer alternative ways to express similar ideas with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Difficult circumstances

Focuses on the situation being hard to deal with.

Adverse situations

Emphasizes the negative or unfavorable nature of the conditions.

Tough environment

Highlights the demanding nature of the surroundings or context.

Demanding circumstances

Stresses the high requirements and efforts needed.

Testing times

Indicates a period of difficulty that assesses one's resilience.

Arduous conditions

Highlights the labor-intensive or strenuous aspect of the circumstances.

Formidable situation

Focuses on the intimidating and difficult to overcome nature of the scenario.

Precarious environment

Emphasizes the instability and risk associated with the conditions.

Strenuous circumstances

Highlights the physically or mentally taxing nature of the conditions.

Grim situation

Emphasizes the bleak and unfavorable nature of the situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "challenging conditions" to describe difficult circumstances, such as "The company faced "challenging conditions" due to the economic downturn" or "The athletes had to perform under "challenging conditions" because of the extreme weather".

What are some alternatives to "challenging conditions"?

Alternatives include "difficult circumstances", "adverse situations", or "tough environment". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "challenging conditions" or "difficult conditions"?

Both "challenging conditions" and "difficult conditions" are acceptable. "Challenging conditions" often implies an opportunity for growth or improvement, while "difficult conditions" simply emphasizes the hardship.

Can "challenging conditions" refer to both physical and abstract situations?

Yes, "challenging conditions" can refer to both physical environments (e.g., ""challenging conditions" on a mountain climb") and abstract situations (e.g., ""challenging conditions" in the job market").