challenging to accept

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "challenging to accept" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is difficult for someone to come to terms with or acknowledge. Example: "The news of her departure was challenging to accept for the entire team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Rich in flavor, thick, decadent and very filling, it became challenging to accept any other version.

Huffington Post

(Carer 22, wife of Sikh patient with non-malignant illness, stage 1 interview) A few patients found it challenging to accept personal care from non-Asian caregivers; concerns were expressed about privacy and cultural misunderstandings.

British Medical Journal

The Archbishop slammed such tales as 'conspiracies and cover-ups' and described them as 'an easy option' for those who found the 'New Testament' too challenging to accept.

The Guardian

Be realistic and talk to someone When you are struggling financially it can be challenging to accept that you might need help.

The Guardian

As a parent of still much younger children, I've often thought that their most powerful rebellion against my husband and me could lie in some similarly conservative decisions: embracing a religious life or a very early marriage would certainly come as a surprise to us, and one that we would find challenging to accept.

The New York Times

"He can make mistakes and I know as you age it is more difficult, more challenging to accept one's mistakes.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Nearly 12 years after the invasion of Iraq, Tony Blair has been challenged to accept his role in creating the religious extremism that is gripping parts of the world,.

The Guardian - Business

We fervently hope the private approach can control drug costs, but Congressional Republicans should be challenged to accept such a trigger.

The New York Times

But it's still a challenge to accept payments from his countrymen.

TechCrunch

To the challenge to accept ordinary testimony "Why do you believe that stranger's testimony?," a common response is: "Why shouldn't I?" That response implies that the burden is on the challenger to justify any doubts.

SEP

Until you can fully embrace all that you are, you will keep finding it a challenge to accept love and appreciation from someone else.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "challenging to accept", consider the audience's perspective. Acknowledge the difficulty before presenting the information. For example, "While the data is challenging to accept, it is crucial for informed decision-making."

Common error

Avoid using "challenging to accept" without explaining why something is difficult to accept. Always provide sufficient context to help the reader understand the challenge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "challenging to accept" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes something that requires effort or presents a difficulty in being accepted or believed, as suggested by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "challenging to accept" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase indicating difficulty in believing or understanding something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's most frequently found in news and media and scientific contexts. While "challenging to accept" conveys difficulty, it's important to provide context to explain the source of the challenge. Alternatives include "difficult to accept" and "hard to believe". When using the phrase, remember that it is better to indicate the actual cause for the difficulty to improve clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to come to terms with

Replaces "challenging" with "difficult" and uses a more elaborate phrase structure.

hard to swallow

Uses a metaphorical expression to convey the difficulty in accepting something.

tough to reconcile oneself to

Implies an internal struggle to accept an idea or situation.

not easy to stomach

Similar to "hard to swallow", using a visceral metaphor for difficulty.

unpalatable to consider

Focuses on the unpleasantness of the idea being accepted.

demanding acceptance

Highlights the high demands that acceptance of something requires.

formidable to embrace

Suggests that fully accepting something is like overcoming a large obstacle.

taxing to internalize

Emphasizes the mental effort involved in accepting something.

onerous to consent to

Indicates a burdensome obligation to accept something.

burdensome to believe

Highlights the weight of having to accept or believe something.

FAQs

What does "challenging to accept" mean?

The phrase "challenging to accept" means that something is difficult to believe, understand, or come to terms with. It implies a degree of resistance or mental effort required for acceptance.

What can I say instead of "challenging to accept"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult to accept", "hard to believe", or "tough to reconcile oneself to" depending on the context.

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

Both "challenging to accept" and "difficult to accept" are grammatically correct and convey similar meanings. "Challenging" might imply a slightly more active or engaging form of difficulty.

How to use "challenging to accept" in a sentence?

Use "challenging to accept" to describe a situation, fact, or idea that requires effort to understand or believe. For example, "The implications of the study are challenging to accept, but they are supported by evidence."