challenging to admit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "challenging to admit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is difficult for someone to acknowledge or confess, often due to personal feelings or societal pressures. Example: "It was challenging to admit that I needed help with my mental health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It can be challenging to admit making a mistake.

Forbes

It is very challenging to admit such a young woman.

BMC Medical Ethics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Never short of an extravagant soundbite, Paddy Ashdown was challenged to admit Vince Cable would be a better Lib Dem leader than Nick Clegg.

The Guardian

Nursing programs across the United States are faced with the challenge to admit greater numbers of students and improve retention and progression rates of enrolled students.

Teaching and Learning in Nursing

Demanding a yes or no answer, he challenged Cameron to admit that his planned cap on immingration would have no impact on migrants from the European Union.

The Guardian

He said he welcomed the growth figures, but he challenged Osborne to admit that people's living standards were not going up.

The Guardian

He suggests a right to challenge decisions to admit or keep people as inpatients and adds that community-based providers should be able to approach individuals, families, commissioners and clinicians with local alternatives to inpatient care.

The Guardian

During prime minister's questions in Parliament, he challenged Gordon Brown to admit that "top-down targets" had contributed to the outbreak.When asked to comment on such claims, the commission's chief executive, Anna Walker, described them as "facile".

The Economist

Insisting the prime minister was forced by the opposition into doing "the right thing", he added: "Why does he keep getting it wrong?" The two leaders also locked horns over the economy, as Cameron challenged Brown to admit he did not end "boom and bust" and that Britain was in the longest and deepest recession since records began.

The Guardian

Under pressure Clegg, no longer the novelty act of a fortnight ago, hit back at Cameron, saying: "Let's save time and assume that every time you talk about our policy you are simply wrong". Demanding a yes or no answer, he challenged Cameron to admit that his planned cap on immingration would have no impact on migrants from the European Union.

The Guardian

Too often, we don't challenge people to admit mistakes.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "challenging to admit", provide context to explain why the admission is difficult. This helps the reader understand the emotional or practical barriers involved.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "challenging to admit" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "hard to admit" or "difficult to say" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "challenging to admit" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an infinitive, describing something that is difficult to acknowledge. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "challenging to admit" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something difficult to acknowledge or confess. While Ludwig AI validates its correctness, it is relatively rare and leans toward a neutral to formal tone. It's commonly found in news and media contexts, often used to convey a thoughtful expression of difficulty. When choosing this phrase, consider the context and whether a more straightforward alternative like "difficult to admit" or "hard to confess" might be more appropriate. Ensure you provide enough context to explain why the admission is particularly "challenging".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to acknowledge

Focuses on the difficulty in recognizing or accepting something.

hard to confess

Emphasizes the struggle in admitting something, especially a wrongdoing.

tough to concede

Highlights the reluctance in yielding or admitting defeat or error.

not easy to accept

Underscores the complexity of internalizing a fact or situation.

a struggle to acknowledge

Positions the act of acknowledgement as a conflict or effort.

awkward to own up to

Indicates discomfort or embarrassment in admitting responsibility.

uncomfortable to recognize

Focuses on the unease associated with acknowledging something, especially a truth.

a hurdle to confess

Depicts confessing as an obstacle to overcome.

delicate to reveal

Highlights the sensitivity required when disclosing something.

taxing to avow

Implies that admitting something requires significant effort or resources.

FAQs

How can I use "challenging to admit" in a sentence?

You can use "challenging to admit" to describe something that is difficult to acknowledge or confess. For example, "It was challenging to admit that I needed help".

What are some alternatives to "challenging to admit"?

Alternatives include "difficult to acknowledge", "hard to confess", or "tough to concede", depending on the specific context.

Is "challenging to admit" formal or informal?

"Challenging to admit" leans towards the formal side. In more casual settings, consider using phrases like "hard to admit" or "difficult to say".

When is it appropriate to use "challenging to admit" over "difficult to admit"?

"Challenging to admit" is appropriate when you want to emphasize the demanding nature or the ordeal of the admission, whereas "difficult to admit" is more straightforward.