challenging to bear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "challenging to bear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation or experience that is difficult to endure or tolerate. Example: "The loss of a loved one can be incredibly challenging to bear, leaving a lasting impact on one's emotional well-being."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Just as his Batman trilogy was far more philosophical and knottily plotted than the average superhero movie, Interstellar is sufficiently grand and challenging to bear comparison with those two touchstones of mind-bending epic sci-fi: Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey and Tarkovsky's Solaris.

BBC

Though religious communities teach about forgiveness, but find it quite challenging to bear witness to its power; because life within so many of them is not much different from life outside of them.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Yet she says that he was able to feel fully, creatively alive, galvanized by the challenge to bear witness immediately after his concentration camp ordeal.

The New York Times - Books

Preliminary results in Glacier National Park suggest the method works.One of the biggest challenges to bear conservationists over the coming decades will be to connect existing bear populations to one another.

The Economist

Brooke Smith, who plays Sonya, the professor's plain daughter, aching with unrequited love for Astrov, remembers Mr. Gregory challenging her to bore him, claiming it couldn't be done.

The New York Times

The Sala challenges the visitor to "bear witness to the pain of the female experience under the prejudice of patriarchal society," the press release explains.

Vice

The Soviet Union has something to respond with to whatever challenge is brought to bear.

The New York Times

I'm rather glad I wasn't aware, other than by repute, of Lindsay's critical writing before we worked together: I might have found the challenge too intimidating to bear.

The Guardian - Books

But anyone contemplating such a challenge will need to bear in mind that this is the type of policy area where the courts will be extremely reluctant to interfere with decisions made by parliament, as the cases of Quayle and Altham themselves indicate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Informed by positioning theory, this study draws upon multimodal analysis to provide microanalytic longitudinal mapping of the classroom interactional architecture, including the multimodal fluencies the student brings to bear on challenging interactions with peers.

Linguistics and Education

Looking and watching are frequent thematic concerns, and can be powerful: both George and Francescho will use their eyes and their art (a painting, a cameraphone) to bear witness, to challenge power.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "challenging to bear", ensure the subject clearly identifies what is causing the difficulty. This provides clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "challenging to bear" in overly passive constructions. Instead of saying 'The situation was challenging to be borne', opt for 'It was challenging to bear the situation' for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "challenging to bear" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an implied noun, typically describing a situation, feeling, or responsibility. It indicates the degree of difficulty associated with enduring or tolerating something. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Academia

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "challenging to bear" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for describing situations or experiences that are difficult to endure or tolerate. While Ludwig identifies its frequency as uncommon, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. The phrase functions as an adjective phrase, expressing difficulty in enduring a situation, and its register is neutral. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies what is causing the difficulty. Understanding these nuances will enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to endure

Focuses on the hardship of enduring something over time.

hard to tolerate

Emphasizes the difficulty in accepting or putting up with something.

tough to withstand

Highlights the strength needed to resist something.

unbearable to experience

Emphasizes the intensity and negative nature of an experience.

trying to put up with

Focuses on the effort required to tolerate a situation.

demanding to handle

Highlights the effort needed to manage a situation.

strenuous to cope with

Emphasizes the difficulty in dealing with something effectively.

taxing to undergo

Highlights the draining effect of experiencing something.

onerous to live through

Emphasizes the burdensome nature of an experience.

formidable to confront

Highlights the scale of the challenge in facing something.

FAQs

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

Use "challenging to bear" to describe situations or experiences that are difficult to endure or tolerate. For example: "The emotional weight of the situation was "challenging to bear"".

What are some alternatives to "challenging to bear"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult to endure", "hard to tolerate", or "tough to withstand" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "challenged to bear" instead of "challenging to bear"?

"Challenged to bear" implies a call to action or a test of one's ability, while "challenging to bear" describes something inherently difficult. The correct phrase depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "challenging to bear" and "difficult to bear"?

While both phrases convey a sense of hardship, "challenging to bear" might suggest an opportunity for growth or resilience, whereas "difficult to bear" primarily emphasizes the negative aspect of the experience.