conceptually challenging

USAGE SUMMARY

"conceptually challenging" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that is intellectually challenging to understand, and requires a great deal of mental effort to comprehend. For example, "The professor's lecture on quantum physics was conceptually challenging, but I felt motivated to go deeper into the topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

It is conceptually challenging.

The Guardian

Not knowing what will come next, or even how today's technologies will intersect tomorrow, is what makes the F.C.C.'s regulatory work so conceptually challenging.

The New York Times

The learning and teaching of biological evolution is conceptually challenging.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

As such, trying to measure resilience remains conceptually challenging (Olsson et al. 2015).

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

Given their age (11 14 years), this was conceptually challenging as it related to events in their adult future.

International Journal of STEM Education

The above are just some illustrations of how the narrative can be used to give context to the often disparate, conceptually challenging, and, frankly, intimidating topics that permeate "microbiology" expectations of your typical senior-level biology course.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

While many of his contemporaries and near-contemporaries (Hockney, Boshier, Smith) emigrated to America both actually and in the temper and content of what they produced, Caulfield - always resistant to any kind of mid-Atlanticism, no convert to the notion of "hip" - triumphantly combined European manners and conceptually complex, intellectually challenging, cutting-edge art.

The Guardian - Arts

Surveillance on paralysis prevalence has been conceptually and methodologically challenging.

Disability and Health Journal

The statistical inference in a high-dimensional parameter space is however conceptually and computationally challenging.

Mathematical Biosciences

Infusing HDL or apoA-1 presents a conceptually simple, but challenging approach.

EMBO Molecular Medicine

For all its well-intentioned rhetoric, President Obama's speech was, sadly, conceptually flawed, empirically challenged, and politically blind to the daily realities that drive hundreds of millions of Muslims to increasing despair.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "conceptually challenging" when you want to emphasize that something requires significant mental effort and a deeper understanding of underlying principles. It's suitable for describing tasks, theories, or ideas that are not easily grasped.

Common error

Avoid using "conceptually challenging" to describe tasks that are merely tedious or physically demanding. This phrase is best reserved for situations that genuinely require advanced cognitive skills and abstract thinking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conceptually challenging" primarily functions as an adjective phrase, modifying nouns to describe tasks, ideas, or subjects that demand significant cognitive effort and abstract thought. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable. Examples include describing mathematics, biological evolution, or measuring resilience.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "conceptually challenging" effectively describes subjects that require significant cognitive effort and abstract thought, signaling that understanding goes beyond rote memorization. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and usability, noting its prevalence in academic, scientific, and news contexts. While alternatives like "conceptually difficult" or "intellectually challenging" exist, "conceptually challenging" offers a specific nuance emphasizing the depth of understanding required. Use it to describe complex ideas that demand critical thinking, but avoid overusing it in simple situations. Ludwig's examples show its versatility, but careful application ensures the phrase retains its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conceptually difficult

Directly states the difficulty in grasping the concept.

conceptually complex

Highlights the complexity inherent in the concept.

conceptually demanding

Focuses more on the demanding nature of the concept itself.

conceptually intricate

Highlights the detailed and complicated nature of the concept.

intellectually challenging

Highlights the intellectual engagement required.

cognitively complex

Indicates the intricate cognitive processes involved.

difficult to comprehend

Focuses on the challenge of achieving full understanding.

mentally taxing

Emphasizes the mental effort required to understand.

hard to grasp

Emphasizes the difficulty in understanding or comprehending the concept.

conceptually problematic

Suggests the presence of issues or problems with the concept itself.

FAQs

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

You can use "conceptually challenging" to describe a task, idea, or theory that requires deep thought and understanding. For example: "Quantum physics is a "conceptually challenging" field of study."

What are some alternatives to "conceptually challenging"?

Some alternatives include "conceptually difficult", "intellectually challenging", or "cognitively complex" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "conceptually challenging" formal or informal?

"Conceptually challenging" is generally considered appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, but it is more commonly used in academic, scientific, or professional settings.

What makes something "conceptually challenging"?

Something is "conceptually challenging" when it requires abstract thinking, a strong grasp of underlying principles, and the ability to connect disparate ideas. It often involves overcoming mental barriers and re-evaluating existing assumptions.