demanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'demanding' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about tasks or expectations that require a lot of effort, dedication, and hard work. For example: "The new job comes with a very demanding schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Each morning for an hour we power through a series of demanding postures – downwards dogs and warriors – switching on tired muscles and stretching out the lower back and spine, which feels good after long hours paddling.

The Guardian - Travel

At the very least Guardiola might hope to find a trio of central defenders mobile and assured enough to adapt to a demanding system.

The Guardian - Sport

The White House has distanced itself from Britain's handling of the leaked NSA documents when representatives said it would be difficult to imagine the US authorities following the example of Whitehall in demanding the destruction of media hard drives.

The Guardian

We then see Murielle in hospital, demanding that her children be buried in "leur pays" - "their country", by which she means Morocco.

The Guardian - Film

A ticket seller was hit by a supporter demanding his money back but the most striking thing was how calm it was, how serene people were.

The Guardian - Sport

I want to change things, that's what people are demanding.

The Guardian

At the same time, wine drinkers the world over started becoming more demanding.

The Guardian

Equally he has the venue they deserve, Royal County Down is a classic links course, hugely demanding and offering a unique challenge that will be enthralling to watch.

The Guardian - Sport

But the Scots won't be the last of the many peoples demanding self-determination in a rapidly shattering old world order.

The Guardian - Opinion

The extent of Farage's ambitions came to light as Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg faced a serious backlash from party malcontents, including at least two parliamentary candidates and several prominent councillors, as activists gathered names on a petition demanding he be replaced immediately by a new leader.

The Guardian

Brown has hired the defamation lawyer Mark O'Brien and is demanding a public apology, the ABC reported.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing tasks or roles, use "demanding" to accurately convey the high level of commitment, skill, or effort required. This will help set clear expectations.

Common error

While "demanding" is versatile, avoid overuse in casual conversation. In informal settings, consider alternatives like "tough" or "challenging" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "demanding" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe their intensity or difficulty. Ludwig provides examples where "demanding" describes tasks, roles, or even courses, emphasizing the high level of effort required.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Travel

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "demanding" functions primarily as an adjective, used to describe something that requires significant effort, skill, or commitment. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and formal business settings. When writing, it's advisable to use "demanding" to accurately convey the level of intensity required while being mindful of the context's formality. Alternatives like "challenging" or "exacting" can be considered depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Be mindful that "demanding" is less appropriate in casual conversation where it might sound overly formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging

Focuses on the difficulty and the need for effort to overcome it.

exacting

Emphasizes strictness and precision in requirements.

arduous

Highlights the strenuous and tiring nature of something.

rigorous

Implies thoroughness and strict adherence to rules or standards.

taxing

Stresses the draining effect on one's resources or energy.

strenuous

Emphasizes the need for great physical or mental exertion.

difficult

A general term indicating something is not easy to do or achieve.

onerous

Highlights the burdensome nature of a task or responsibility.

tough

Suggests resilience and strength are needed to deal with something.

laborious

Focuses on the effort and time required to complete something.

FAQs

How can I use "demanding" in a sentence?

You can use "demanding" to describe tasks, jobs, or people that require a lot of effort or have high expectations. For instance, "That new project is quite demanding."

What are some synonyms for "demanding"?

Alternatives to "demanding" include "challenging", "exacting", or "difficult" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "the job is demanding" or "the job demands a lot"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "the job is demanding" emphasizes the inherent nature of the job, while "the job demands a lot" focuses on what the job requires from the person doing it.

When is it not appropriate to use "demanding"?

Avoid using "demanding" in very informal or casual situations where simpler words like "tough" or "tricky" might be more appropriate.