found challenging

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "found challenging" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that was difficult or posed a challenge to someone. Example: "Many students found the advanced mathematics course challenging, but they persevered and improved their skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Mr. Stack and his wife gamely trotted down to the yoga mats spread out under the palm trees in front of their hotel every morning at 7 and attempted spinal twists and warrior poses, which Mr. Stack, who ordinarily bikes, jogs and plays tennis, found "challenging".

The New York Times

When Ms. Sutphen prepared to leave the State Department this spring, the Foreign Service made her decision easier because, while it took great pride in her as a woman of African-American heritage, it offered her nothing that she found challenging.

The New York Times

At first he worked "alone in a flat," which he found challenging.

Science Magazine

Laura Cox: The part that we found challenging was a lot of [male] investors were a little perplexed.

Forbes

Despite clear indications towards the need to modify certain aspects of video blogging activity, we found "challenging" as an appropriate and productive descriptor for a pedagogical innovation.

Video Journal of Education and Pedagogy

The council said it had struggled to cope with a rise in demand for its services, which it had found "challenging".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

The whole issue of biking with children is one I find challenging.

The New Yorker

But using Kannada on the Web involves computer keyboard maps that even Mr. Ram Prakash finds challenging to learn.

The New York Times - Tech

Students can therefore spend a little longer working at their own pace on something they find challenging.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Finally, planning experiments and working in a systematic fashion are processes students find challenging.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

Before the exam, you should memorise and practise spelling words that you always find challenging.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of something challenging, follow "found challenging" with an explanation of the specific consequences or adaptations made.

Common error

Avoid simply stating something was "found challenging" without providing context. Detail why it was challenging to enhance understanding and engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "found challenging" functions as a verb phrase followed by an adjective, serving to describe a past experience where someone encountered difficulty or a task posed a significant obstacle. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

31%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "found challenging" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to describe past experiences of difficulty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable across various contexts. It is most frequently encountered in News & Media and Scientific publications and serves to convey that a specific task, situation, or activity was not easy. To enhance understanding and engagement, it's best to provide context and specifics about why something was "found challenging". Alternatives like "encountered difficulty" or "struggled with" can be used for semantic variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encountered difficulty

Focuses on the act of experiencing difficulty, slightly more formal.

faced a challenge

Highlights the presence of a challenge that needed to be addressed.

experienced difficulty

Similar to "encountered difficulty" but may imply a broader range of problems.

struggled with

Emphasizes the effort exerted to overcome the difficulty.

had trouble with

A more informal way of expressing difficulty.

had a hard time with

Similar to "had trouble with" but slightly stronger in tone.

deemed difficult

Highlights the perception or judgment of difficulty.

perceived as challenging

Focuses on how something was viewed or interpreted as challenging.

considered tough

An informal synonym, emphasizing the demanding nature.

was tested by

Highlights the testing or straining aspect of the experience.

FAQs

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

"Found challenging" is used to describe an activity, task, or situation that someone experienced as difficult. For example, "Many students "found the advanced mathematics course challenging", but they persevered and improved their skills."

What are some alternatives to "found challenging"?

You can use phrases like "encountered difficulty", "struggled with", or "had trouble with" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "find challenging" or "found challenging"?

"Find challenging" is used to describe something currently perceived as difficult, while "found challenging" refers to a past experience of difficulty. Choose the tense that matches the context of your sentence.

Is it grammatically correct to say "found challenging"?

Yes, "found challenging" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English to describe something that was difficult or presented a challenge in the past.