gruelling time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gruelling time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a period that is extremely demanding or exhausting, often in a physical or mental sense. Example: "After a gruelling time preparing for the marathon, she finally felt ready to compete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Even so, it was a gruelling time.

The Guardian - Tech

May is tough, but she could face a gruelling time from her fellow leaders.

The Guardian - Business

She would assist me at the end of the game, that desperate, gruelling time when one has only a few letters remaining, the majority of them vowels, and the board is already so crowded that there is no place to spell even the word "it".

The New Yorker

England play Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series which starts on 26 March and Pietersen is preparing for a gruelling time as England try to maintain their number one Test ranking slot.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

These are gruelling times for those in Europe who identify themselves as Jewish or have a Jewish background.

The Guardian

Then in January "The Legend of King Naresuan" set a new record for the Thai box-office, taking 120m baht ($3.4m) in its first four days, despite a shortage of prints of the film and, at three hours, a gruelling running time.The Naresuan trilogy, whose second episode opens on February 15th, took four years to make and is, at 700m baht, the most expensive film ever made in Thailand.

The Economist

Studying interactions is gruelling and time-consuming work.

The Economist

It's the same gruelling schedule and time commitments.

The Guardian - Arts

A couple of climbs up l'Alpe d'Huez and a summit finish on the Ventoux should sort the men from the boys before a final, gruelling and hilly time trial around Annecy.

Independent

Strong winds lash Lincolnshire's Boston Rowing Club on a chilly December morning as Britain's leading rowers prepare for a gruelling 5km winter time trial.

BBC

The business of headship is full-on and, at times, gruelling.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a period as a "gruelling time", ensure you provide specific examples of what made it so challenging to enhance the impact of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "gruelling time" as a vague descriptor. Instead of saying "It was a gruelling time", specify what made it gruelling. For example, "The project deadline made it a "challenging time", with long hours and high stress levels."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gruelling time" functions as a noun phrase, where "gruelling" acts as a descriptive adjective modifying the noun "time". This phrase typically describes a period marked by significant difficulty, effort, and exhaustion. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gruelling time" describes a period marked by extreme hardship and difficulty. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While grammatically sound, it is relatively rare. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts. When using "gruelling time", providing specific details about the challenges experienced can enhance the impact of your writing. Alternatives include "arduous period", "difficult phase", and ""challenging time"".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging time

Replaces "gruelling" with a more approachable synonym that indicates difficulty and testing of one's abilities.

strenuous period

Replaces "gruelling" with "strenuous", which suggests the need for great effort and energy.

arduous period

Replaces "gruelling" with a synonym emphasizing difficulty and effort.

tough period

Uses "tough" as a more informal synonym for "gruelling" emphasizing resilience.

demanding spell

Replaces "time" with "spell" and "gruelling" with "demanding" indicating a specific period requiring significant effort.

testing phase

Implies a period where one's endurance and resilience are put to the test.

difficult phase

Substitutes "gruelling" with a more general term for hardship, and "time" with "phase".

taxing interval

Substitutes "gruelling" with "taxing" emphasizing the depletion of resources during the period.

trying circumstances

Shifts focus from time to the conditions causing the difficulty.

severe ordeal

Highlights the harsh and testing nature of the experience.

FAQs

What does "gruelling time" mean?

A "gruelling time" refers to a period characterized by extreme hardship, difficulty, and exhaustion, often requiring significant effort and resilience.

How can I use "gruelling time" in a sentence?

You can use "gruelling time" to describe any period marked by intense challenges. For example, "The internship was a "demanding spell", but I learned a lot."

What can I say instead of "gruelling time"?

You can use alternatives such as "arduous period", "difficult phase", or ""challenging time"" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "grueling time" grammatically correct?

Yes, "gruelling time" is grammatically correct and commonly used. The adjective "gruelling" correctly modifies the noun "time".