gruelling week

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gruelling week" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to describe a week that was physically or mentally exhausting and demanding. Here is an example sentence: "After a gruelling week of studying for exams and working part-time, I was finally able to relax and unwind on the weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mauricio Pochettino was happy with the win after a gruelling week, less so with the injury to a player who is so vital to the rhythms of his team.

The Guardian - Sport

It was a gruelling week for me, what with popping up in front of the TV cameras every five minutes saying, "Who's going to jail?," plus trying to rid our land of Obamacare.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It was as if Wales were back in Switzerland and Qatar, where they had spent gruelling weeks in the summer, pushed to the limits of their endurance and beyond.

The Guardian - Sport

She appeared on series three of The Apprentice, being booted off after 10 gruelling weeks.

The Guardian - Money

Rats! ★ Virgo 23 Aug-22 Sep It's been three gruelling weeks with your lucky star, Mercury, in retrograde, spelling uncertainty, immobility and trickery.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Bear" contented himself with the usual platitudes – "preparation, preparation, preparation" and a phrase I'm sure he quoted very recently on Mission Survive, Churchill's "when you're going through hell, keep going" – but in the main kept shtoom, again allowing the contestants to film themselves over six gruelling weeks.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

When she landed the highest-profile role of her career as emo hacker Lisbeth Salander in David Fincher's 2011 adaptation of the Stieg Larsson bestseller – after 10 gruelling weeks of auditions and screen tests – formerly fresh-faced Mara fully committed to the character's look.

The Guardian

Based solely on surface impressions, you could do far worse in a pocket computer for those gruelling weeks on the road if you're a frequent business traveler.

TechCrunch

This is also where Oasis500 applicants do "bootcamp", a gruelling one-week course in business.

The Economist

Quintana completed the gruelling three-week race that covered 3,315.5km in 83hr 31min 283hr.

The Guardian - Sport

Woo was on her way home after having joined a gruelling two-week aid expedition when she was killed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gruelling week", consider specifying the activities or circumstances that made the week particularly challenging. This adds context and depth to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "gruelling" too frequently in your writing. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "demanding", "taxing", or "arduous" to prevent the text from becoming repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gruelling week" functions as an adjective-noun phrase, where "gruelling" modifies the noun "week". It describes the quality of the week, emphasizing its demanding and exhausting nature. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gruelling week" is a grammatically correct and relatively common phrase used to describe a week characterized by intense effort and difficulty. According to Ludwig, it effectively conveys the demanding nature of the time period. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to highlight challenges and elicit understanding. Remember to be mindful of potential overuse and consider synonyms like "demanding" or "challenging" for variety. Always consider the specific context to enrich the phrase and use a suitable spelling depending on your audience: British or American English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demanding week

Focuses on the high level of requirements and expectations during the week.

taxing week

Emphasizes the draining effect the week had on one's energy or resources.

difficult week

A more general term indicating problems and challenges encountered during the week.

tough week

Similar to "difficult week" but with a slightly stronger emphasis on resilience needed.

challenging week

Highlights the presence of obstacles and the need for effort to overcome them.

hectic week

Emphasizes the busyness and lack of rest during the week.

stressful week

Focuses on the mental and emotional strain experienced during the week.

arduous week

Highlights the laboriousness and effort required throughout the week.

laborious week

Similar to "arduous week", focusing on the physical or mental effort required.

tiresome week

Emphasizes the feeling of weariness and fatigue resulting from the week's activities.

FAQs

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

You can use "gruelling week" to describe a period filled with intense effort and difficulty. For example, "After a "gruelling week" of rehearsals, the cast was ready for opening night".

What are some alternatives to "gruelling week"?

Alternatives include "demanding week", "challenging week", or "taxing week". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "grueling week" or "gruelling week"?

"Gruelling week" is the correct spelling in British English. "Grueling week" is the American English spelling. Both are grammatically correct, but choose the spelling that matches your audience.

What makes a week "gruelling" as opposed to simply "busy"?

A "gruelling week" implies not just busyness, but also intense physical or mental effort, often accompanied by stress or exhaustion. It suggests a period that was particularly demanding and difficult to endure.