has been a challenging year

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been a challenging year" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to any particular year that has been particularly difficult or trying. For example: "2020 has been a challenging year for us all, but I'm hopeful that 2021 will bring positive changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

This has been a challenging year for CIESIN.

Columbia University

By many measures, 2017 has been a challenging year.

Yale University

This has been a challenging year, and there will be more difficulties ahead.

Stanford University

"This has been a challenging year," Mr. Jackson said in his remarks.

The New York Times

SAN FRANCISCO — So far this has been a challenging year for companies hoping to go public.

The New York Times

A successful privatization of the company would be a bright spot on what has been a challenging year for Mr. Zhang.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

1981 had been a challenging year for Seve Ballesteros.

The Guardian - Sport

ACC Will Kerr said 2013 had been a challenging year for policing.

BBC

Mr Evison said he was relieved to have continued his winning reputation as it had been a challenging year.

BBC

Andrew Selous, the Conservative prisons minister, said it had been a "challenging year" for prisons staff dealing with "major organisational change".

BBC

In its annual results, John Lewis chairman Sir Charlie Mayfield said 2017 had been a "challenging year", as expected, with "subdued" consumer demand.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "has been a challenging year", be specific about the nature of the challenges. Providing context adds depth and helps the audience understand the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "has been a challenging year" as a standalone statement. Without specific examples, it can sound generic and lack impact. Always follow up with details.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been a challenging year" functions as a declarative statement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, used to express that a particular year was difficult and presented significant obstacles. It’s a common way to summarize the experiences and hardships of a period.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been a challenging year" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a year marked by significant difficulties. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, with examples drawn from reputable sources such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC. While versatile, it's best practice to provide specific context to enhance its impact. Related phrases include "has been a difficult year" and "has been a tough year", offering similar sentiments. Overuse without context is a common pitfall, so providing details about the challenges ensures clarity and resonance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been a difficult year

Replaces "challenging" with a synonym emphasizing the presence of hardship.

has been a tough year

Substitutes "challenging" with a more informal synonym suggesting resilience is needed.

has been a rough year

Uses a more colloquial term to describe a year filled with problems.

has been a trying year

Highlights the testing and stressful nature of the year.

has been a demanding year

Emphasizes the high amount of effort and pressure experienced.

the year has presented significant difficulties

Alters the sentence structure to emphasize difficulties faced.

this year has tested our resilience

Shifts the focus to the impact of the year's difficulties on one's ability to cope.

has been an eventful year

Shifts focus from difficulty to highlight significant occurrences during the year.

the past year presented numerous obstacles

Rephrases the sentiment to focus on the obstacles encountered.

we faced many hurdles this year

Changes the perspective to a more personal account of overcoming obstacles.

FAQs

What does "has been a challenging year" mean?

It means that the past year was difficult and presented many obstacles or problems. It's a common phrase used to express the difficulties experienced during a specific year.

What can I say instead of "has been a challenging year"?

You can use alternatives like "has been a difficult year", "has been a tough year", or "the year has presented significant difficulties" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "has been a challenging year" in formal writing?

Yes, it is acceptable in formal writing, especially when providing context or explanation for the challenges faced. However, consider using more specific language to convey the precise nature of the difficulties.

How can I make the phrase "has been a challenging year" more impactful?

Provide specific examples of the challenges experienced, such as "2020 has been a challenging year due to the global pandemic and economic uncertainty". This adds depth and makes the statement more meaningful.