has been a trying year

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been a trying year" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a year that has been difficult or challenging in some way. Example: "Despite the challenges we faced, we have learned and grown from what has been a trying year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

It has been a trying year for the Belgian royals.

Independent

But from Bear Stearns to Citigroup to Madoff to the Philadelphia Phillies, it has been a trying year for the Mets' owner.

The New York Times - Sports

"Most important, I'm proud of the S.E.C. staff for going above and beyond the call of duty in what has been a trying year for the agency.

The New York Times

It has been a trying year in America; certain people have done more than their share to get the rest of us through.

The New Yorker

It has been a trying year for Ivanovic, who won the 2008 French Open and rose to No. 1 but has failed to produce a comparable encore.

The New York Times - Sports

It has been a trying year for Hawkins, 35, who has a 6.12 E.R.A. and has pitched in only six of the last 25 games, dating to a blown save and loss in Baltimore on May 27.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Harding, announcing the last round of 75 cuts in September, warned that "further substantial savings" would need to be found in 2014 and 2015, admitting it had been a "trying year".

The Guardian

It has been a trying four years.

The New York Times - Sports

This has been a trying -- but ultimately rewarding -- year.

Stanford University

It has been a trying season for the 40-year-old Pettitte, who missed a start earlier this year with lower-back problems.

The New York Times - Sports

Problems are inevitable for such a giant landlord, but this has been an especially trying year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been a trying year", ensure the context clearly indicates the source or cause of the difficulties. Providing specific examples of the challenges faced can add depth and credibility to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "has been a trying year" as a vague statement without providing any supporting details. If you don't explain why the year was difficult, the phrase loses its impact and can sound cliché.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been a trying year" functions as a declarative statement. It expresses an assessment or judgment about a specific period, indicating that the year in question was characterized by difficulties or challenges. Ludwig provides examples showing its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been a trying year" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe a year filled with difficulties and challenges. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is commonly found in news and media, and academic contexts. While it's appropriate for formal writing, avoid overuse without specific supporting details. Consider alternatives such as "has been a difficult year" or "has been a challenging year" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Understanding its usage and communicative purpose will enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been a difficult year

Replaces "trying" with a more common synonym, "difficult", maintaining the same meaning.

has been a challenging year

Substitutes "trying" with "challenging", offering a slightly more positive connotation while still conveying hardship.

has been a tough year

Replaces "trying" with "tough", which is more informal but equally effective in expressing difficulty.

this year has been hard

Restructures the sentence while retaining the core meaning of a year filled with hardship.

the past year has been arduous

Uses a more formal word, "arduous", to describe the difficulty of the past year.

the year presented numerous obstacles

Focuses on the presence of obstacles throughout the year, implying difficulty.

the last twelve months were testing

Employs the word "testing" to describe the year's challenging nature.

this year brought its share of difficulties

Indicates that the year included a significant amount of hardship and problems.

the year was fraught with challenges

Emphasizes the presence of numerous challenges that made the year difficult.

the year proved to be demanding

Highlights the demanding nature of the year, implying stress and difficulty.

FAQs

What does "has been a trying year" mean?

The phrase "has been a trying year" means that the past year was difficult and challenging. It implies that there were many problems or stressful situations during that time.

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

You can use alternatives like "has been a difficult year", "has been a challenging year", or "has been a tough year" to express a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "has been a trying year" in formal writing?

Yes, "has been a trying year" is appropriate for formal writing, but consider the audience and context. More formal alternatives like "the past year has been arduous" might be suitable depending on the specific needs of the document.

How to use "has been a trying year" in a sentence?

You can say something like: "Despite the setbacks, this "has been a trying year" for the company, we managed to achieve significant progress." It is generally followed by an explanation of the difficulties encountered.