has not been easy

USAGE SUMMARY

'has not been easy' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has been difficult, time consuming, or challenging. Example: Working two jobs to support my family has not been easy, but it's been worth it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It has not been easy.

The New York Times

This has not been easy.

The Economist

The effort has not been easy.

The New Yorker

Historically, this has not been easy.

The New York Times - Sports

The fight has not been easy.

The New Yorker

Starting the business has not been easy.

The New York Times

The transition has not been easy.

The New York Times

But finding one has not been easy.

The Economist

But that has not been easy.

The New York Times - Health

His job has not been easy.

The Economist

Catching up has not been easy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has not been easy", follow up with specific details or examples to illustrate the nature of the difficulty.

Common error

Avoid using "has not been easy" as a standalone statement. Always provide context or elaboration to explain why something has been difficult to maintain clarity and informativeness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has not been easy" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a subject by describing its state or quality. It asserts that a particular task, situation, or process has been challenging or difficult. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has not been easy" is a commonly used expression to describe a situation that has been difficult or challenging. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in various contexts, primarily in news and media, academia, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, it's best to provide specific context to illustrate the nature of the difficulty. Alternatives such as "has been challenging" or "has been difficult" can be used for variety, depending on the desired level of formality. Avoiding overuse and providing clear context are key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been challenging

Replaces "easy" with "challenging", emphasizing the difficulty encountered.

has been difficult

Substitutes "easy" with "difficult", directly stating the lack of ease.

has been a struggle

Focuses on the continuous effort and hardship involved.

has been an uphill battle

Uses a metaphor to describe the effort required, implying continuous struggle.

has been no walk in the park

Employs an idiom to convey that something was not simple or effortless.

has required significant effort

Stresses the substantial amount of effort that was necessary.

has been demanding

Highlights the high requirements and effort needed.

has not been a breeze

Uses a light, informal idiom to indicate the task was not effortless.

has proven arduous

Uses a more formal term, "arduous", to emphasize the strenuous nature of the task.

has tested my limits

Indicates that something pushed one to their maximum capacity.

FAQs

How can I use "has not been easy" in a sentence?

You can use "has not been easy" to describe a challenging situation. For example, "The transition to a new job "has not been easy", but I'm learning a lot".

What are some alternatives to "has not been easy"?

Alternatives include "has been challenging", "has been difficult", or "has been an uphill battle", depending on the specific context.

Is "has not been easy" formal or informal?

"Has not been easy" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, consider alternatives like "has proven arduous" for more formal writing.

What does it mean when someone says "has not been easy"?

It means that a particular task, situation, or process has involved significant effort, challenges, and difficulties. It's a way of acknowledging the hardships faced.