i find it challenging to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I find it challenging to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when discussing something difficult or complex that you are attempting to do. For example, "I find it challenging to manage my time effectively between work and family obligations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

As the parent of an 11-month-old, I find it challenging to keep her occupied in areas where I am not surrounded by her toys.

TechCrunch

He told BBC Earth that, when coming face-to-face with beetles, "You can never predict exactly what is going to happen next, I find it challenging to try to capture their natural poses and their everyday life".

BBC

As someone with over 13 years of sobriety myself who can boldly address live audiences, either in person or on air, I find it challenging to walk across any room, let alone before or after a 12-step meeting, and say hello to one person.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I found it challenging to get shows that I wanted because it was a bit of a boys' club.

The Guardian - Music

I found it challenging to anticipate what topics would trigger animated conversation and which would fall flat.

Huffington Post

Before I came to Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP I found it challenging to stay at an organization for more than three years - I got bored if I was not stretched in my role.

Huffington Post

"I would find it challenging to be president," he said.

The New York Times

Re "Mad Cow Disease Panicking Europe as Incidents Rise; Beef Sales Are Plunging" (front page, Dec. 1): As an ethical vegan, I sometimes find it challenging to convey to my meat-eating family and friends the suffering that animals raised for food experience.

The New York Times

The restaurant inside the new Marlton Hotel, on West Eighth Street, was inspired in part by "Tender Is the Night," but even Dick Diver might find it challenging to get a drink here.

The New Yorker

By Amelia Lester The restaurant inside the new Marlton Hotel, on West Eighth Street, was inspired in part by "Tender Is the Night," but even Dick Diver might find it challenging to get a drink here.

The New Yorker

I don't have anyone to send there to investigate, and find it challenging to get out there myself.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow "I find it challenging to" with a specific and actionable description of the difficulty, such as "I find it challenging to stay focused during long meetings".

Common error

Avoid using "I find it challenging to" excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your language to maintain reader engagement. Instead, consider phrases like "it poses a challenge for me to" or "I struggle with" to introduce some variations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I find it challenging to" functions as a statement expressing the speaker's perception of difficulty or complexity regarding a particular task, situation, or concept. It indicates a personal experience of struggling with something, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I find it challenging to" is a grammatically correct and versatile expression used to convey a personal sense of difficulty or struggle. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and applicability across various contexts. While frequently used in news and media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for both professional and informal settings. To enhance your writing, remember to specify the source of the challenge and avoid overuse. Alternatives such as it's difficult for me to and "I struggle with" can provide welcome variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I'm finding it hard to

This is a close synonym, simply swapping "challenging" with "hard".

It's difficult for me to

This alternative shifts the focus to the difficulty itself rather than the speaker's experience.

I have difficulty with

This alternative is slightly more formal and emphasizes the presence of a problem.

It poses a challenge for me to

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the nature of the task as a challenge.

I'm struggling to

This alternative uses a more active verb to convey the sense of difficulty.

I struggle with

This alternative is more concise and directly states the difficulty.

I'm having trouble with

This alternative is more informal and suggests a temporary issue.

I'm having a hard time

This alternative is more colloquial and emphasizes the unpleasantness of the difficulty.

I'm not very good at

This alternative focuses on a lack of skill or aptitude.

I'm not comfortable with

This alternative implies a lack of confidence or ease.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "I find it challenging to" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "it's difficult for me to" or ""it poses a challenge for me to"". These options are suitable for professional or academic writing.

What are some less formal alternatives to "I find it challenging to"?

If you're aiming for a more casual tone, you could say "I'm having trouble with" or "I'm struggling to". These phrases are appropriate for conversations with friends or informal writing.

Is there a difference between "I find it challenging to" and "I found it challenging to"?

Yes, "I find it challenging to" implies a present or ongoing difficulty, while "I found it challenging to" refers to a past experience. Choose the tense that accurately reflects the timing of the challenge.

What can I say instead of "I find it challenging to" when I want to emphasize a lack of skill?

If you want to highlight a lack of skill, consider using phrases like "I'm not very good at" or "I lack the expertise to". These options directly address your skill level.