increasingly trying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "increasingly trying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or effort that is becoming more difficult or challenging over time. Example: "The project has been increasingly trying, as we face new obstacles every week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

This will have to be accomplished under increasingly trying circumstances.

The New Yorker

Republicans are increasingly trying to reach these new constituencies.

The Guardian - Opinion

Doctors call it "hospital delirium," and are increasingly trying to prevent or treat it.

The New York Times - Science

Publishers are increasingly trying to push books through online social networks.

The Economist

Now airlines are increasingly trying to fit fully flat beds for business class.

The New York Times

But the government is increasingly trying to punish individuals for the actions of their firms.

The Economist

In this economy, people are increasingly trying to save money by eating in.

The New York Times

So they are increasingly trying to engage the public with alternatives like simulators, hands-on exhibits and interactive displays.

The New York Times

Reality-television producers are increasingly trying to incorporate the Web into the audition and the elimination phases of their competitions.

The New York Times - Arts

Across the nation, ski resorts are increasingly trying to make up for a dearth of snowfall by manufacturing their own.

The New York Times

NHS Trusts are increasingly trying to treat patients in their own homes, rather than making them travel to hospitals.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "increasingly trying", consider the tone of your writing. While suitable for news and general contexts, more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "progressively challenging".

Common error

Avoid using "increasingly trying" to describe tasks that are simply difficult from the outset. Reserve it for situations where the difficulty escalates over time. For example, instead of "The task was increasingly trying", consider "The task became increasingly trying as we encountered unexpected setbacks".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increasingly trying" functions as an adverbial modifier describing how an action or situation is evolving. It indicates a progressive increase in the degree of difficulty or challenging nature of something, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "increasingly trying" is a versatile phrase used to describe situations that are becoming more difficult over time. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media. When writing, be sure to reserve "increasingly trying" for situations where difficulty escalates. While suitable for neutral contexts, consider more formal alternatives like "progressively challenging" in professional settings. Avoid using it to describe static situations that are simply hard to start with. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "increasingly trying" to convey the escalating challenges in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

progressively challenging

Emphasizes the gradual increase in difficulty.

becoming more difficult

A straightforward alternative focusing on the increase in difficulty.

growing increasingly tough

Highlights the escalating toughness of a situation.

ever more arduous

Uses a more formal tone to express increasing difficulty.

more and more demanding

Focuses on the escalating demands or requirements.

gradually getting harder

Indicates a slow and steady increase in hardship.

steadily becoming more taxing

Highlights the accumulating burden or strain.

rising in difficulty

Emphasizes the ascent in the level of challenge.

escalating in complexity

Focuses on the increasing intricate nature of something.

mounting in severity

Highlights the increase in seriousness or intensity.

FAQs

How can I use "increasingly trying" in a sentence?

You can use "increasingly trying" to describe situations or efforts that are becoming more challenging over time. For example: "The negotiations became "increasingly trying" as the deadline approached."

What are some alternatives to "increasingly trying"?

Some alternatives include "progressively challenging", "becoming more difficult", or "growing increasingly tough". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "increasingly trying" formal or informal?

"Increasingly trying" is suitable for neutral to slightly formal contexts. For more formal writing, consider alternatives such as "ever more arduous" or "more and more demanding".

What's the difference between "increasingly trying" and "difficult"?

"Increasingly trying" implies that something is becoming more difficult over time, whereas "difficult" simply describes something that is hard to do. For example, a long-term project might become "increasingly trying", while a specific task might just be difficult from the beginning.