is more challenging

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is more challenging" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used when comparing two things or ideas, with the first being more difficult than the second. Example: Learning a new language is more challenging than improving fluency in a language you already know.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The manners matter here — is more challenging.

The New York Times

Calculating the delegate totals is more challenging.

The New York Times

Starch digestibility is more challenging.

Cornell University

Expanding the collection itself is more challenging.

The Guardian - Arts

It was much more typical — that is, more challenging.

The New York Times - Food

Generally, the choreography for the men is more challenging.

The New York Times

The UK is stonking but international is more challenging.

Independent

Maintaining pleasure after a great vacation is more challenging.

The New York Times - Travel

Decoding the genome of an individual cell is more challenging.

MIT Technology Review

Deterring tampering and abuse of intact tablets is more challenging.

Mayo Clinic Proceedings

"The implementation of it is more challenging.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use specific examples to illustrate why something "is more challenging". Vague statements can weaken your claim; concrete evidence makes your point more persuasive.

Common error

Instead of simply stating something "is more challenging", elaborate on the specific aspects that make it so. Explain the added complexities, difficulties, or required skills to give your statement more weight and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is more challenging" serves as a comparative adjective phrase, functioning to express a higher degree of difficulty or complexity between two or more subjects. Ludwig shows how it is commonly used to highlight the relative difficulty of different tasks, situations, or concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

40%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is more challenging" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, used to express a higher degree of difficulty or complexity between two subjects. Grammatically sound and very common, as verified by Ludwig AI, this expression finds frequent application across diverse fields, including Science, News & Media, and Academia. This phrase can be effectively replaced by alternatives like "presents greater difficulty" or "is proving to be harder" depending on the desired nuance. A key writing tip is to avoid overuse without justification, ensuring clarity by elaborating on the specific factors contributing to the increased difficulty. By providing context and specific examples, writers can enhance the effectiveness and persuasiveness of their claims.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

presents greater difficulty

Focuses on the difficulty aspect using different wording.

is proving to be harder

Highlights the ongoing nature of the challenge.

poses a greater obstacle

Emphasizes the obstructive nature of the challenge.

is a steeper climb

Uses a metaphorical image to represent increasing difficulty.

involves greater complexity

Shifts the focus to the complexity of the task.

demands more effort

Highlights the effort required to overcome the challenge.

requires more skill

Focuses on the need for increased skill level.

is a tougher proposition

Uses an informal term for a demanding situation.

is a bigger undertaking

Highlights the size and scope of the challenge.

is a trickier situation

Focuses on the delicate or problematic nature of the challenge.

FAQs

How can I use "is more challenging" in a sentence?

Use "is more challenging" to compare two tasks or situations, highlighting the greater difficulty of one over the other. For example: "Advanced calculus "is more challenging" than basic algebra".

What are some alternatives to "is more challenging"?

You can use alternatives like "presents greater difficulty", "is proving to be harder", or "poses a greater obstacle" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "is more challenging" or "is most challenging"?

"Is more challenging" is used for comparing two items, while "is most challenging" is used when comparing three or more. For example: "Of the three options, this one "is most challenging"".

What makes something "more challenging"?

Something might be "more challenging" due to increased complexity, a greater need for skill or effort, or the presence of more obstacles compared to something else.