it is certainly challenging

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is certainly challenging" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a task or situation that is difficult or requires significant effort to overcome. Example: "Learning a new language can be daunting; it is certainly challenging, but also rewarding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Obviously, this is not everyone's idea of a good time but it is certainly challenging our notions of fun and friendship.

Vice

While it is certainly challenging instructing up to 60 people with no dance experience, Bolero captures one very distinct facet of the Festival: to invest in the future of dance by growing audiences.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It's certainly challenging.

The New York Times

The sense of hope and opportunity is certainly challenged for children in low-income working families.

Huffington Post

Penile masses are certainly challenging and there is little data on their management.

F1000Research

"It is certainly a challenge," conceded Deborah S. Conrad, the chief marketing officer at Intel.

The New York Times - Tech

But while "working or living with an alpha can be exhilarating," Ms. Ludeman said, it "is certainly a challenge".

The New York Times

"It is certainly a challenge for the president, balancing the exigencies of the day," Peter Jennings intoned on ABC last week.

The New York Times

Well, it is certainly a challenge for those who have to provide news and insights during the long election campaign.

BBC

It is certainly a challenge in that people associate me with the younger version of me, but it is what comes with the territory.

Huffington Post

It is certainly a challenge to decide upon the inclusion and exclusion criteria of such a positive list [ 31].

Genome Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is certainly challenging" to acknowledge difficulty while suggesting the possibility of overcoming it, especially when aiming for a balanced and encouraging tone.

Common error

Avoid using "it is certainly challenging" as a mere placeholder for stronger negative assessments. If the difficulty is overwhelming, be direct rather than softening the impact with "certainly" when it is not appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is certainly challenging" functions as a statement acknowledging the presence of difficulty or obstacles. It is often used to soften potential negativity or to express a balanced perspective, as validated by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is certainly challenging" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to acknowledge difficulty, according to Ludwig AI. While relatively infrequent, with only 3 exact examples found, its primary contexts include News & Media and Science. It functions as a statement recognizing a demanding aspect of a situation, used to maintain a neutral or moderately positive tone. When writing, use it to acknowledge difficulty while still conveying optimism. Consider alternatives like "it is undoubtedly difficult" or "it is definitely tough", especially in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is undoubtedly difficult

Emphasizes the difficulty without necessarily highlighting the element of challenge.

it is definitely tough

Uses a more informal term ("tough") to convey the difficulty.

it presents significant difficulties

Focuses on the difficulties posed rather than the challenging nature.

it is a real struggle

Highlights the effort and exertion required.

it poses considerable obstacles

Emphasizes the obstacles that must be overcome.

it requires substantial effort

Focuses on the amount of effort needed to succeed.

it is by no means easy

Underlines the lack of ease in the undertaking.

it is far from simple

Highlights the complexity and lack of straightforwardness.

it demands resilience

Stresses the need for perseverance and fortitude.

it tests your mettle

Implies that the situation will reveal one's true character and abilities.

FAQs

How can I use "it is certainly challenging" in a sentence?

You can use "it is certainly challenging" to acknowledge that a task or situation is difficult, but also to suggest that it is possible to overcome the challenge. For example, "Learning a new language "it is certainly challenging", but very rewarding."

What are some alternatives to "it is certainly challenging"?

Some alternatives include "it is undoubtedly difficult", "it is definitely tough", or "it presents significant difficulties". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "it is certainly challenging" too formal for everyday conversation?

"It is certainly challenging" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though alternatives like "it is definitely tough" might be preferred in casual speech.

How does "it is certainly challenging" differ from "it is challenging"?

Adding "certainly" emphasizes the degree of the challenge. "It is certainly challenging" conveys a stronger acknowledgment of the difficulty compared to simply saying "it is challenging."