it was strenuous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was strenuous" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an activity or task that required a lot of effort or physical exertion. Example: "After hiking for hours, I realized it was strenuous, but the view at the top was worth it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It was strenuous work.

The Guardian

It was strenuous work, but it was also part of a real family adventure.

Independent

It was strenuous just to walk the 300 yards each way to and from the truck several times, he said.

The New York Times

We were on an airplane every day, traveling, getting back late at night, and it was strenuous.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It's strenuous viewing.

The New Yorker

"It is strenuous work," he wrote.

The Guardian - Music

If you want to ski at a fast pace, it's strenuous".

The New York Times - Sports

Both can and should be climbed, although it is strenuous and not for those who are afraid of heights.

The New York Times - Travel

"Doing it is strenuous," he acknowledged, "but on my subway ride home I feel like a young man".

The New York Times

It is strenuous activity, and even if it is essentially mundane, Bellows paints it as heroic: the horses and street cleaners seem dramatically ready for battle.

The New York Times

It's strenuous, involving work with crampons, ropes and harnesses, and overnights at remote base camps, but you see the all main areas and attractions of El Chaltén.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical activities, use "it was strenuous" to clearly communicate the effort required. For example: "The hike up the mountain was strenuous, but the view was worth it."

Common error

Avoid using "it was strenuous" in contexts where the difficulty is already implied. For instance, saying "The torture was strenuous" is redundant, as torture inherently involves extreme effort and pain.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was strenuous" functions as a descriptive statement, attributing the quality of requiring significant effort to a previously mentioned activity or situation. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and understandable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

13%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was strenuous" is a grammatically sound and understandable expression used to describe activities that require significant effort. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage in news and media, although its overall frequency is relatively rare. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the exertion involved and avoid redundancy in contexts where difficulty is already implied. Consider alternatives like "it was demanding" or "it was taxing" for nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was demanding

Replaces "strenuous" with "demanding", emphasizing the high requirements of the task.

it was taxing

Substitutes "strenuous" with "taxing", highlighting the depleting effect of the activity.

it was exhausting

Replaces "strenuous" with "exhausting", focusing on the resulting fatigue.

it was rigorous

Changes "strenuous" to "rigorous", emphasizing the strictness and thoroughness of the activity.

it was arduous

Replaces "strenuous" with "arduous", indicating a laborious and difficult effort.

it was laborious

Substitutes "strenuous" with "laborious", emphasizing the amount of work involved.

it was difficult

Replaces "strenuous" with a more general term, "difficult", to indicate a challenge.

it was challenging

Substitutes "strenuous" with "challenging", highlighting the stimulating but difficult nature of the activity.

it was tough

Replaces "strenuous" with "tough", a more informal way to describe the difficulty.

it was heavy going

This idiom replaces "strenuous" and suggests slow and difficult progress.

FAQs

What does "it was strenuous" mean?

The phrase "it was strenuous" describes something that required a lot of effort, energy, or exertion. It suggests the activity was physically or mentally demanding.

How can I use "it was strenuous" in a sentence?

You can use "it was strenuous" to describe any activity that requires significant effort. For example, "The training for the marathon "it was strenuous", but I felt prepared on race day."

What are some alternatives to saying "it was strenuous"?

Alternatives include "it was demanding", "it was taxing", or "it was exhausting", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "it was strenuous" or "it was stressful"?

The choice depends on the context. "It was strenuous" refers to effort or exertion, while "it was stressful" refers to mental or emotional strain. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the experience.