just arduous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just arduous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is simply difficult or challenging without any additional qualifiers. Example: "The task was just arduous, requiring hours of concentration and effort to complete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Significant restructuring — shutting plants, eliminating brands, shaking up corporate hierarchies — seemed not just arduous but unnecessary.

The New Yorker

"It's just arduous enough that it forces you to think in advance about what you're trying to do — about the big picture, and about how one shot is going to lead to the next," he said.

The New York Times

It's possible to converse across worlds at these events — real people can shout into a Web cam broadcasting into Second Life, and avatars can type responses that can be viewed on a screen at the real-life party, and vice versa — though it's just arduous enough that people seem mostly to stick to their own side of reality.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Still, the slippage proved just how arduous a task running a marathon can be.

The New York Times - Arts

For those seeking to visit, the journey is just as arduous.

The New York Times

But the mayor's supporters know just how arduous, if not nearly impossible, it will be to change the law.

The New York Times

Rightly, Olson avoids the temptation of Whiggish inevitability and charts just how arduous and uncertain the process was.

The Guardian - Books

Still, the book shows just how arduous the climate fight has been — and will likely continue to be — for years, if not generations, to come.

The New York Times

Preservation Detectives: 'Coming to America' (Monday) On Columbus Day, the Museum at Eldridge Street, the 1887 landmark synagogue, will celebrate how many others, besides Christopher Columbus, came to discover America after just as arduous an ocean voyage.

The New York Times - Arts

The handwritten manuscript is page after page of scratched out notes, smudges, comments and ink blots that reveal just how arduous the French novelist Gustave Flaubert found the writing process.

The Guardian - Books

Another element that became clear from his rummage through hundreds of company remuneration reports (which tend themselves to be buried deep inside annual reports) was just how "arduous" the task was – and what that meant for investors.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "just arduous", consider whether a more specific adjective might better capture the nuance of the difficulty. While "arduous" implies significant effort, a word like "challenging", "taxing", or "demanding" may be more precise.

Common error

Avoid using "just arduous" when the task is exceptionally difficult or complex. The word "just" can minimize the impact of "arduous", making it sound less severe than intended. In those cases, stronger adjectives or descriptive phrases are better suited.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just arduous" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It typically describes a task, journey, or process, indicating that it is difficult or strenuous, but not overwhelmingly so. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "just arduous" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something that is moderately difficult or strenuous. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is considered appropriate in written English. While not a very common phrase, it appears primarily in news and media contexts. When using "just arduous", consider whether a more specific adjective would better capture the intended nuance, and be mindful not to understate the difficulty of particularly challenging tasks. Alternatives like "merely difficult" or "simply challenging" can be used to express a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

merely difficult

Replaces "arduous" with a more common synonym for difficulty and uses "merely" instead of "just".

simply challenging

Emphasizes the challenging nature of the task, using "simply" to indicate the extent of the challenge.

plainly strenuous

Highlights the physically or mentally demanding aspect, swapping "just" with "plainly".

only demanding

Focuses on the demanding nature of the task, indicating that this is the primary characteristic.

barely manageable

Suggests that the task is difficult but still within the realm of possibility.

somewhat taxing

Indicates a moderate level of difficulty, implying that it requires some effort.

moderately laborious

Emphasizes the effort and time required, using "laborious" as a synonym for arduous.

fairly onerous

Highlights the burdensome nature of the task, suggesting it is not particularly enjoyable.

quite tiresome

Focuses on the fatiguing effect of the task, emphasizing its ability to cause weariness.

slightly grueling

Indicates that the task is tough and exhausting, albeit to a moderate degree.

FAQs

How can I use "just arduous" in a sentence?

You can use "just arduous" to describe a task or journey that is difficult but not overwhelmingly so. For example, "The hike was "just arduous", requiring considerable effort but still manageable."

What are some alternatives to saying "just arduous"?

Alternatives include "merely difficult", "simply challenging", or "plainly strenuous". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "just arduous" or "very arduous"?

"Just arduous" implies a moderate level of difficulty, while "very arduous" indicates a much higher level of difficulty. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the intensity of the task or experience.

What's the difference between "arduous" and "challenging"?

"Arduous" emphasizes the effort and exertion required, while "challenging" focuses on the mental or strategic demands. Something that is "arduous" requires a lot of work or energy, whereas something "challenging" requires thought and skill.