more challenging than

USAGE SUMMARY

"more challenging than" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare two objects or experiences that are difficult. For example, "Climbing Mount Everest is more challenging than running a marathon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is more challenging than it sounds.

The New York Times

He found accents more challenging than acting.

The New Yorker

It's more challenging than ever".

The Guardian - Music

I find it more challenging than Shakespeare".

The Guardian

This was more challenging than it sounds.

Harvard Business Review

Some transitions are more challenging than others.

Harvard Business Review

No post though has been more challenging than Paris.

The New York Times - Arts

Naturally, the project proved more challenging than it first seemed.

The Guardian - Tech

But the Manhattan market proved more challenging than most.

The New York Times

It's a lot more challenging than most people think.

The New York Times

Writing children's books is more challenging than you might think.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the difficulty of two tasks, ensure the comparison is clear and specific, avoiding ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "This project is more challenging", specify what it's more challenging than.

Common error

Avoid using "more challenging than" without a clear point of reference. Saying something is "more challenging" without specifying what it's more challenging than leaves the comparison incomplete and less effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more challenging than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to express that one thing presents a greater degree of difficulty compared to another. As indicated by Ludwig, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

29%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more challenging than" is a grammatically sound and highly versatile comparative phrase used to indicate a greater degree of difficulty between two subjects. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It is frequently found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. To ensure clarity, it's important to specify what is being compared, avoiding vague or incomplete statements. Alternatives such as "more difficult than" or "more demanding than" can be used to convey similar meanings with slight variations in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more difficult than

A direct synonym, emphasizing the level of hardship.

harder than

A more informal synonym, indicating effort and resistance.

more demanding than

Focuses on the effort or requirements involved.

more complex than

Highlights the intricacy and number of elements involved.

more intricate than

Emphasizes fine details and involved structure.

more rigorous than

Emphasizes strictness and precision required.

tougher than

Suggests resilience and strength are required.

more taxing than

Highlights the depleting effect on resources or energy.

more strenuous than

Focuses on physical or mental exertion.

presents a greater challenge than

Shifts the focus to the act of challenging itself.

FAQs

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

Use "more challenging than" to compare the difficulty of two things. For example, "Solving this puzzle is "more challenging than" I expected".

What is a synonym for "more challenging than"?

Synonyms for "more challenging than" include "more difficult than", "more demanding than", or "tougher than", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify what something is "more challenging than"?

Yes, for clarity, it's best to specify the basis of comparison when using "more challenging than". Otherwise, the statement can be vague and lack impact.

What's the difference between "more challenging than" and "as challenging as"?

"More challenging than" indicates a higher level of difficulty compared to something else, while "as challenging as" implies that two things are equally difficult. They are used to express different relationships in difficulty.