rather taxing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather taxing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is demanding or burdensome, often in terms of effort or energy required. Example: "The project turned out to be rather taxing, requiring long hours and intense focus from the entire team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Rather, taxing it could help plug a nasty hole that may soon appear in the government's finances.Ever since Junichiro Koizumi pledged, in April, to put a cap on government-bond issues for the year ending next March, he has been under huge pressure to spend more freely.

The Economist

This was rather taxing for Dave, as saying anything nice about the EU alienates even those Tories who are committed to staying, so he hummed and hahed.

The Guardian

Watch the new promo below, which highlights Stephanopoulos' rather taxing schedule.

Huffington Post

That makes it rather taxing to reconstruct words from visemes alone.

The Economist

A good friend of mine devised a rather taxing standard for love and friendship - and a grim one too - "who would you want to become a refugee with?" If your neighborhood were hit by Hurricane Katrina, or Cyclone Nargis, who would have your back?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

In fact, Clegg said on Monday that he would rather tax assets than income.

The Guardian

Rather, taxes will be due after the stock is sold.

The New York Times

Rather, taxes were deferred, to be paid later when income was drawn from the accounts, they said.

The New York Times

Rather, tax receipts have continued to grow disappointingly weakly and were up just 1.1% year on year in May.

The Guardian - Business

Rather, tax or labour claims, low-ranking or unsecured claims in many other countries, take precedence over DIP loans.Extending fresh funds to bankrupt borrowers poses another problem for Japan's big banks, which are already burdened with bad debts.

The Economist

Syracuse's long-term problems have become even more acute in the past decade, and the city relies heavily on support from the state (or rather, tax money from Manhattan's bankers).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to determine if a stronger or weaker alternative would be more appropriate. Phrases like "extremely demanding" or "slightly challenging" may be better suited depending on the intensity you wish to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "rather taxing" in overly casual conversations. While grammatically correct, it can sound slightly formal or affected in very informal settings. Simpler terms like "a bit tiring" or "kind of hard" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather taxing" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe its quality or characteristic. It serves to qualify the degree to which something is demanding or burdensome. Ludwig's examples showcase this usage in describing schedules, standards, and tasks.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather taxing" is an adjective phrase used to describe something as demanding or burdensome, but not overwhelmingly so. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While generally acceptable, its usage is more common in neutral and slightly formal contexts, such as in news and media, and less so in casual conversation. It suggests a manageable challenge, falling between "slightly challenging" and "extremely difficult". When writing, be mindful of the context and choose a synonym if a more casual or stronger term is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite demanding

Expresses a similar level of difficulty or burden, focusing on the demanding aspect.

somewhat exhausting

Highlights the draining or tiring aspect of the activity.

slightly burdensome

Emphasizes the weight or imposition caused by something.

a bit strenuous

Focuses on the effort and energy required.

moderately difficult

Indicates a medium level of complexity or challenge.

fairly challenging

Highlights the challenging nature of the task or situation.

relatively onerous

Implies a sense of obligation and heaviness.

somewhat laborious

Stresses the effort and time required.

kind of grueling

Suggests an experience that is extremely tiring and demanding.

pretty trying

Emphasizes the frustrating or testing nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "rather taxing" in a sentence?

You can use "rather taxing" to describe activities or situations that demand considerable effort or resources, such as "The project turned out to be "rather taxing", requiring long hours and intense focus".

What are some alternatives to "rather taxing"?

Alternatives include "quite demanding", "somewhat exhausting", or "moderately difficult", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "rather taxing" formal or informal?

While generally acceptable in various contexts, "rather taxing" leans towards the formal side. In very casual settings, consider using simpler alternatives for better resonance.

What is the difference between "rather taxing" and "extremely difficult"?

"Rather taxing" suggests a challenge that requires effort but is manageable, whereas "extremely difficult" implies a much greater level of complexity or near impossibility. The choice depends on the actual degree of difficulty.