taxing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "taxing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is physically or mentally demanding or burdensome. Example: "The long hours of studying for the exam were quite taxing on her energy levels."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And sometimes we made it sound like we saw taxing people as a good in itself, rather than a means to an end.

The Guardian - Opinion

The taxing of disability benefits could save up to £1.5bn a year, according to officials, reducing the income of those whose incomes exceed a tax threshold.

The Guardian

Instead of taxing an investor class to create subsidized college education for all, Rubio wants to combat rising college costs by allowing teenagers to "apply for a 'Student Investment Plan' from a private investment group.

The Guardian - Opinion

The ascent is taxing, rising sharply through beech forest to the sudden treeline and bare grassy peaks above.

The Guardian - Books

He said there were considerable political challenges to overcome "such as considering changes to the proportion of tax collected by different levels of government in Australia, and any consequences for the imbalance between state government spending and taxing, as well as for transfers between the states".

The Guardian

Every doctor enjoys a complex, taxing case that tests your knowledge and keeps you on your toes.

The Guardian

It estimates councils will have lost £1bn over the three years to April 2015/16 when they dumped the whole of the 10% cut in central government funding of council tax benefit on benefit claimants by taxing their poverty incomes in work and unemployment.

The Guardian

We know that the vast majority of motorists continue to tax their vehicles on time with over 23 million drivers taxing their vehicles since 1 October 2014.

The Guardian - Money

North's mettle will undergo a more taxing examination on Saturday night when they host Port Adelaide, with Dal Santo almost certain to be sidelined after tweaking his hamstring in the third quarter against Brisbane.

The Guardian - Sport

Why are you taxing people who are prudent?" He's waving his finger at me as if I'm the tax collector.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

There are lots of things it could do to improve the ability of and incentives for American companies and workers to innovate and grow, whether it's taxing fossil fuels, giving more green cards to foreign scientists and engineers or simplifying the tax code.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "taxing" to describe an experience, consider the specific nuance you want to convey: is it physically draining, mentally challenging, or financially burdensome? Choose synonyms accordingly for greater precision.

Common error

While "taxing" is a valid word, overuse in casual conversation can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "tough", "hard", or "difficult" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "taxing" is typically as an adjective, modifying a noun to describe something that is burdensome or demanding. Ludwig examples show it qualifying nouns like "problem", "ascent", and "examination". As Ludwig AI notes, the word is perfectly usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

27%

Science

13%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "taxing" functions primarily as an adjective to describe something demanding or burdensome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It commonly appears in news and formal contexts, conveying the strain or difficulty associated with a situation. While versatile, it's best to reserve "taxing" for situations where a significant level of effort or strain is involved, and consider alternatives like "demanding" or "burdensome" depending on the nuance you aim to express. Overusing it in informal settings can make your language sound unnatural.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

burdensome

Focuses on the heavy load or responsibility implied.

demanding

Emphasizes the high requirements and effort needed.

onerous

Highlights the oppressiveness or unfairness of the burden.

exacting

Stresses the need for precision and accuracy, making it difficult.

strenuous

Focuses on the physical or mental effort required.

challenging

Indicates difficulty that tests one's abilities.

arduous

Highlights the laboriousness and difficulty over a long period.

difficult

A general term for something not easy to do or understand.

stiff

Implies that something is challenging to face and needs more efforts.

trying

Emphasizes the frustrating or irritating aspect of a difficult situation.

FAQs

How can I use "taxing" in a sentence?

You can use "taxing" to describe something that requires a lot of effort or causes strain. For instance, "The project was incredibly taxing on our resources."

What are some synonyms for "taxing"?

Alternatives to "taxing" include "burdensome", "demanding", or "challenging", depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "taxing" to describe a person?

While less common, "taxing" can describe a person if they are causing strain or difficulty, but it's usually applied to situations or tasks. For instance, "He's a taxing individual to work with."

What's the difference between "taxing" and "difficult"?

"Difficult" is a general term for something not easy. "Taxing" implies a greater level of strain and depletion of resources or energy, making it a more intense form of "difficult".