this seems challenging

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this seems challenging" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something appears to be difficult or requires effort. Example: "Looking at the project requirements, this seems challenging, but I'm ready to tackle it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

So do not be discouraged if this seems challenging -- it is!

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The investigation of this model seems challenging.

Advances in Difference Equations

Just praying for your enemy in this case seems challenging enough for us all.

Huffington Post

This task seems challenging considering the large temperature variation in temperate climates or the sub-zero temperatures prevailing in polar waters.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The Markov structure of Brownian motion is essential for most of the methods used and therefore studying this problem in non-Markovian models seems challenging in this paper.

Advances in Difference Equations

Thus intervention research seems challenging in general, whether in clinical medicine or in occupational health.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Demonstrating the co-existence of "positive-going" and "negative-going" responses to repetitions seems challenging at first sight.

Cerebral Cortex

However, the translation of these programmes into primary care seems challenging and the prevalence of T2DM is increasing.

BMC Family Practice

Google seems challenged to wrangle the carriers and Microsoft may be dividing its partners with the home-grown Surface.

TechCrunch

This pose might seem challenging at first, but with practice, you'll find it easy enough to do it regularly.

WikiHow

Open-minded buyers can find a good match, Mr. Bolls said, even when the aesthetics seem challenging.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this seems challenging", ensure that the context clearly identifies what "this" refers to. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "this seems challenging" when the task is merely inconvenient or requires minor effort. Reserve it for situations that genuinely present significant difficulties.

Linguistic Context

"This seems challenging" functions as an assessment or evaluation. It indicates the speaker's perception of a situation or task as difficult, requiring effort and skill. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a usable phrase, indicating its acceptance in English writing. The examples show its application in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this seems challenging" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express that something appears difficult or demanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely acceptable in English. It's commonly found in news, scientific, and business contexts. When using this phrase, make sure "this" is well defined. Be mindful of not overstating the difficulty. Alternative ways of expressing the same thing are "this appears difficult" or "this looks tough".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this appears difficult

Replaces "seems challenging" with a more direct expression of difficulty.

this looks tough

Uses a more informal term ("tough") to convey the sense of difficulty.

this presents a challenge

Shifts the focus to the challenge itself, rather than the perception of it.

this is proving difficult

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the difficulty.

this might be difficult

Expresses a possibility of difficulty, rather than a certainty.

this appears to be complex

Focuses on the complexity of the subject matter.

this is no easy task

Highlights that an easy solution or quick win is not going to happen.

this could be problematic

Highlights that obstacles will be faced.

this is demanding

Highlights that a lot of resources will be necessary to get the job done.

this is a tall order

Uses an idiomatic expression to emphasize the difficulty of achieving something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "this seems challenging" to sound more optimistic?

Instead of focusing on the difficulty, try alternatives like "this presents an opportunity" or "this is an interesting challenge" to frame the situation in a more positive light.

What does it mean when someone says "this seems challenging"?

It typically indicates that the speaker perceives the task or situation as difficult and requiring considerable effort or skill to overcome. They may anticipate obstacles or complexities.

Is "this seems challenging" a formal or informal expression?

"This seems challenging" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, the specific situation and audience should be considered to ensure appropriateness.

What are some synonyms for the word "challenging"?

Synonyms for "challenging" include "difficult", "demanding", "arduous", "complex", and "testing". You can use these to replace "challenging" in the phrase "this seems challenging" for varied expressions.