trying exceptionally hard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trying exceptionally hard" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone making a significant effort to achieve something or overcome a challenge. Example: "Despite the difficulties, she is trying exceptionally hard to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Last night, his brow was perpetually furrowed and he seemed to squint into the camera (blinding lights or an effort to read the Teleprompter seemed like plausible reasons), which made him look as if he were trying exceptionally hard to be taken seriously.

The New York Times

"The players are trying exceptionally hard.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It's no secret that we have tried exceptionally hard over the last decade to avoid this outcome," he wrote in an emotional message to employees.

The New York Times

"Anyone who knows Rangers knows that we have tried exceptionally hard to try and eradicate the sectarian singing aspect of the support.

BBC

Rewriting notes taken in class is helpful if taking exceptionally hard classes.

WikiHow

"We realise that for some people it may cause some inconvenience to their routine but we have worked exceptionally hard to try and minimise that disruption".

BBC

"It's an exceptionally hard test," Harrington said.

The New York Times - Sports

The collective porn-fantasies of millennials' as one giant, monolithic group are exceptionally hard to pin down, but some have tried.

Vice

"It's exceptionally hard to make life changes," Mr. Deutschman said, "and our efforts are usually doomed to failure when we try to do it on our own".

The New York Times

"He's training exceptionally hard," Draper says.

The Guardian - Sport

That is exceptionally hard to arrange.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trying exceptionally hard" to convey a sense of significant effort and dedication, especially when the task is challenging or the outcome is uncertain. For instance, "Despite the setbacks, the team is "trying exceptionally hard" to meet the deadline".

Common error

Avoid stacking intensifiers like "really, exceptionally hard" as it can sound redundant. Choose the single strongest word to convey the desired level of effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trying exceptionally hard" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating an action performed with significant effort. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. It modifies a verb, adding emphasis to the effort being exerted.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "trying exceptionally hard" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey significant effort and dedication. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It functions primarily to emphasize the intensity behind an action. While suitable for neutral contexts, it is most prevalent in news, media, and general online content. When using the phrase, it's important to avoid redundant intensifiers and to choose it when you specifically want to highlight the extraordinary effort being made. Alternatives include "making a supreme effort" or "giving it one's absolute all", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

giving it one's absolute all

Emphasizes complete dedication and commitment.

applying oneself with utmost diligence

Emphasizes focused, careful, and persistent effort.

making a supreme effort

Stresses the exceptional and significant nature of the attempt.

putting forth extraordinary effort

Highlights the unusual and remarkable level of dedication.

exerting maximum effort

Highlights the physical and mental energy being expended.

pushing oneself to the limit

Focuses on exceeding personal boundaries in the pursuit of a goal.

striving with all one's might

Emphasizes maximum effort and determination, adding a more dramatic tone.

bending over backwards

Implies going above and beyond what is normally expected.

going to great lengths

Focuses on the extent and extremity of the actions taken.

working one's fingers to the bone

Suggests exhaustive and possibly painful effort.

FAQs

How can I use "trying exceptionally hard" in a sentence?

You can use "trying exceptionally hard" to emphasize the amount of effort someone is putting into a task. For example, "The students are "trying exceptionally hard" to prepare for their final exams."

What are some alternatives to "trying exceptionally hard"?

You can use alternatives like "making a supreme effort", "giving it one's absolute all", or "striving with all one's might" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "trying really exceptionally hard"?

Yes, using multiple intensifiers like "really" and "exceptionally" can be redundant and weaken your writing. It's better to choose the single most impactful word, such as just "trying exceptionally hard".

What's the difference between "trying hard" and "trying exceptionally hard"?

"Trying hard" indicates a general level of effort, while "trying exceptionally hard" suggests a much greater degree of dedication and intensity. The latter is used when the effort is particularly noteworthy.