Meaning & use
trying times
Last updated
UK/ˈtraɪɪŋ taɪmz/
US/ˈtraɪɪŋ taɪmz/
Meaning
phraseplural
A period of serious difficulty, hardship, or emotional strain.
Grammar: Always used in the plural; takes a plural verb: 'Trying times are ahead.'
Patterns
- in trying times
- during trying times
- trying times for someone
- these are trying times
Many families found it hard to cope during the trying times after the factory closed.
The community supported each other in trying times.
These are trying times for small businesses.
Common combinations
- in trying times
- In trying times, we must stick together.
- during trying times
- She remained calm during trying times.
- trying times for
- It was a trying time for everyone involved.
- face trying times
- The company faced trying times last year.
Synonyms and how they differ
- hard times
- Similar, but often focuses on financial or practical difficulty rather than emotional strain.
- difficult period
- A more neutral phrase; 'trying times' suggests emotional weariness.
Opposites
good timeseasy times
Practice
The phrase 'trying times' is always used in the plural. Which sentence is correct?
Choose one answer.
'Trying times' is a fixed plural phrase, so it needs no article and takes a plural verb. 'A trying time' is possible but means a single specific occasion, not the general period.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “trying times”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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