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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
That appears challenging
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "That appears challenging" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something seems difficult or requires effort to accomplish. Example: "The new project requirements are extensive, and that appears challenging for our team to meet within the deadline."
✓ Grammatically correct
Huffington Post
Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology
EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking
Intensive Care Medicine Experimental
Clinical and Translational Medicine
BMJ Quality and Safety
Emerging Infectious Diseases
BioMed Research International
The Guardian
Independent
The Economist
The New York Times
Harvard Business Review
The New York Times - Tech
WikiHow
Wikipedia
Los Angeles Times
BBC
AAC: Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Science Magazine
Forest Policy and Economics
Dealbook
Human Resources for Health
British Medical Journal
Life Sciences, Society and Policy
CPT: Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology
Opinion
BMC Genomics
Plosone
IZA Journal of Labor Policy
Human Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Harvard University
Encyclopedia Britannica
Cornell University
Alternative expressions(3)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
Instead, my role as I see it is to teach individuals, groups, teams, or organizations about the understanding -- how the mind functions and how we shape our experience based only on the ebbs and flows of our thinking -- and then together (or sometimes without me) we'll find the answer to a specific issue that appears challenging.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
Developing a new antibacterial coating appears challenging.
At the outset, the joint power and bandwidth optimization appears challenging.
Development of such a two-compound drug appears challenging in several aspects.
Forming cross-disciplinary collaborations may at a first glance appear challenging.
But converting laudable aspirations for high-quality, safe and compassionate care into clear goals appeared challenging.
Science
In addition, the economic aspects of such a testing endeavor would appear challenging.
Science
Based on this review defining chair-based exercise as an intervention for frail older people would appear challenging.
A paper in the New England Journal of Medicine, however, recounts the case of a 38-year-old man in Utah that appears to challenge the assumption.
News & Media
The same think-tank produced a report in 2015 that appears to challenge Mr Hunt's claims about the NHS being given enough funding to work with.
News & Media
To illustrate a "big idea" that appears to challenge conventional thinking, he deploys a series of well-told anecdotes that combine seamlessly with popularised accounts of relevant academic research and case studies.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "That appears challenging" to introduce a potential difficulty, encouraging proactive planning and resource allocation.
Common error
While acceptable, excessive use of "that appears challenging" in formal writing can make your prose sound repetitive. Vary your phrasing with synonyms like "difficult", "complex", or "demanding" to maintain reader engagement.
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "That appears challenging" functions as an observation or assessment regarding the perceived difficulty of a situation, task, or objective. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's usable in written English, expressing that something seems difficult or requires effort to accomplish. This makes it an evaluative statement.
Frequent in
News & Media
36%
Science
36%
Wiki
9%
Less common in
Academia
5%
Formal & Business
5%
Encyclopedias
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "That appears challenging" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to indicate that something seems difficult or requires effort. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers the advice to use it to express difficulty, with the possibility to replace it with alternatives like "that looks difficult" or "that seems problematic". While versatile, this phrase is most commonly found in news and scientific contexts and should be used thoughtfully to avoid repetition, especially in formal writing.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
That looks difficult
Uses a more common and general term (difficult) instead of challenging.
That seems problematic
Highlights the potential issues or obstacles presented by the situation.
That presents difficulties
Emphasizes the difficulties arising from the situation.
That appears formidable
Suggests the challenge is intimidating or significant.
That could be tough
Uses more casual language to indicate potential difficulty.
That is likely demanding
Focuses on the effort and resources required.
That promises to be hard
Implies anticipation of future difficulty.
That suggests a struggle
Highlights the potential for conflict or resistance.
That might prove arduous
Uses more formal language to indicate a strenuous effort.
That shapes up to be taxing
Focuses on the depleting nature of the challenge.
FAQs
How can I use "That appears challenging" in a sentence?
You can use "That appears challenging" to express that something seems difficult or requires effort. For example: "Meeting the deadline appears challenging, but we can achieve it with extra effort."
What phrases are similar to "That appears challenging"?
Alternatives include "that looks difficult", "that seems problematic", or "that presents difficulties", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.
Is "That appears challenging" formal or informal?
"That appears challenging" has a neutral to slightly formal tone. For more informal situations, consider "that could be tough". In more formal settings, phrases like "that appears formidable" might be suitable.
Can "That appears challenging" be used in academic writing?
Yes, "That appears challenging" is suitable for academic writing, but ensure it aligns with the overall tone and style of your paper. Consider using more precise language if possible.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested