a broad challenge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a broad challenge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a challenge that is extensive in scope or complexity, often requiring significant effort or resources to address. Example: "The team faced a broad challenge in implementing the new policy across all departments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

First is a broad challenge on states' rights grounds, particularly with respect to health care.

The Economist

That the court even considered such a broad challenge to corporate spending was a surprise.

The Washington Post

A broad challenge against China's illegal trade practices, including providing subsidized energy and cheap credit to its exporters, could help embolden others to put forth their own complaints.

The New York Times

[C1.] Assessing China's Growing Economic Strength China's recent moves to become a more powerful global competitor foretell a broad challenge to a half-century of American economic and political ascendance, one that may go beyond Japan's nearly a generation ago.

The New York Times

C1 The China Challenge China's recent moves to become a much stronger global competitor foretell a broad challenge to a half-century of American economic and political ascendance, one that may go well beyond Japan's of nearly a generation ago.

The New York Times

PAGE C1 Challenge to Death Penalty For the first time since New York State enacted a new death penalty law in 1995, the state's highest court is about to consider a broad challenge to the penalty.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

The idea of the State of the Union as a broader challenge is a reasonable one.

The New Yorker

The controversy highlighted a broader challenge that university presses are grappling with nationwide.

The New York Times

While conventional trade barriers are a familiar threat to countries like Slovakia, financial protectionism is a broader challenge.

The New York Times

A broader challenge, Mr. Yang and senior military officers say, is to convince a middle-class society that the threat from Beijing is real.

The New York Times

In the absence of a broader challenge to the neoliberal order, simply voting yes or no is tantamount to choosing a ditch to die in.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a broad challenge" to introduce a problem that requires multiple strategies and perspectives for resolution. This signals that the solution is not straightforward.

Common error

Avoid using "a broad challenge" as a vague placeholder for a lack of specific understanding. Always ensure you can articulate the different facets of the challenge being referenced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a broad challenge" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object or subject complement in a sentence. It serves to identify a substantial issue requiring attention. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is considered grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

29%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a broad challenge" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a significant and multifaceted issue. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's suitable for formal and neutral registers, appearing frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the scope and nature of the challenge are clearly defined to enhance clarity and impact. Avoid overgeneralization by being specific about the facets of the challenge. Alternatives such as "a widespread difficulty" or "a significant undertaking" can be used to add variety to your writing. The usage is consistent and the phrase is considered standard English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a widespread difficulty

Replaces "challenge" with "difficulty" and "broad" with "widespread", emphasizing the scope of the problem.

a far-reaching problem

Uses "problem" instead of "challenge" and "far-reaching" instead of "broad", emphasizing the extensive impact.

a sweeping obstacle

Replaces "challenge" with "obstacle" and "broad" with "sweeping", highlighting the hindering nature of the challenge.

an extensive issue

Substitutes "challenge" with "issue" and "broad" with "extensive", highlighting the scale of the matter.

an overarching difficulty

Substitutes "broad" with "overarching", highlighting the all-encompassing nature of the difficulty.

a significant undertaking

Substitutes "challenge" with "undertaking", focusing on the effort required.

a wide-ranging task

Uses "task" instead of "challenge" and "wide-ranging" instead of "broad", emphasizing the diverse aspects involved.

a comprehensive task

Replaces "challenge" with "task" and "broad" with "comprehensive", focusing on the completeness required.

a major endeavor

Replaces "challenge" with "endeavor" and "broad" with "major", focusing on the importance of the task.

a global issue

Substitutes "challenge" with "issue" and "broad" with "global", indicating a worldwide problem.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a broad challenge" in a sentence?

To use "a broad challenge" effectively, clearly define the area or system facing the challenge. For example, "Climate change presents "a broad challenge" to global food security" provides a clear context.

What are some alternatives to "a broad challenge"?

You can use alternatives like "a widespread difficulty", "a significant undertaking", or "a far-reaching problem" depending on the specific context you want to emphasize.

Is "a broad challenge" formal or informal language?

"A broad challenge" is suitable for neutral to formal contexts. While it's generally appropriate for professional writing and academic discussions, more specific language might be preferred in highly technical or informal settings.

What makes a challenge "broad"?

A challenge is considered "broad" when it affects many areas or involves multiple factors. It's not limited to a single aspect but spans across various domains, requiring a multifaceted approach to address it effectively.