a challenging program

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a challenging program" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a program that is difficult or requires significant effort and skill to complete. Example: "The university offers a challenging program that prepares students for demanding careers in engineering."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

The physics major is a challenging program.

University of California, Berkeley

"That's given us a stability and ability to plan a challenging program," Mr. Karp said.

The New York Times

"We wanted a challenging program that would have teeth," said Shinn.

Cornell University

A challenging program in which different types of superconducting magnets are developed to meet specific requirements is in operation.

Physica B: Condensed Matter

It might not appreciably change your chances if you have four A.P. courses or five, provided you have taken a challenging program.

The New York Times

Mr. Previn, who spends some time with this student orchestra every year and has made recordings with it, chose a challenging program.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

This year, the team is performing a more challenging program that begins with the melodic "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes" from the film "Cinderella" and concludes with the Weather Girls' hit "It's Raining Men".

The New York Times

Lysacek, a tall, tanned Californian, skated a technically challenging program to Puccini's "Tosca," with just enough shaky landings to give Weir a chance at the title.

The New York Times - Sports

BCGS is a very challenging program, specifically designed to push students in their academic and daily lives.

Columbia University

More than offering valuable professional skills, English is the one place that allowed me to explore all my many interests in a coherent and challenging program of study.

Princeton University

Sarah Hughes won a sure sweetheart's place in the heart of America when she rose from fourth in the skating short program to first after moving flawlessly through a challenging long program.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid redundancy, alternate the phrase with synonyms like "a rigorous curriculum" or "a demanding course of study".

Common error

Avoid using "a challenging program" to describe activities that are only mildly difficult; reserve it for situations truly requiring significant effort and skill. Otherwise, consider using phrases like "a stimulating activity" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a challenging program" functions as a noun phrase, where "challenging" is an adjective modifying the noun "program". It is used to describe a specific type of program characterized by its difficulty and the effort required to complete it. This aligns with Ludwig's identification of the phrase as usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Academia

40%

News & Media

40%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a challenging program" is a grammatically correct and readily understandable phrase used to depict an undertaking that demands considerable effort and skill. Ludwig's analysis reveals that while suitable for academic and professional settings, it also features in news and media. To enhance writing, it's helpful to use synonyms like "a rigorous curriculum" or "a demanding course of study" to prevent redundancy. Therefore, the context determines the most effective alternatives and usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a rigorous curriculum

Replaces "program" with "curriculum" emphasizing the academic aspect and the structured set of courses.

a demanding course of study

Highlights the demanding nature of the program, focusing on the effort required.

a difficult undertaking

Shifts the focus to the inherent difficulty and the commitment required.

a complex initiative

Emphasizes the intricate and multifaceted nature of the program.

an ambitious project

Highlights the scale and aspirational goals of the program.

a strenuous endeavor

Focuses on the effort and energy required to complete the program.

a testing experience

Emphasizes that the program will test the abilities and resilience of participants.

an intensive scheme

Stresses the concentrated and immersive nature of the program.

a formidable task

Highlights the difficulty and potential obstacles involved in the program.

an exacting regimen

Focuses on the strict and precise requirements of the program.

FAQs

How can I use "a challenging program" in a sentence?

You can use "a challenging program" to describe an activity or course of study that requires considerable effort. For example: "The university offers "a challenging program" in astrophysics".

What's the difference between "a challenging program" and "a difficult program"?

While similar, "a challenging program" often implies the difficulty is beneficial and stimulating, fostering growth and development. "A difficult program" might simply suggest obstacles without the implication of positive outcomes.

Which is correct, "a challenging program" or "an challenging program"?

"A challenging program" is correct. Since "challenging" begins with a consonant sound, the article "a" is used, not "an".

What are some alternatives to "a challenging program"?

Alternatives include "a rigorous curriculum", "a demanding course of study", or "a complex initiative", depending on the specific context.