a challenging search

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a challenging search" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a search that is difficult or requires significant effort to complete. Example: "Finding the right candidate for the position proved to be a challenging search, as we had very specific requirements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) reiterates this is a challenging search operation and continues to hold grave fears for the passengers and crew on board the missing flight.

The Guardian

After a challenging search — no cell phone service or G.P.S. — we finally pulled up to our cabin, and were met (assaulted is a better term) by the smell of room deodorizer.

The New York Times

Thus, complex polygonal domains induce in large number of triangles, edges and vertices in the visibility graph, thus representing a challenging search space for any path-planning algorithm.

Robotics and Biomimetics

This discovery evoked a challenging search for eukaryotic equivalents of this bacterial HJ resolvase a mission that was surprisingly difficult and took almost 20 years to accomplish (see West 2009 for an excellent historical overview).

Chromosoma

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The real power of A* will only be apparent with a more challenging search problem.

University of California, Berkeley

The implementation of induction in a reasoning system presents very challenging search control problems.

SEP

She said that since the challenging search for flight recorders in an Air France crash in 2009, there has been an international effort to increase beacon battery life to 90 days.

The Washington Post

In fact, budget constraints, probabilistic nature of fire behaviour and complex interactions among the different fuel treatment patches, give rise to challenging search spaces on typical landscapes.

Journal of Computational Science

In fact, budget constraints, the probabilistic nature of fire spread and interactions among the different area units composing the whole treatment, give rise to challenging search spaces on typical landscapes.

Procedia Computer Science

"This is one of the most demanding and challenging search and rescue operations, or search and recovery operations, that I have ever seen and I think probably one of the most complex operations of this nature that the world has ever seen," he told Mr Najib and Mr Abbott.

BBC

The rain is also expected to complicate the already challenging search for human remains among the rubble of the Camp fire.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a challenging search" when you want to emphasize that the search requires significant effort, skill, or resourcefulness. It's suitable when the difficulty arises from the nature of the search itself, rather than external factors.

Common error

Avoid using "a challenging search" to describe situations where the difficulty stems from external impediments (e.g., lack of funding or resources) rather than inherent complexities within the search itself. In those cases, consider phrases like "a resource-constrained search" or "a poorly funded search".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a challenging search" functions as a noun phrase where "challenging" modifies the noun "search". It describes the type of search being undertaken. Ludwig AI indicates its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a challenging search" describes a search characterized by difficulty and the need for significant effort. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Its usage spans diverse fields, including news, science and academia, with a generally neutral tone. Alternatives like "a difficult search" or "a tough search" exist, but "a challenging search" specifically highlights inherent complexities rather than external limitations. When writing, ensure the phrase aligns with the source of difficulty being intrinsic to the search process itself for optimal clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a difficult search

Replaces "challenging" with a more straightforward synonym, reducing the intensity.

a tough search

Uses "tough" to indicate a search requiring resilience and effort.

an arduous search

Emphasizes the laboriousness and prolonged nature of the search.

a demanding search

Highlights the high requirements and effort needed for the search.

a complex search

Focuses on the intricate and multifaceted nature of the search process.

a problematic search

Indicates that the search involves obstacles and unresolved issues.

a trying search

Suggests that the search is likely to cause stress and frustration.

a painstaking search

Highlights the need for meticulous attention and care during the search.

a rigorous search

Emphasizes the thoroughness and strictness of the search process.

an uphill search

Implies that the search will be difficult and require sustained effort to overcome obstacles.

FAQs

What does "a challenging search" mean?

The phrase "a challenging search" describes a search that is difficult and requires significant effort, skill, or ingenuity to complete successfully. It implies that the search is not straightforward and may involve overcoming obstacles or complexities.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a challenging search"?

Use "a challenging search" when the difficulty of the search stems from its inherent complexity or the nature of the task itself, rather than external factors like lack of resources. It's suitable when the search requires a high degree of expertise or problem-solving ability.

What are some alternatives to "a challenging search"?

You can use alternatives like "a difficult search", "a tough search", or "a complex search", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a challenging search" formal or informal?

The phrase "a challenging search" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, it's most common in professional or academic writing where precise and descriptive language is valued.