a common challenge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a common challenge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a difficulty or obstacle that many people or groups face. Example: "Time management is a common challenge for students balancing studies and part-time jobs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We share a common challenge," he said.

The New York Times

Do we face a common challenge today?

University of California, Berkeley

This is a common challenge among business owners.

The Guardian

"The live arts share a common challenge here.

The New York Times - Arts

The characterization of complex fracture networks after fracturing treatments is a common challenge for unconventional reservoirs.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

A common challenge was mitigating harmful behavior from members while maintaining an inclusive attitude.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Risk management continues to be a common challenge faced by farm business owners.

Cornell University

BackgroundRisk management continues to be a common challenge faced by farm business owners.

Cornell University

This is a common challenge across Europe with 17 member states exceeding limits.

The Guardian

Meeting NO2 limits is a common challenge across Europe with 17 member states exceeding limits".

BBC

A gap between estimated and actual building energy performance represents a common challenge.

Energy Research & Social Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a common challenge", ensure the context clearly identifies who is facing the challenge to maintain clarity and relevance.

Common error

Avoid using "a common challenge" without specifying the group or area facing it. Be specific to prevent vagueness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common challenge" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or an object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI explains, it identifies a difficulty or obstacle experienced by many. Examples from Ludwig show its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a common challenge" is a frequently used phrase across a range of contexts, primarily in news, academic, and scientific domains. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and the examples illustrate its versatility in identifying shared difficulties. While alternatives like "a widespread problem" or "a shared difficulty" exist, this phrase effectively frames obstacles encountered by multiple parties. When using it, specify the group facing the challenge to maintain clarity. Its widespread use indicates that it will be well understood in professional and neutral registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a shared difficulty

Highlights the shared nature of the problem but is slightly less formal.

a widespread problem

Emphasizes the breadth of the issue rather than its challenging nature.

a mutual obstacle

Focuses on the hindering aspect experienced by multiple parties.

a prevalent issue

Highlights the frequency and widespread nature of the problem.

a collective struggle

Implies a more active and effortful attempt to overcome the problem.

a general hurdle

Similar to challenge, but can imply something easier to overcome.

a ubiquitous difficulty

Indicates the problem is very widespread and seemingly unavoidable.

a familiar struggle

Suggests the challenge is well-known and often repeated.

a typical problem

Emphasizes the usual or expected nature of the difficulty.

a recurring issue

Focuses on the repetitive nature of the challenge.

FAQs

How can I use "a common challenge" in a sentence?

You can use "a common challenge" to describe a problem faced by many people or groups. For example, "Finding affordable housing is a common challenge for young adults."

What are some alternatives to "a common challenge"?

Alternatives include "a widespread problem", "a shared difficulty", or "a mutual obstacle", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a common challenge" or "a shared challenge"?

Both are correct, but "a common challenge" emphasizes the widespread nature of the issue, while "a shared challenge" highlights the collaborative aspect of facing the difficulty together. They are often interchangeable, but context matters.

What's the difference between "a common challenge" and "a common problem"?

"A common challenge" often implies a need for effort or skill to overcome the obstacle, while "a common problem" simply refers to a widespread issue that may or may not require significant effort to resolve. A "common problem" might be simpler to address than a common challenge.