a formidable call

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a formidable call" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a challenging or significant request or decision that requires careful consideration or courage. Example: "Accepting the leadership role was a formidable call, but I felt it was necessary for the team's future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Finding solutions is a formidable call to action, I know, but it's one that is critical to the new American dream.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He was so indefatigably brilliant that a week later, when he lined up against a formidable roll call of East Africans before the start of the 5,000, you were prompted to believe that never before had such a frail stature housed such an enormous heart.

Independent

But perhaps nothing could be more important to the company — and to gamers' perception of the company — than to create a formidable rival to Call of Duty in the modern shooter segment.

The New York Times - Arts

Ten years to the month after Jamie Oliver began his school food revolution – with the help of a formidable dinner lady called Nora Sands at Kidbrooke school in south London – a small inner-city primary on the other side of the Thames is doing its best to give it a new lease of life.

The Guardian

Third, Farenthold isn't what you would call a formidable incumbent.

Huffington Post

However, Mr Obuchi's deal in October with the New Komeito, an opposition party backed by a formidable lay-Buddhist organisation called Soka Gakkai, is far less acceptable.

The Economist

No visionary, he adopted a cautious, day-by-day approach to the job; assembled a competent Cabinet; and allowed his Secretary of State to pursue what Reeves calls a "formidable" and "expansionist" foreign policy.

The New Yorker

It is hard to imagine a blogger who would wish to promote the cause of corruption and bad government.Technology offers an opening, too, to outfits such as Lok Satta, a clean-government campaign run by a formidable, Economist-wielding doctor called J.P. Narayan.

The Economist

An expert in software-defined radio — the modification of radio signals with a computer, as opposed to mixers, amplifiers, and other hardware — Humphreys used a general-purpose processor to build what he calls a "formidable lying machine," a box that "listens" to the G.P.S. signal, gradually builds a bogus signal that aligns perfectly with the real, and then slowly overtakes it.

The New Yorker

Nonetheless, in 1399 when Richard II was deposed, the castle was well fortified and in good condition, forming what historian Douglas Biggs calls "a formidable obstacle" to Richard's enemies, and able to host the royal government when it first fled from London.

Wikipedia

As in 1987, they can call on a formidable team spirit, forged in the face of adversity by manager Pressley.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a formidable call" when you want to emphasize the demanding or challenging nature of a request, task, or decision. It conveys a sense of significance and importance.

Common error

Avoid using "a formidable call" in everyday conversation or informal writing. Its formal tone might sound out of place and overly dramatic in casual settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a formidable call" functions as a noun phrase where "formidable" is an adjective modifying the noun "call". It identifies and describes the specific nature of the call, emphasizing its demanding or challenging qualities. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a formidable call" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a demanding or challenging request or task. However, Ludwig indicates that its usage is relatively rare. As such, it's crucial to consider the context and audience when choosing this phrase, ensuring it aligns with the desired level of formality. While suitable for news and media, it may be less appropriate for informal conversations. Consider alternatives like "a significant challenge" or "a daunting task" if a less formal tone is preferred. The key is to emphasize the gravity and importance of the situation you're describing while maintaining clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant challenge

Replaces 'call' with 'challenge', focusing on the difficulty involved.

a daunting task

Substitutes 'call' with 'task' and 'formidable' with 'daunting', emphasizing the intimidating nature.

a major undertaking

Replaces the entire phrase with a more general expression for a significant project or effort.

an imposing demand

Uses 'imposing' to describe the demanding nature of the 'call'.

a substantial request

Focuses on the request aspect, highlighting its significant nature.

a critical need

Emphasizes the necessity and importance of the call.

a serious proposition

Highlights the gravity and importance of the call as a suggestion or proposal.

a tough assignment

Emphasizes the difficulty and demanding nature of the assigned task or call.

a rigorous requirement

Highlights the strictness and demanding nature of the call.

a demanding responsibility

Focuses on the burdensome and challenging nature of the call as an obligation.

FAQs

How can I use "a formidable call" in a sentence?

You can use "a formidable call" to describe something that requires a lot of effort or courage. For example: "Finding solutions is "a formidable call" to action."

What's a synonym for "a formidable call"?

Alternatives to "a formidable call" include "a significant challenge", "a daunting task", or "a major undertaking", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a formidable call" in informal conversation?

While grammatically correct, "a formidable call" is relatively formal. In informal contexts, consider using simpler alternatives like "a tough challenge" or "a difficult task".

What makes "a formidable call" different from "a simple request"?

"A formidable call" implies a substantial undertaking with significant challenges, while "a simple request" suggests something straightforward and easy to accomplish.