a formidable goal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a formidable goal" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an objective that is challenging or difficult to achieve. Example: "Setting out to reduce carbon emissions by 50% in the next decade is a formidable goal for our organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Last week, the minister for sanitation, a new post, came up with a formidable goal: to make India an open defecation free nation in ten years.

The New York Times

I'd feel better in a world of imaginative creators of grand ideas — even if this seems to me, admittedly, a formidable goal.

The New Yorker

Its government has pledged to generate 20percentt of its energy from nonfossil fuel sources by 2030, a formidable goal that will require the Chinese to install at least 800 gigawatts worth of solar, wind and nuclear energy capacity — a process that is already underway.

The New York Times

It's a formidable goal and there's a lot more work done in Hipster's case, admittedly.

TechCrunch

Looking to the future, Tucker's team of 19 (a number projected to triple by the summer) has a formidable goal in mind: facilitating conversations with every American household by the close of next year.

Forbes

And 2 degrees is a formidable goal.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

A complex series of measures for achieving this formidable goal were under way during the late 20th century.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Also worth watching will be the tussle between the Firebird's Romelda Aitken – who at 1.96m tall and with 628 goals in 2013 is quite the formidable goal shooter – and T-birds' keeper Sharni Layton, who has also had a great season.

The Guardian - Sport

Brendan Rodgers's side have now scored a formidable 17 goals in four home matches, seemingly having dispelled concerns from previous seasons that they struggle at Anfield against the Premier League's so-called lesser sides.

BBC

Higher education institutions like University of Memphis and Rhodes College support and boost the ecosystem, but also are tasked with the formidable goals of producing and retaining a pool of skilled talent that will help build the innovation ecosystem.

Forbes

Ocasio-Cortez and others have outlined formidable goals, but have not yet detailed a clear way of achieving them.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a formidable goal" when you want to emphasize the difficulty and impressiveness of an objective. It suggests that achieving the goal will require significant effort, skill, and determination.

Common error

Avoid using "a formidable goal" for trivial tasks. It's best reserved for objectives that genuinely present a significant challenge. Overusing it can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a formidable goal" functions as a noun phrase where "formidable" is an adjective modifying the noun "goal". Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and appears in various reputable sources, thus confirming its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a formidable goal" is a grammatically sound and effective way to describe a challenging objective. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, indicating its acceptance in formal contexts. While not overly common, it provides a nuanced way to express the significant effort required to achieve a particular aim. When writing, reserve its use for truly challenging tasks to maintain its impact. Consider alternatives like "an ambitious target" or "a daunting task" for varied expression. In essence, "a formidable goal" is a valuable tool for precise and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a monumental goal

Emphasizes the large scale and significant effort required.

a challenging goal

Focuses on the difficulty and the need for skill and effort.

a daunting goal

Highlights the intimidating and discouraging nature of the objective.

an ambitious goal

Suggests the goal requires significant effort and stretches beyond the ordinary.

a demanding goal

Implies the goal requires considerable effort and resources.

a tough objective

A more informal way of expressing the difficulty of the goal.

a difficult aim

Similar to "challenging goal" but with a slightly different connotation.

a herculean task

Emphasizes the immense strength and effort required, drawing from mythology.

a significant undertaking

Focuses on the importance and scale of the endeavor.

a sizable challenge

Highlights the considerable difficulty and complexity involved.

FAQs

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

You can use "a formidable goal" to describe an objective that is challenging and requires significant effort. For example, "Reaching carbon neutrality by 2030 is "a formidable goal" for many countries".

What are some alternatives to "a formidable goal"?

Alternatives to "a formidable goal" include "a challenging goal", "an ambitious goal", or "a daunting task". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a formidable goal" in formal writing?

Yes, "a formidable goal" is suitable for formal writing. It is a sophisticated and precise way to describe a difficult objective, and it appears frequently in reputable news and academic sources.

What's the difference between "a formidable goal" and "a difficult goal"?

"A difficult goal" simply indicates that something is not easy to achieve. "A formidable goal" suggests that the objective is not only difficult but also inspires respect or even some degree of apprehension due to its significant challenges.