a major challenge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a major challenge' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a difficult situation or task. For example: "Building a successful business from the ground up has been a major challenge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is a major challenge".

The New York Times

This poses a major challenge.

The New York Times

It's a major challenge.

The New York Times

Privacy was a major challenge as well.

The New York Times

and that is a major challenge".

The New York Times

Implementation remains a major challenge.

The Guardian

Merely staying clean was a major challenge.

The Guardian - Books

It's a major challenge, but why not?

The Guardian - Sport

Was it a major challenge though?

The Guardian

"Transmission is a major challenge," Mason says.

The Guardian

Its computation represents a major challenge.

Journal of Computational Physics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a major challenge", ensure that the context clearly defines what makes the challenge significant. Be specific about the aspects that create difficulty.

Common error

Avoid using "a major challenge" as a generic statement. Always provide specific details about the nature and scope of the challenge to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major challenge" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as a subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig's AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts, signaling a significant difficulty or obstacle.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

52%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a major challenge" is a widely used and grammatically sound phrase employed to denote a significant difficulty or obstacle. Ludwig's AI confirms its appropriateness across diverse contexts. Its frequency is very common, particularly in science and news & media, highlighting its relevance in both academic and public discourse. When using this phrase, it's crucial to provide specific context to enhance clarity and avoid generic statements. Alternatives such as "a significant hurdle" or "a considerable obstacle" can be used for variety while maintaining similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant hurdle

Replaces "challenge" with "hurdle", implying an obstacle that needs to be overcome.

a considerable obstacle

Substitutes "challenge" with "obstacle", emphasizing the obstructive nature of the difficulty.

a substantial difficulty

Replaces "challenge" with "difficulty", focusing on the problematic nature of the situation.

a tough problem

Uses simpler language, replacing "major challenge" with "tough problem".

a formidable task

Replaces "challenge" with "task", suggesting a demanding assignment.

a critical issue

Shifts the focus to the importance of the problem, rather than just its difficulty.

a key obstacle

Highlights the obstacle as being central or essential to address.

a serious impediment

Replaces "challenge" with "impediment", indicating something that hinders progress.

a daunting prospect

Focuses on the intimidating aspect of the challenge.

a Herculean effort

Indicates the need for extraordinary strength and effort to overcome the challenge.

FAQs

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

Use "a major challenge" to describe a significantly difficult task or situation. For example, "Adapting to the new regulations is "a major challenge" for many businesses."

What are some alternatives to "a major challenge"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant hurdle", "a considerable obstacle", or "a substantial difficulty" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "a big challenge" or "a major challenge"?

"A major challenge" generally implies a more significant and complex difficulty than "a big challenge". The choice depends on the specific context and the degree of difficulty you want to emphasize.

What makes something qualify as "a major challenge"?

A situation qualifies as "a major challenge" when it presents significant obstacles, requires substantial effort to overcome, and has potentially serious consequences if not addressed effectively.