a raft of challenges

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a raft of challenges" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large number of difficulties or obstacles that one may face in a particular situation. Example: "The project was delayed due to a raft of challenges, including budget constraints and staffing issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It will bring a raft of challenges.

The Guardian - Opinion

But entrepreneurs, big and small, face a raft of challenges.

The Guardian

Whoever wins will inherit a raft of challenges, some of them linked not to corruption, but to Colombia's buoyant economy and the expansion of consumer credit.

The New York Times

Such a raft of challenges are not completely foreign to his creator, C. D. Payne, who has spent significant chunks of his own career struggling, working a series of lousy jobs, living in a trailer for four years and receiving a trail of rejection letters, professional and otherwise.

The New York Times - Books

The Argentine and former Bishop of Buenos Aires is also faced with a raft of challenges ahead.

BBC

Addressing the Challenges Despite the positive indications for Middle Eastern economies in the coming year, the region's policy makers face a raft of challenges in 2010 and beyond.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

A raft of court challenges.

The New York Times

That process could take months and would likely face a raft of legal challenges from both sides.

The New York Times

The move is a patent abuse of power, and it will generate a raft of legal challenges.

The Washington Post

It is the latest in a raft of legal challenges that have been brought against the spread of secrecy across the death penalty states.

The Guardian

And that's meant a raft of new challenges for Merchant Ivory, a brand long synonymous with intelligent and sophisticated movies like "A Room With a View," "Howards End" and "The Remains of the Day".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your writing. While appropriate in many contexts, "a raft of challenges" might be substituted for more formal alternatives in highly academic or business-oriented pieces.

Common error

While "a raft of challenges" is a useful phrase, avoid using it repeatedly within the same piece of writing. Vary your language by incorporating synonyms like "a multitude of difficulties" or "a series of hurdles" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a raft of challenges" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig examples confirm its role in describing situations characterized by numerous difficulties or obstacles. It’s a set phrase used to concisely convey the presence of multiple challenges.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

13%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a raft of challenges" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe numerous difficulties or obstacles. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase effectively conveys the presence of multiple challenges in various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as formal business settings. While versatile, it's important to consider the specific context and audience when choosing between this phrase and its many alternatives, such as "a multitude of difficulties" or "a series of hurdles". Using "a raft of challenges" appropriately and avoiding overuse ensures clear and engaging communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a multitude of difficulties

Replaces "challenges" with "difficulties", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

a series of hurdles

Substitutes "challenges" with "hurdles", implying obstacles that need to be overcome.

an array of problems

Replaces "challenges" with "problems", suggesting a collection of issues to address.

a host of obstacles

Uses "obstacles" instead of "challenges", highlighting barriers to progress.

a significant number of issues

More formal and emphasizes the quantity of issues present.

numerous complications

Highlights the complex and intricate nature of the challenges.

a wide spectrum of difficulties

Emphasizes the diverse range of challenges.

many demanding tasks

Focuses on the laboriousness and effort required by the challenges.

a mountain of struggles

Emphasizes the overwhelming and arduous nature of the challenges.

a collection of tests

Presents challenges as trials or evaluations to be faced.

FAQs

How can I use "a raft of challenges" in a sentence?

You can use "a raft of challenges" to describe a situation with many difficulties. For example, "The new company faced "a raft of challenges" during its first year."

What are some alternatives to "a raft of challenges"?

Alternatives include "a multitude of difficulties", "a series of hurdles", or "an array of problems". Choose the one that best fits your specific context.

Is "a raft of challenges" a formal or informal expression?

"A raft of challenges" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal settings, you might opt for a more sophisticated alternative like "a significant number of issues".

What's the difference between "a raft of challenges" and "a number of challenges"?

"A raft of challenges" implies a larger and more overwhelming quantity of challenges compared to "a number of challenges", which is a more general statement about the existence of multiple challenges.