a reasonable challenge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a reasonable challenge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a task or situation that is difficult but still achievable and fair. Example: "The exam presented a reasonable challenge, pushing students to demonstrate their understanding of the material."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

In August, he made the Internet cranky by claiming to be the "king of New York" with a fairly nondescript appearance on Big Sean's "Control," while also calling out rappers for not trying hard enough (a reasonable challenge, from this seat).

The New Yorker

The formerly diminutive, Redmond-based software company just gave itself a reasonable challenge.

TechCrunch

Furthermore, there is 20% room for improvement, which should pose a reasonable challenge for most hospitals.

BMC Health Services Research

It is a reasonable challenge to any global effort to improve end-of-life care to ask, "In such an unjust world, where apparently the lives of many people in developing countries do not matter, why should their deaths?" (A less blunt version of this question would be to ask whether a focus of quality end-of-life care is justifiable when many of the deaths in developing countries are preventable).

BMC Palliative Care

Set yourself a (reasonable) challenge to accomplish.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

We will accept any reasonable challenge, we are happy to drive long and far, but it may help to know that we especially love spicy food, outdoor swimming, friendly people, good coffee, independent bookshops, wide open landscapes, unspoilt nature, roadside Americana, tumbleweed, iconic motels, giant balls of string, pre-Columbian history, and pleasant surprises.

The Guardian - Travel

But he has grown into a more reasonable challenge; he's grown into a child I am proud to parent (a relief I cannot articulate, and a relief I hope I still have nine years from now, when we are past his teenage years).

Huffington Post

I still think that the movie is an excessively reasonable challenge to an unreasonable set of laws, but it's undoubtedly an intensely sincere, heartfelt, even passionate film, and if I could I'd apologize to him for having thought otherwise.

The New Yorker

For Sinclair, the course, shortened significantly to 6,490 yards, or 5,935 meters, for the women, will pose a rough but reasonable challenge.

The New York Times - Sports

And still others are tempted to embrace a method or procedure e.g., cost benefit analysis or rational choice theory that purports to yield results that are immune to reasonable challenge.

SEP

Still these applications present reasonable challenges (solutions are feasible for the state of the art in a relatively short term) and are a new inspiration for CS professionals to produce something tangible for society which still demands ingenuity and responsible development.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When setting goals, use the phrase "a reasonable challenge" to convey that the objective is ambitious yet realistically achievable, encouraging effort without setting up for failure.

Common error

Avoid using "a reasonable challenge" when the task is clearly beyond the current skills or resources available. Ensure the challenge aligns with the team's or individual's capacity for growth and adaptation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a reasonable challenge" functions primarily as a descriptive phrase, where "reasonable" modifies the noun "challenge". It describes a task or situation that is difficult but still achievable and fair. As Ludwig AI notes, it's a grammaticaly correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a reasonable challenge" is a descriptive phrase indicating a task or goal that is difficult yet achievable. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. This phrase is most commonly found in news media and scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral register. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the challenge is indeed attainable, aligning with current skills and resources, as avoiding overestimation is key. The goal is to encourage growth and effort without setting up individuals or teams for failure. Alternative phrases such as "a manageable task" or "a feasible endeavor" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an acceptable difficulty

Replaces "challenge" with a synonym for difficulty and "reasonable" with a term suggesting acceptability.

a fair test

Substitutes "challenge" with "test", implying an evaluation or trial, and "reasonable" with "fair", indicating impartiality and justness.

a manageable task

Replaces "challenge" with "task", denoting a piece of work, and "reasonable" with "manageable", suggesting ease of handling or control.

a feasible endeavor

Replaces "challenge" with "endeavor", implying a serious attempt or effort, and "reasonable" with "feasible", meaning capable of being done.

a practical undertaking

Replaces "challenge" with "undertaking", denoting a task that is taken on, and "reasonable" with "practical", suggesting usefulness and efficiency.

a viable goal

Substitutes "challenge" with "goal", which suggests something you are trying to achieve and "reasonable" with "viable" meaning capable of working successfully

a realistic aim

Replaces "challenge" with "aim" and "reasonable" with "realistic", both indicating achievability.

a moderate hurdle

Substitutes "challenge" with "hurdle", emphasizing an obstacle, and "reasonable" with "moderate", indicating it's not extreme.

a tolerable obstacle

Replaces "challenge" with "obstacle" to refer to a hindrance and "reasonable" with "tolerable" to show that it is bearable.

an attainable objective

Substitutes "challenge" with "objective" and "reasonable" with "attainable", showing the possibility of achievement.

FAQs

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

You can use "a reasonable challenge" to describe a situation or task that is difficult but still achievable. For example: "The project presented "a reasonable challenge", pushing the team to innovate and improve their skills."

What phrases are similar to "a reasonable challenge"?

Similar phrases include "a manageable task", "a feasible endeavor", or "a practical undertaking". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to set "a reasonable challenge" or an easy goal?

Setting "a reasonable challenge" can be more motivating than an easy goal because it encourages growth and development. However, it's important to ensure the challenge is attainable with effort and resources.

What's the difference between "a reasonable challenge" and "a difficult challenge"?

"A difficult challenge" may imply a task that is exceptionally hard, potentially overwhelming. "A reasonable challenge" suggests a difficulty level that is high, but still within reach with dedication and effort.