a rigorous challenge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a rigorous challenge" is correct and can be used in written English.
Example: "Completing a marathon is a rigorous challenge that requires months of dedicated training and discipline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The future of Barack Obama's signature healthcare reforms hangs in the balance after facing a rigorous challenge from conservative justices on the supreme court.

The Guardian

The future of the reforms is uncertain after the health legislation faced a rigorous challenge from conservative justices on Tuesday who described it as fundamentally changing the relationship between the individual and the government, and as giving Congress virtually unlimited power to force people to buy products for their own good.

The Guardian

Tribology research in China faced a rigorous challenge when it stagnated in the 1980s, as its major interests were focused on elastohydrodynamic theory.

Tribology and Interface Engineering Series

As a result, strong opponents are less likely to be dissuaded from mounting a rigorous challenge.

Huffington Post

Not for the faint of heart, The Wake draws the reader into post-Norman Invasion England and its horrors through adapted Old English -- just adapted enough that we can understand it without special classes, not adapted enough that it isn't a rigorous challenge.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

This adds more detail in complex scenes and makes for a more rigorous challenge for existing models.

TechCrunch

The ferret model of influenza infection is considered to be more reflective of human disease and a more rigorous challenge model.

Plosone

A detailed, rigorous, challenging read.

The New York Times

Shining a light on research is the only way the results will stand up to rigorous challenge.

Huffington Post

KPMG said today it would co-operate with the investigation but added: "As auditor to the bank we believe that we have provided, and continue to provide, robust audits which provide rigorous challenge to the judgements and disclosures proposed by the bank's management".

Independent

"Instead, we will devote our efforts to making sure our existing qualifications are rigorous, challenging and properly prepare our young people for life, work and study," he added.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a rigorous challenge", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being challenged and why the challenge is considered rigorous. Be specific about the criteria for rigor.

Common error

Avoid using "a rigorous challenge" when the situation is merely difficult or demanding. Rigor implies a high degree of precision, control, and scrutiny. Reserve the phrase for situations where these elements are demonstrably present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a rigorous challenge" functions as a noun phrase, where "rigorous" modifies "challenge". It describes a situation or task that demands precision, thoroughness, and strict adherence to standards. As Ludwig AI states, the expression is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a rigorous challenge" is a grammatically sound and semantically rich expression used to describe situations that demand precision, thoroughness, and strict adherence to standards. While relatively rare in overall usage, as indicated by Ludwig, it finds appropriate contexts in news, science, and formal business settings. As highlighted in the writing guidance, it's crucial to use the phrase accurately, reserving it for situations genuinely characterized by rigor, not just general difficulty. Alternatives like "a demanding task" or "a difficult undertaking" may be more suitable in less exacting scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a demanding task

Replaces "rigorous challenge" with a focus on the demanding nature of the task.

a difficult undertaking

Substitutes "rigorous challenge" with an emphasis on the difficulty of the undertaking.

a tough assignment

Replaces "rigorous challenge" with the idea of an assignment that requires significant effort.

a stringent test

Emphasizes the testing aspect, highlighting the strictness of the evaluation.

a formidable obstacle

Focuses on the obstacle aspect, suggesting something difficult to overcome.

an exacting trial

Uses more formal language to convey a strict and demanding test.

a steep learning curve

Highlights the challenging nature of acquiring new knowledge or skills.

a taxing endeavor

Substitutes "rigorous challenge" highlighting the effort that an endeavor requires.

a severe trial

Replaces "rigorous challenge" with the idea of a very hard trial.

an arduous task

Substitutes "rigorous challenge" to describe an effort that involves much difficulty.

FAQs

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

You can use "a rigorous challenge" to describe situations like "Completing a PhD is "a rigorous challenge" that requires years of dedication" or "The new regulations pose "a rigorous challenge" for the industry".

What are some alternatives to "a rigorous challenge"?

Some alternatives include "a demanding task", "a difficult undertaking", or "a stringent test", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to describe something as "a rigorous challenge"?

It's appropriate when the situation involves a high degree of precision, control, and scrutiny. If it is more difficult than rigorous, it may be more accurate to say "a difficult challenge" instead.

What makes a challenge "rigorous"?

A challenge is "rigorous" if it demands strict adherence to rules, precision, and thoroughness. This often involves careful planning, execution, and evaluation to meet high standards.