a strong challenge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a strong challenge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a difficult task or obstacle that requires significant effort or skill to overcome. Example: "The project presented a strong challenge, pushing the team to innovate and collaborate more effectively than ever before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

He could face a strong challenge from Gen. Sarath Fonseka.

The New York Times

From there she made up several lengths in a short time to mount a strong challenge.

The Guardian - Sport

Nor was his election entirely secure, thanks to a strong challenge from an energised opposition coalition.

The Guardian

The fundamental proposition of news — to provide accurate facts — is facing a strong challenge.

The New Yorker

We'd like to see him run a strong challenge to Chuck Schumer".

The New York Times

Only one Democrat, Senator Charles S. Robb of Virginia, is fighting a strong challenge.

The New York Times

Kirchhoff shouldered Bassong off the ball: possibly a foul, more likely just a strong challenge.

The Guardian - Sport

"He is making a strong challenge and there are people who are enamored of him.

The New York Times

They may soon face a strong challenge from another high-mileage option: diesels.

The Economist

Sharapova held off a strong challenge from the American Christina McHale, 7-5, 7-5.

The New York Times - Sports

So was a Republican in Kentucky with a strong challenge, Representative Anne M. Northup.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a strong challenge" to emphasize the difficulty and intensity of a task or competition. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a strong challenge" as a generic descriptor. Instead, provide context about the nature of the challenge. For example, instead of saying "The project was a strong challenge", specify what made it challenging: "The project was a strong challenge due to the tight deadline and limited resources."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a strong challenge" functions as a noun phrase, where "strong" modifies the noun "challenge". It describes something that tests one's abilities, resources, or resolve. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct and perfectly usable in English writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a strong challenge" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for describing tasks or situations that demand considerable effort and skill. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and usability in various contexts. While appropriate for both formal and informal communication, it's crucial to provide specific context about the nature of the challenge to avoid generic descriptions. Alternatives like "a formidable challenge" or "a tough test" can be used to add nuance or emphasis. Its high frequency across reputable sources like The New York Times and BBC underscores its widespread acceptance and reliability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a formidable challenge

Replaces "strong" with "formidable", implying a challenge that is difficult to overcome due to its size or strength.

a significant hurdle

Substitutes "challenge" with "hurdle", suggesting an obstacle that needs to be overcome to progress.

a major obstacle

Similar to "a significant hurdle", emphasizing the obstructive nature of the challenge.

a tough test

Replaces both "strong" and "challenge" with simpler synonyms, focusing on the difficulty aspect.

a stern test

Indicates a challenge that will severely test one's abilities.

a demanding task

Shifts the focus to the effort required to address the challenge.

a rigorous trial

Implies a test of endurance and resilience.

a stiff competition

Frames the challenge as a competitive situation where success is hard-earned.

a considerable undertaking

Suggests a large and complex challenge requiring careful planning and execution.

a Herculean task

Alludes to a task of immense difficulty, requiring extraordinary strength and effort.

FAQs

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

You can use "a strong challenge" to describe a situation that requires significant effort and skill to overcome. For instance, "The new policy presents "a strong challenge" to the company's existing practices."

What can I say instead of "a strong challenge"?

You can use alternatives like "a formidable challenge", "a tough test", or "a significant hurdle" depending on the context.

Is "a strong challenge" formal or informal?

"A strong challenge" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. Its suitability depends more on the surrounding language than on the phrase itself.

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

While similar, "a strong challenge" often implies a more active or competitive situation, whereas "a difficult challenge" focuses on the inherent difficulty of the task. Both phrases are often interchangeable though.