a substantial challenge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial challenge" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a significant difficulty or obstacle that needs to be overcome. Example: "The project presented a substantial challenge, requiring innovative solutions and teamwork."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Hackett faces a substantial challenge.

The New York Times - Sports

For the school leaders involved, forging these partnerships presents a substantial challenge.

The Guardian

The fact that Cox doesn't is hardly a substantial challenge to that statement.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yesterday, Jordan was upbeat and eager to put his arms around a substantial challenge.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's a substantial challenge for Ratner to finish this project within the time frame he's proposing.

The New York Times

Yet the philosophy of life he adopted proved a substantial challenge to that bond.

The New York Times - Books

"It's a substantial challenge, but I've always felt that she has the ability to do it," Nicks said.

The New York Times - Sports

If workers turn against each other then there's no chance of a substantial challenge to their anti-worker plans.

Independent

Mr. Farago, the hearing officer, said he had conducted 80 hearings since August, and not once had the city mounted a substantial challenge.

The New York Times

There is certainly a substantial challenge in big data investigations and intelligent data visualizations around giving meaning to complex statistics and databases.

The Guardian

On the other hand, Kidd's jumper with 1.4 seconds left to play looked pretty substantial to me and presents a substantial challenge to Dumars and the Pistons.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a substantial challenge" when you want to emphasize that the difficulty is significant and requires considerable effort to overcome.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial challenge" for minor inconveniences. Reserve it for situations where the difficulty genuinely warrants a higher level of concern and effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial challenge" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies something as a noteworthy obstacle. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's accurate usage across examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial challenge" is a commonly used noun phrase that describes a significant difficulty or obstacle. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage, highlighting its prevalence in news, media, and scientific contexts. While grammatically correct and versatile, it's crucial to reserve this phrase for situations that genuinely warrant considerable concern and effort. Alternatives such as "a significant hurdle" or "a formidable task" can provide nuanced variations depending on the intended meaning. With a high expert rating, "a substantial challenge" remains a reliable and effective way to convey the presence of a significant impediment in both formal and neutral registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant hurdle

Focuses on the idea of overcoming a barrier.

a considerable obstacle

Emphasizes the size and impact of the impediment.

a formidable task

Highlights the difficulty and the need for great effort.

a major difficulty

Directly points out the level of trouble involved.

a tough assignment

Implies a task that requires strength and resilience.

a demanding undertaking

Stresses the high requirements and effort needed.

a rigorous endeavor

Emphasizes the strictness and precision required.

a testing situation

Suggests a scenario that evaluates one's capabilities.

a complex problem

Focuses on the intricate and multifaceted nature of the issue.

a Herculean effort

Implies an enormous and seemingly impossible task, referencing the labors of Hercules.

FAQs

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

You can use "a substantial challenge" to describe a significant obstacle that requires considerable effort to overcome. For example: "Completing the project on time presented "a substantial challenge" to the team."

What are some alternatives to "a substantial challenge"?

Alternatives include "a significant hurdle", "a considerable obstacle", or "a formidable task", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a substantial challenge" in formal writing?

Yes, "a substantial challenge" is appropriate for formal writing. It is commonly used in academic, scientific, and business contexts to describe significant difficulties.

What makes something "a substantial challenge" as opposed to just a regular challenge?

The word "substantial" indicates that the challenge is significant in size, degree, or importance. It implies that overcoming the challenge requires a considerable amount of effort, resources, or expertise.