ambitious challenge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ambitious challenge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task or goal that is difficult and requires significant effort or determination to achieve. Example: "The team took on an ambitious challenge by aiming to complete the project ahead of schedule while maintaining high quality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

What inspired him to embark on such an ambitious challenge?

Independent

The former head of P&G's global beauty care division, Lafley issued an ambitious challenge to his employees: open up.

Independent

Apple and other technology companies that are introducing a wave of touch-screen tablets face an ambitious challenge.

The New York Times - Tech

Or should she test a champion's greatness and accept the most ambitious challenge available: a race against males?

The New York Times - Sports

A few years ago, Guardian News and Media (GNM) set an ambitious challenge to be carbon positive.

The Guardian

"The multilingual dimension seems to be a very ambitious challenge, and if we can contribute usefully, we will be happy to do so," Mr. Racine said of the World Digital Library.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Congratulations!" As seemingly modest as the Gill case is, it could help create a favorable climate for more ambitious challenges, including the Perry case.

The New Yorker

It is increasingly likely, given the fragile state of distribution for ambitious, challenging films, that you will next encounter these films not in a theater near you but in your living room or on your laptop.

The New York Times

Mr. Henderson was entering jazz at a fertile moment, when a few ambitious, challenging albums, like John Coltrane's "My Favorite Things" and Miles Davis's "Kind of Blue," had broken through to a wide audience.

The New York Times - Arts

Treatment of skeletal class III malocclusion still seems to be one of the most ambitious challenges in orthodontics.

Progress in Orthodontics

Specifically, among the most ambitious challenges of today's LIBS involves the recognition of an organic residue when neglected on the surface of an object of identical nature.

Analytica Chimica Acta

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "ambitious challenge" with verbs that convey action and progress, such as "undertake", "tackle", "embrace", or "rise to", to emphasize the proactive approach to facing the challenge.

Common error

Avoid using "ambitious challenge" when the task is only moderately difficult. Overusing the phrase diminishes its impact, so reserve it for truly significant and demanding endeavors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ambitious challenge" functions as a noun phrase where "ambitious" modifies the noun "challenge". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and frequently used. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in describing various difficult endeavors, from personal goals to large-scale projects.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ambitious challenge" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a demanding yet aspirational task. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it effectively conveys both the difficulty and the high aims associated with a particular endeavor. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, the phrase carries a neutral to professional tone. Alternatives such as "formidable undertaking" or "daunting endeavor" can provide nuanced variations, but it's vital to reserve "ambitious challenge" for situations genuinely deserving of that descriptor to avoid diluting its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formidable undertaking

Emphasizes the scale and potential difficulty of the task.

daunting endeavor

Highlights the intimidating nature and potential setbacks.

major undertaking

Focuses on the significance and large scope of the task.

significant task

Emphasizes the importance and impact of the challenge.

bold initiative

Highlights the courageous and daring nature of the endeavor.

aspirational goal

Focuses on the high level of achievement that is desired.

stretch goal

Implies a goal that requires significant effort and pushing beyond current limits.

complex problem

Draws attention to the intricate and multifaceted nature of the challenge.

demanding task

Stresses the high level of effort and resources required.

herculean effort

Implies the challenge requires immense strength and determination.

FAQs

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

You can use "ambitious challenge" to describe a goal or task that requires significant effort and determination. For example, "The company embraced the "ambitious challenge" of reducing its carbon footprint by 50% in the next five years."

What are some alternatives to "ambitious challenge"?

Alternatives include "formidable undertaking", "daunting endeavor", or "bold initiative". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "very ambitious challenge"?

While not strictly incorrect, adding "very" to "ambitious challenge" can be redundant. The word "ambitious" already implies a high degree of difficulty and aspiration. Consider stronger synonyms for "challenge" or rephrasing for emphasis if needed.

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

While both involve difficulty, an "ambitious challenge" also implies a high degree of aspiration and a desire to achieve something significant or groundbreaking. A "difficult challenge" may simply be hard to overcome without necessarily having a grand or innovative goal.