an immense challenge

USAGE SUMMARY

"an immense challenge" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to emphasize the difficulty of a task or situation. For example: "The task of rebuilding our town after the disaster was an immense challenge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Placing the picture was an immense challenge, Ms. Altman added.

The New York Times

Mr. Aites added, "I expect it to be an immense challenge".

The New York Times

Raising the status of women in the Pacific Islands is an immense challenge.

The Guardian

Just getting their produce to the side of a road is an immense challenge.

The Guardian

While living within planetary limits is an immense challenge, there are huge benefits in responding to it.

The Guardian

WASHINGTON — THE success of Secretary of State John Kerry in leading Israelis and Palestinians to resume negotiations is presenting the United States with an immense challenge.

The New York Times

But working internationally is an immense challenge for unions, because labour law and labour movements are so profoundly different in different countries.

The Economist

Every time I've read them, I've thought what an immense challenge they are, but Skriker was all [director] Sarah Frankcom's idea.

The Guardian

Caryl F. Greaves, director of the medical records department at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, said the rules would present an immense challenge.

The New York Times

The project is an immense challenge for Airbus, which is transforming itself from a loose consortium of aircraft companies into a unified corporation.

The New York Times

Forty-two percent of the parents of children in the school system, the country's largest, are not native English speakers, and communicating with them is an immense challenge.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an immense challenge" to introduce a problem that requires significant resources, skills, and persistence to overcome. It sets a tone of seriousness and highlights the magnitude of the task at hand.

Common error

Avoid using "an immense challenge" for minor difficulties or routine tasks. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an immense challenge" functions as a noun phrase, where "immense" serves as an adjective modifying the noun "challenge". It identifies and describes a specific type of difficulty or obstacle. Ludwig confirms the correct usage of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an immense challenge" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase for describing a situation or task of significant difficulty. As Ludwig highlights, the phrase is versatile and appears frequently in diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal communications. When employing this phrase, ensure the described situation genuinely warrants the term, as overusing it can diminish its impact. Alternatives like "a formidable undertaking" or "a monumental task" can provide variety while maintaining the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a formidable undertaking

Emphasizes the scale and potential difficulty of the task.

a monumental task

Highlights the large scale and significant effort required.

a Herculean effort

Draws a comparison to the mythical hero Hercules and his labors.

a daunting prospect

Focuses on the discouraging or intimidating nature of the task ahead.

a considerable hurdle

Presents the challenge as an obstacle to overcome.

a significant obstacle

Focuses on the impediment that needs to be solved.

a major endeavor

Highlights the ambition and scale of the effort.

a serious difficulty

Underscores the gravity and potential for problems.

a tough assignment

Emphasizes the difficulty and demands of the given task.

a complex problem

Highlights the intricate and multifaceted nature of the issue.

FAQs

How can I use "an immense challenge" in a sentence?

Use "an immense challenge" to describe tasks or situations that present significant difficulty and require substantial effort. For example, "Developing a sustainable energy source is "an immense challenge" for the scientific community".

What are some alternatives to "an immense challenge"?

You can use alternatives like "a formidable undertaking", "a monumental task", or "a daunting prospect" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "an immense challenge" in formal writing?

Yes, "an immense challenge" is suitable for formal writing. It's often used in academic papers, business reports, and news articles to convey the seriousness of a difficult situation or task.

What makes a challenge "immense"?

A challenge is considered "immense" when it requires significant resources, expertise, and time to overcome. It often involves multiple obstacles and a high degree of complexity.