an ongoing challenge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an ongoing challenge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or problem that continues to persist and requires attention or effort over time. Example: "The team is facing an ongoing challenge in meeting project deadlines due to resource constraints."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Resolving the phylogenetic relationships between eukaryotes is an ongoing challenge of evolutionary biology.

Plosone

Managing these callouts is an ongoing challenge.

The Guardian

He adds, "I'm having an ongoing challenge to see my work outside myself.

The Guardian

Finally, there is an ongoing challenge of legitimacy and effectiveness for all NGOs.

The Guardian

He said there was "an ongoing challenge" for delivering PSB on commercial channels.

The Guardian

Challenges: Finding the right talent — salespeople, developers and designers — has been an ongoing challenge.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, conflict with Hezbollah in neighbouring Lebanon was also an ongoing challenge.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"That's an ongoing challenge".

BBC

Fouling is an ongoing challenge.

Applied Water Science

Sepsis remains an ongoing challenge in medicine.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Understanding the complexity of Titan's ionosphere is an ongoing challenge.

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "an ongoing challenge", clearly define the specific area or task where the challenge exists to provide context and clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something is "an ongoing challenge" without offering any potential strategies, insights, or approaches to address or mitigate the issue. Demonstrate a proactive stance by providing some possible solutions or paths forward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an ongoing challenge" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correctly used to describe a continuous problem. The examples from Ludwig illustrate its common usage in identifying persistent issues across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

43%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an ongoing challenge" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a persistent problem or difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent usage across various domains, especially in scientific and news-related contexts. While versatile, it's important to provide context and potential solutions when using this phrase in writing. Alternatives such as "a persistent difficulty" or "a continuing struggle" can be used to add variety. Remember to avoid overusing the phrase without providing further insights or strategies to address the challenge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a persistent difficulty

Emphasizes the continuous and unwavering nature of the difficulty.

a continuing struggle

Highlights the effort and exertion involved in dealing with the challenge.

a recurring issue

Focuses on the repetitive nature of the problem.

a constant battle

Implies a continuous and intense effort to overcome the challenge.

a perpetual problem

Suggests the problem is never-ending or always present.

a sustained effort

Highlights the need for continuous and prolonged effort.

a chronic difficulty

Indicates a long-lasting and persistent problem.

an unrelenting obstacle

Emphasizes the severity and persistence of the impediment.

a long-term project

Highlights duration of project.

a work in progress

Highlights the idea of something that is still being developed or refined.

FAQs

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

You can use "an ongoing challenge" to describe a situation or problem that continues to persist and requires attention or effort over time. For example, "Meeting project deadlines is "an ongoing challenge" due to resource constraints."

What are some alternatives to "an ongoing challenge"?

You can use alternatives like "a persistent difficulty", "a continuing struggle", or "a recurring issue" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "an ongoing challenge" and "an obstacle"?

"An ongoing challenge" implies a continuous difficulty that requires sustained effort, while "an obstacle" suggests a specific barrier that needs to be overcome. An obstacle might be resolved, whereas "an ongoing challenge" is more persistent.

Is it redundant to say "ongoing challenge" since challenges are typically ongoing?

While "challenge" often implies something ongoing, using "ongoing" emphasizes the continuous nature of the difficulty. It can be useful when you want to highlight the persistence of the issue, differentiating it from a one-time problem.