be a challenging problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be a challenging problem" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation or task that presents difficulties or obstacles to overcome. Example: "The new software implementation is expected to be a challenging problem for the IT team, requiring innovative solutions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

This is an interesting but may be a challenging problem.

Boundary Value Problems

Understanding regional streamflow dynamics and patterns continues to be a challenging problem.

Journal of Hydrology

Distribution of finite levels of resources between multiple competing tasks can be a challenging problem.

Preventive Veterinary Medicine

Revision hip surgery for recurrent instability can be a challenging problem.

Seminars in Arthroplasty

Childhood osteomyelitis can be a challenging problem to both the clinician and the radiologist as the clinical presentation can be variable in severity, and laboratory results are relatively unsupportive in the diagnostic workup.

Insights into Imaging

Design of a controller that damps driveline oscillations, while compensating network-induced time-varying delays, can be a challenging problem considering that vehicle drivetrains are characterized by fast dynamics that are subject to physical and control constraints.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

These pet peeves aside, elections forecasting is a challenging problem.

The New York Times

This is a challenging problem.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Membrane protein isolation is a challenging problem.

Protein Expression and Purification

Unanticipated difficult airway is a challenging problem for anesthesiologists.

JA Clinical Reports

Therefore, identifying an object with features is a challenging problem.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "be a challenging problem", ensure that the context clearly indicates why the problem is considered challenging. Provide specific details about the difficulties or complexities involved to give the reader a clear understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "be a challenging problem" as a generic statement without elaborating on the specifics of the challenge. Instead of simply stating that something is a challenging problem, explain what makes it so to maintain clarity and relevance for your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be a challenging problem" functions as a predicate nominative, where "challenging problem" renames or describes the subject. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's a common way to describe a situation that requires significant effort to resolve.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

82%

News & Media

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be a challenging problem" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a situation that presents difficulties or obstacles. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is particularly prevalent in scientific and technical contexts, though it also appears in news and general media. When using this phrase, it's important to provide specific context about the nature of the challenge to enhance clarity. While effective in formal and neutral registers, simpler alternatives may be preferred in more informal settings. Alternatives include phrases like "be a difficult issue" or "pose a significant hurdle", offering nuanced ways to express the same core idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be a difficult issue

Replaces "problem" with "issue", implying a matter of concern or debate that requires resolution.

be a tough situation

Substitutes "challenging" with "tough" and "problem" with "situation", suggesting a demanding set of circumstances.

be a complex matter

Replaces "challenging" with "complex" and "problem" with "matter", focusing on intricacy rather than difficulty.

present a formidable obstacle

Transforms the phrase to emphasize the obstructive nature of the problem, using stronger vocabulary.

pose a significant hurdle

Highlights the challenging aspect as a barrier to overcome, framing it as a "hurdle".

constitute a major difficulty

Rephrases the sentence structure to stress the substantial degree of difficulty involved.

represent a considerable challenge

Similar meaning, but replaces "problem" with "challenge" and uses "represent" instead of "be".

prove to be demanding

Focuses on the demanding nature of the task or situation rather than explicitly labeling it a problem.

involve considerable intricacy

Shifts the focus to the intricate details that make something difficult to manage.

call for innovative solutions

Suggests that the problem demands creative and original approaches to solve it.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "be a challenging problem" in a sentence?

To use "be a challenging problem" effectively, clearly state the subject that presents the challenge and briefly explain the core reasons for the difficulty. For instance, "Data integration can "be a challenging problem" due to inconsistent formatting and varied data sources" provides both the subject and the reason.

What are some alternatives to "be a challenging problem"?

You can use alternatives like "be a difficult issue", "present a formidable obstacle", or "pose a significant hurdle" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use "be a challenging problem"?

The phrase "be a challenging problem" is appropriate in contexts where you need to convey that a task, situation, or issue presents significant difficulties that require effort and skill to overcome. It is commonly used in academic, professional, and technical discussions.

Is "be a challenging problem" more suitable for formal or informal writing?

While "be a challenging problem" is acceptable in both formal and informal writing, it tends to be more common in formal and professional contexts where precise and direct language is preferred. In more informal settings, you might opt for simpler phrases like "be a tough problem" or "be a tricky problem".