be a formidable one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be a formidable one" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone that is impressive, powerful, or difficult to overcome. Example: "In the world of competitive sports, she is known to be a formidable one, consistently outperforming her rivals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The move seems designed to offset any perception of Nadella's inexperience on the hardware side, and indeed, the team should be a formidable one if Gates is really going to be spending more time off the bench.

TechCrunch

This deal follows another big merger, that of Bank of America and FleetBoston, announced with much fanfare in October.The latest combination will be a formidable one, with $1.1 trillion of assets, second in the American banking firmament only to Citigroup (and not that far behind see chart).

The Economist

The two-time world champion also believes that is partnership with Raikkonen will be a formidable one.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The basic virtue of "Hidden Figures" (which opens on December 25th), and it's a formidable one, is to proclaim with a clarion vibrancy that, were it not for the devoted, unique, and indispensable efforts of three black women scientists, the United States might not have successfully sent people into space or to the moon and back.

The New Yorker

His solution is a formidable one.

The Guardian - Arts

The picture of "classical infantile autism" is a formidable one.

The New Yorker

But to live in New York is to weigh your traumas, and moving is a formidable one.

The New Yorker

By all accounts, Mr. Turan's new challenge is a formidable one.

The New York Times

"The task facing the LEA has been a formidable one, but to a remarkable extent, it has been successfully accomplished.

The Guardian

Appendino's opponent was a formidable one: Piero Fassino, a former leader of the party that morphed into the PD.

The Guardian

A candidacy by Mr. Klein is viewed as being a formidable one by Bronx Democrats, because he has already collected more than $1 million for a possible run for state attorney general in 2006.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be a formidable one" when you want to emphasize the impressive nature, strength, or difficulty associated with a person, team, or entity. For example, "Their combined expertise will be a formidable one in the industry."

Common error

Avoid using "be a formidable one" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its formal tone is more appropriate for professional or academic settings. Using it in informal settings might come across as unnatural or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be a formidable one" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the subject as powerful, impressive, or difficult to defeat. Ludwig examples showcase its usage in news and media contexts, emphasizing the subject's strength or impact.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be a formidable one" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, though somewhat formal. Ludwig AI confirms its accuracy and provides numerous examples showcasing its use in describing entities possessing significant strength or posing considerable challenges. Its primary function is to highlight the impressive nature or power of the subject, predominantly within news and media contexts. While accurate, it is best reserved for professional or formal communications, as indicated by Ludwig's source analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be a powerful contender

Emphasizes the competitive aspect and the strength of the entity.

be a force to be reckoned with

Highlights the need to consider the entity's power and influence.

be a significant challenge

Focuses on the difficulty posed by the entity.

be a tough opponent

Specifically refers to the entity in a competitive setting.

be a strong adversary

Highlights the antagonistic relationship and strength.

be a dominant presence

Stresses the entity's overwhelming influence.

be a major player

Indicates importance and influence in a particular field.

be a considerable threat

Focuses on the potential danger posed by the entity.

be a substantial obstacle

Highlights the difficulty in overcoming the entity.

be a noteworthy competitor

Emphasizes the entity's importance in a competitive context.

FAQs

How can I use "be a formidable one" in a sentence?

You can use "be a formidable one" to describe someone or something that presents a significant challenge or is impressive in its strength. For example, "Their partnership will "be a formidable one" for their competitors."

What are some alternatives to "be a formidable one"?

Alternatives include phrases like "be a powerful contender", "be a force to be reckoned with", or "be a significant challenge", depending on the specific context.

Is "be a formidable one" formal or informal?

"Be a formidable one" leans towards the formal side. While grammatically correct, it's best suited for professional, academic, or news-related writing rather than casual conversations.

What does it mean when someone is described as "a formidable one"?

Describing someone as "a formidable one" means they possess qualities that make them difficult to overcome or challenge. This could be due to their skill, strength, influence, or other impressive attributes.