be challenged by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be challenged by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations or experiences that test someone's abilities or skills. Example: "Students should be challenged by their coursework to encourage critical thinking and problem-solving."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We will be challenged by our enemies.

The New York Times

We will be challenged by ourselves.

The New York Times

You'll enjoy and be challenged by it.

The Guardian - Books

Panetta, safe, before the gunless audience, said, We'll be challenged by the enemy; we'll be challenged by ourselves; we'll be challenged by the hell of war itself.

The New Yorker

Council tax increases could be challenged by referenda.

The Guardian - Opinion

Suspect efforts to participate can be challenged by other caucusgoers.

The New York Times

The general knowledge can be challenged by this particular knowledge.

The Guardian

Heaps to think about and be challenged by.

Independent

It's one thing to be challenged by a play.

The New York Times

They are already anticipating that their ballot will be challenged by the government in the courts.

The Guardian

Any of those actions would most likely be challenged by the players union.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be challenged by" to indicate that someone or something is being pushed to their limits or forced to develop new skills and strategies. For instance, "The team will be challenged by the new regulations imposed by the governing body".

Common error

Avoid using "be challenged by" when the situation presents a simple task or minor inconvenience. This phrase implies a significant test of one's abilities or resources, not just a slight hurdle.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be challenged by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject is acted upon by a force or circumstance that tests their abilities or resources. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it describes encountering difficulties or demanding situations. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be challenged by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe encountering a test or difficulty. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage, with examples showing its prevalence in news, science, and formal contexts. The phrase implies that something or someone is being pushed to grow or adapt and presents a significant test to one's abilities. While versatile, it is important to consider the scope of the challenge to avoid overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be confronted by

Emphasizes a direct encounter with a difficulty or problem.

be tested by

Focuses on the aspect of evaluating abilities or resilience.

be stimulated by

Highlights the aspect of mental or creative invigoration.

be invigorated by

Suggests a revitalizing or energizing effect from the challenge.

be stretched by

Implies being pushed beyond one's comfort zone or usual limits.

encounter difficulties with

Focuses on the experience of facing specific hardships or obstacles.

face obstacles from

Highlights the adversarial nature of the challenges encountered.

grapple with

Emphasizes a sustained effort to overcome or understand something difficult.

struggle against

Suggests an ongoing conflict or resistance against something.

find difficulty in

States the existence of trouble or labor with something.

FAQs

How can I use "be challenged by" in a sentence?

Use "be challenged by" to express that someone or something faces a significant test or difficulty. For example, "The company will be challenged by increased competition in the market."

What's a good alternative to "be challenged by"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "be confronted by", "be tested by", or "face difficulties from".

Is it better to say "challenged by" or "facing challenges from"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "be challenged by" often implies a more direct and immediate impact, while "facing challenges from" suggests an ongoing situation. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What does it mean to "be challenged by" something?

To "be challenged by" something means to encounter a situation that tests your abilities, knowledge, or resources, often leading to growth or development.