challenge at hand

USAGE SUMMARY

"challenge at hand" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is a phrase that can be used to denote a specific task or problem that needs to be solved or addressed, and is often used to encourage someone to rise to the occasion. For example: "Let's focus on the challenge at hand and work together to find a solution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Be overly daunted or scared by the challenge at hand.

Harvard Business Review

His attention is on the challenge at hand.

The New York Times - Sports

What if the challenge at hand grows bigger than the capabilities of one brilliant star?

Harvard Business Review

If the challenge at hand is industrywide, they might even be competitors.

Harvard Business Review

It requires using intuition, adapting old tools to new contexts, and developing original techniques to meet the challenge at hand.

Stanford University

The challenge at hand, however, lies not in sending the refugees home but in keeping them there.

The Guardian - Opinion

With this challenge at hand, the researchers then passed a specific kind of electrical current from positive (anodal) to negative (cathodal) electrodes through the scalp overlying the DLPFC.

Harvard University

And it's not often that Washington sees both parties agree on the scale and the urgency of the challenge at hand.

The New York Times

The government has created 38 Local Enterprise Partnerships, but these new bodies are far too small and too weak for the challenge at hand.

The Guardian - Opinion

But there is no point in whining when the challenge at hand is to transform this disaster into a launching pad for future prosperity.

The New York Times

Is the challenge at hand a natural extension of the work that's already done, just needing some data and analytics muscle to get to the next level?

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "challenge at hand" to clearly define the specific problem or task that needs immediate attention. This helps focus efforts and resources effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "challenge at hand" repeatedly within a short text. Vary your language with synonyms like "current task" or "pressing issue" to maintain reader engagement and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "challenge at hand" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a preposition or a subject complement. It identifies a specific issue or task that requires immediate attention. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "challenge at hand" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that refers to a specific problem or task that needs immediate attention. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and can be used in written English.

It is most commonly found in news, academic, and business contexts, indicating a neutral to professional register. While the phrase is versatile, varying your language with synonyms like "current task" or "pressing issue" can enhance your writing. Remember to use it to clearly define the immediate problem, thus aiding focus and effective resource allocation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

task at hand

A more concise version focusing on the work to be done.

current task

Focuses on the work needing to be done now.

present problem

Highlights the issue that currently needs resolution.

immediate concern

Emphasizes the urgency and importance of the matter.

pressing issue

Stresses the critical nature of the challenge.

prevailing issue

Highlights the issue as the most important right now.

matter in question

Refers to a specific subject being discussed or addressed.

existing problem

Focuses on the fact that the problem already exists.

problem to solve

Highlights the need for a solution.

current dilemma

Emphasizes the difficulty of the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "challenge at hand" in a sentence?

The phrase "challenge at hand" is used to refer to a specific problem or task that needs to be addressed. For example, "The team needs to focus on the "challenge at hand" to meet the deadline."

What are some alternatives to "challenge at hand"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "current task", "present problem", or "immediate concern".

Is it correct to say "challenges at hand"?

Yes, "challenges at hand" is the plural form and is correct when referring to multiple problems or tasks. For example, "The project faces several "challenges at hand" that need to be addressed."

What's the difference between "challenge at hand" and "problem at hand"?

While both phrases refer to an issue needing attention, "challenge at hand" often implies a task that requires effort and skill to overcome, whereas "problem at hand" simply refers to an issue that needs to be resolved.