challenge to attain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "challenge to attain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a difficult goal or objective that one is striving to achieve. Example: "Completing a marathon is a significant challenge to attain for many runners."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

However, it is still a big challenge to attain high-rate capability and crystallinity of copper oxide doped semiconductor nanomaterials.

Chemistry Central Journal

However, the precise production of Ag NCs in a site-specific manner still remains a challenge to attain highly selective and label-free DNA recognition.

Analytica Chimica Acta

However, it remains a challenge to attain desired delivery rate at injection sites due to local tissue pressures exerted on the soft hydrogels.

Biomaterials

It is a challenge to attain high selectivity to azoxy-compounds in the reduction of aromatic nitro compounds as azoxy-compounds can be readily reduced to azo- and aniline compounds.

Applied Catalysis B: Environmental

However, it remains a challenge to attain the 2015 targets for the health related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) partly due to health sector human resource challenges including low staff motivation.

Human Resources for Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The Times announced last spring that its affiliate The New York Times Company Foundation would award scholarships of $12,000 a year for four years to each of six high school seniors from New York City who had surmounted daunting personal challenges to attain academic excellence.

The New York Times

Campbell's central argument, that all mythological tales spring from a single monomyth in which a hero defeats a series of challenges to attain a life-changing gift, is central to both video game and movie structure.

The Guardian - Tech

However, it remains challenging to attain such perturbed, high aspect ratio emitters.

Nano Convergence

Catalytic removal of NOx under lean-burn conditions is challenging to attain the future stringent NOx emission standards.

Catalysis Today

At the same time, commercial OW links operate at link distances that are challenging to attain in RF (3G/4G) and millimeter-wave (60 GHz) broadband communications.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

However, it remains challenging to attain high-performance MoS2-based anodes for SIBs integrated robust cyclability with rate capability more cheaply and scalably until now.

Electrochimica Acta

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "challenge to attain", ensure that the noun following "to attain" is a specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goal to enhance clarity and purpose.

Common error

Avoid pairing "challenge to attain" with overly abstract nouns that lack concrete meaning. Vague goals diminish the impact of the challenge. Instead of "challenge to attain success", specify "challenge to attain a 20% increase in sales".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "challenge to attain" functions as a purpose connector, linking a difficult task or obstacle to the act of achieving a goal. It describes the relationship between a demanding situation and the desired outcome. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "challenge to attain" serves as a connector to highlight the difficulty of achieving a specific goal. While grammatically correct and usable according to Ludwig, it is relatively rare, frequently appearing in scientific and news contexts. When using the phrase, it's best to pair it with concrete nouns and be mindful of the desired level of formality. Consider alternatives like "hurdle to overcome" or "difficulty in reaching" for varied expression. Ludwig provides examples that help clarify the specific and appropriate usage of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hurdle to overcome

Replaces "challenge" with "hurdle" and "attain" with "overcome", focusing on the act of surpassing an obstacle.

obstacle to achieving

Substitutes "challenge" with "obstacle" and "attain" with "achieving", emphasizing the impediment to reaching a specific outcome.

difficulty in reaching

Emphasizes the "difficulty" aspect, replacing "challenge", and uses "reaching" instead of "attain", highlighting the process of getting somewhere.

problem to solve

Shifts the focus to finding a "solution", with "solve" replacing "attain", implying a more active resolution.

impediment to gaining

Uses "impediment" instead of "challenge" and "gaining" instead of "attain", stressing the act of acquiring something.

struggle to secure

Highlights the "struggle" involved and replaces "attain" with "secure", focusing on ensuring or obtaining something firmly.

hardship in realizing

Emphasizes the "hardship", replacing "challenge", and substitutes "attain" with "realizing", which focuses on bringing something into existence.

endeavor to accomplish

Changes "challenge" to "endeavor", focusing on effort, and "attain" to "accomplish", emphasizing completion.

mission to fulfill

Replaces "challenge" with "mission", indicating a specific task, and "attain" with "fulfill", stressing completion of that task.

quest to acquire

Uses "quest" to denote a long journey and substitutes "attain" with "acquire", highlighting the act of obtaining something.

FAQs

How can I use "challenge to attain" in a sentence?

You can use "challenge to attain" when describing a difficult goal or objective. For example, "Securing funding is a significant challenge to attain for startups."

What are some alternatives to "challenge to attain"?

Alternatives include "hurdle to overcome", "obstacle to achieving", or "difficulty in reaching".

Is it better to say "challenge to attain" or "challenging to attain"?

"Challenge to attain" emphasizes the noun as the obstacle, while "challenging to attain" highlights the difficulty of the act of attaining. Both are correct, but their usage depends on the intended emphasis. "Challenging to attain" is more focused on the action.

How formal is the phrase "challenge to attain"?

The phrase "challenge to attain" is suitable for formal and professional contexts, particularly when discussing strategic goals, obstacles, or objectives. However, alternatives like "hard to achieve" may be more appropriate for informal conversations.