challenged by

USAGE SUMMARY

'challenged by' can be used in written English.
It is used to describe something that is difficult or being met with difficulty. For example, "The project was challenged by significant budgeting constraints."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Onstage, Frank was challenged by Emma Goldman.

The New Yorker

Prediction: Challenged by Liverpool for fourth place.

Independent

"We will be challenged by our enemies.

The New York Times

It has been challenged by other witnessess.

The New Yorker

We will be challenged by ourselves.

The New York Times

limit after it was challenged by bicyclists.

The New York Times

I felt challenged by this.

The New York Times - Science

Better shot – challenged by Evans.

The Guardian - Sport

Darling's assertion was challenged by several MPs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Personally, I feel challenged by it.

The New Yorker

You'll enjoy and be challenged by it.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "challenged by" to accurately convey that a person or entity is facing a demanding or difficult situation, fostering a clear understanding of the context.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "challenged by" when a more active verb would create a stronger, more direct sentence. Instead of "The project was challenged by delays", consider "Delays challenged the project" for a more impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "challenged by" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating the source of a challenge or difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a common and grammatically sound construction. For example, "The project was challenged by budget constraints."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "challenged by" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate that someone or something is facing a difficult or demanding situation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is considered grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. While it appears most frequently in news and scientific sources, its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. To ensure clarity and impact, consider using the active voice when possible and choosing alternatives like "faced with" or "tested by" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

faced with

Focuses on confronting a difficulty directly.

confronted with

Emphasizes a more direct and potentially adversarial encounter.

tested by

Highlights the act of being put to the test or examined.

tried by

Implies a difficult or trying experience.

hindered by

Emphasizes the obstruction or slowing down caused by something.

impeded by

Highlights the prevention of progress or action.

thwarted by

Stresses the frustration of plans or efforts.

stimulated by

Shifts the focus to positive engagement and intellectual excitement.

inspired by

Suggests motivation and encouragement derived from something.

influenced by

Indicates being affected or swayed by something.

FAQs

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

You can use "challenged by" to indicate that someone or something faces difficulties or obstacles. For example, "The company was challenged by increasing competition".

What are some alternatives to saying "challenged by"?

Alternatives include phrases like "faced with", "confronted by", or "tested by", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "challenged by"?

While "challenged by" is often used in the passive voice, consider using the active voice for a more direct and impactful sentence. For example, instead of "The team was challenged by the deadline", you could say "The deadline challenged the team".

What's the difference between "challenged by" and "inspired by"?

"Challenged by" implies difficulty or a demanding situation, while "inspired by" suggests motivation and encouragement. "Challenged by" focuses on overcoming obstacles, whereas "inspired by" emphasizes positive influence and creativity.