challenges at hand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "challenges at hand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the various challenges one is facing in the present moment. For example: "We must face the challenges at hand head on in order to achieve success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

It depends on the challenges at hand — and the person's self-awareness.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

At the time, she said, her focus was not on her gender, but the challenges at hand.

The New York Times

This surely had less to do with the fact that this was his first interview as publisher than it was about the challenges at hand.

The New Yorker

There is a "broad cross-party awareness of the magnitude of the fiscal challenges at hand and an equally broad consensus in favor of corrective action," Moody's said.

The New York Times

He considers the recovery effort's successes and failures, candidly assessing the challenges at hand and the work done admitting that he sometimes stumbled, especially in managing press relations.

University of Pennsylvania

At worst, it means that the shutdown of an entire industry's presence in the US – moving biomedical jobs and innovation overseas – will do little to solve the public health challenges at hand.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing current projects or initiatives, use "challenges at hand" to frame the context as opportunities for growth and innovation.

Common error

Avoid using "challenges at hand" in overly formal or academic writing where more precise language might be expected. Consider more specific terms like "research questions" or "methodological limitations" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "challenges at hand" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. It identifies current difficulties or tasks that require attention, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

24%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

16%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "challenges at hand" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that effectively highlights current difficulties or tasks needing attention. Analysis of real-world examples via Ludwig indicates that the phrase is appropriate for a variety of contexts, including news, academia, and business. While versatile, remember to consider the level of formality required; in more formal or technical writing, precise language may be more appropriate. Overall, as Ludwig AI confirms, "challenges at hand" is a reliable option for emphasizing present difficulties while maintaining a neutral tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tasks at hand

Replaces "challenges" with "tasks", focusing on the work needing to be done rather than the difficulty.

obstacles at hand

Substitutes "challenges" with "obstacles", highlighting the impediments that need to be overcome.

difficulties at hand

Replaces "challenges" with "difficulties", emphasizing the problematic nature of the situation.

problems at hand

Changes "challenges" to "problems", focusing on issues that require resolution.

issues at hand

Uses "issues" instead of "challenges", presenting a more neutral perspective on the matters needing attention.

constraints at hand

Replaces "challenges" with "constraints", focusing on limitations affecting the situation.

matters at hand

Substitutes "challenges" with "matters", presenting a broader view of the current situation.

predicament at hand

Replaces "challenges" with "predicament", emphasizing the difficult or unpleasant situation.

dilemma at hand

Substitutes "challenges" with "dilemma", highlighting difficult situations involving a choice between equally undesirable options.

situation at hand

Replaces "challenges" with "situation", focusing on circumstances rather than difficulties.

FAQs

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

You can use "challenges at hand" to refer to current difficulties or tasks needing attention. For example, "We must address the "challenges at hand" to ensure the project's success."

What can I say instead of "challenges at hand"?

You can use alternatives like "tasks at hand", "obstacles at hand", or "difficulties at hand" depending on the context.

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

"Challenges at hand" refers to a set of difficulties or tasks requiring effort to overcome, while "problem at hand" refers to a specific issue that needs resolution. The phrase "problem at hand" emphasizes a single, specific issue.

Which is more appropriate, "challenges at hand" or "challenges ahead"?

"Challenges at hand" refers to current challenges, while "challenges ahead" refers to future or anticipated difficulties. Use "challenges at hand" when discussing present circumstances.