challenging decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "challenging decision" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a decision that is difficult to make due to various factors, such as complexity or potential consequences. Example: "Choosing between two job offers was a challenging decision for her, as both had their own advantages."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Bultmann's disciple Ernst Fuchs considers the hermeneutical task to be the creation of a "language event" in which the authentic language of scripture encounters one now, challenging decision, awakening faith, and accomplishing salvation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Intentional parenting is a wonderful -- albeit challenging -- decision to make.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Such computationally challenging decision-making problems often cannot be solved by traditional optimization techniques based on strong suppositions about the problem (convexity, differentiability, etc).. Nature and evolutionary inspired metaheuristics are also not always successful in finding global solutions to these problems due to their multiextremal character.

Advances in Engineering Software

Two hours later, Swedish authorities challenge decision to grant bail.

The Guardian

The Center for Food Safety challenged APHIS' decision in federal court.

Annals of Botany

Fundamental objectives often conflict with each other, which challenges decision making.

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

These countries will also be able to challenge decisions pertaining to cross-border banking.

The New York Times

There will now be a more formal chain of appeal to challenge decisions by military censors.

The New York Times

The trade pact would allow drug companies to challenge decisions on coverage and payment.

The New York Times

A lengthy consultation will follow in which the parties can make representations to challenge decisions.

The Guardian

Each offers a chance for people with learning disabilities to challenge decision-making professionals, chief executives, politicians and service-providers.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation where a decision requires careful consideration due to its potential impact, use "challenging decision" to highlight the complexity involved.

Common error

Avoid using "challenging decision" for trivial choices. Reserve it for scenarios where the decision genuinely presents significant difficulty or complexity, otherwise consider simpler alternatives like "difficult choice".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "challenging decision" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "challenging" modifies the noun "decision". It describes the quality or nature of the decision, indicating it is not straightforward or easy to make. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "challenging decision" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe choices that involve complexity and require careful consideration. While relatively rare, it appears in various contexts, including news, scientific publications, and encyclopedias. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. For alternative phrasing, consider "difficult decision" or "tough choice". Remember to use it when you really mean a complex decision and not for simple everyday scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult decision

Replaces "challenging" with a more common synonym, "difficult", maintaining the same meaning.

tough choice

Uses "tough" as a synonym for "challenging" and "choice" instead of "decision", slightly altering the tone.

complex decision

Emphasizes the intricacy of the decision-making process.

critical decision

Highlights the importance and potential consequences of the decision.

demanding decision

Focuses on the effort and thought required to make the decision.

momentous decision

Stresses the historical significance or lasting impact of the decision.

consequential choice

Replaces both words in the phrase to convey the serious implications of the selection.

weighty decision

Implies the decision carries significant responsibility or burden.

hard decision to make

Adds the explicit action of making the decision and emphasizes the difficulty.

problematic decision

Highlights potential problems or negative outcomes associated with the decision.

FAQs

How can I use "challenging decision" in a sentence?

You can use "challenging decision" to describe a choice that requires careful consideration due to its complexity or potential consequences. For example: "Choosing between two equally appealing job offers was a "challenging decision"."

What can I say instead of "challenging decision"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult decision", "tough choice", or "complex decision" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "challenging decision"?

Use "challenging decision" when the decision involves multiple factors, conflicting priorities, or significant potential consequences. It's best suited for situations that genuinely present a considerable degree of difficulty.

What is the difference between "challenging decision" and "difficult decision"?

While both phrases are similar, "challenging decision" often implies a more complex and multifaceted difficulty than "difficult decision". "Challenging" suggests a stimulating and thought-provoking difficulty, while "difficult" is more general.