challenging point

USAGE SUMMARY

"challenging point" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to an idea or statement that is difficult to understand or counter. For example: "Although some of the speaker's arguments were valid, his most challenging point seemed to lack any evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

If this were true, it would be rather an interesting and challenging point.

The Guardian - Opinion

We are undeniably in the midst of what will be seen as an extremely challenging point in history and many of us might agree that it could be catastrophic if action isn't more urgent.

The Guardian

"While we recognize that we are at a challenging point in the credit cycle, our portfolio is well diversified," Robert Nimmo, chief risk officer at First Union, said in a statement yesterday.

The New York Times

When I asked her what her in-laws thought of her, she said, "I don't remember much except their saying, 'She's a nice little thing.' And I would think, Oh, yes?") Hardwick's various identities, as wife, mother, Southerner, and artist, had also coalesced into an unpredictable and challenging point of view on feminism and the subjection of women.

The New Yorker

In the work of color quantization, balancing quantization quality and quantization complexity is always a challenging point.

Pattern Recognition

Conciliating such a paradox of platelets being both deleterious and beneficial is a challenging point for platelet-targeted therapeutic interventions in sepsis.

Annals of Intensive Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

This therapeutic approach was borne out of realisation that virus factors, although conceptually attractive targets because they should, in theory, provide a wide therapeutic index, are challenging points of intervention because of the high mutability of their genomes.

British Journal of Cancer

"Ask herself, 'What would Sgt. Slaughter do?' He would have argued a whole lot more about that challenged point.

The Guardian - Sport

Texas Gov. Rick Perry was challenged point blank in Iowa over the weekend by a bisexual teen who asked him to explain his opposition to gays serving openly in the military.

Huffington Post

Holley called Montgomery's remarks slanderous, and he also challenged points in Montgomery's reported testimony.

The New York Times - Sports

The shadow foreign secretary opened his remarks by paying a warm tribute to Labour's leader, Jeremy Corbyn, and then challenged, point-by-point, the Labour leader's arguments against extending RAF bombing against Isis, from Iraq to Syria.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "challenging point", ensure that the context clearly indicates what makes the point challenging. Provide specific details or explanations to enhance clarity for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "challenging point" as a catch-all phrase without specifying the nature of the challenge. Instead of simply stating something is a "challenging point", elaborate on why it presents a challenge and what specific difficulties it entails.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "challenging point" functions as a noun phrase, where "challenging" modifies the noun "point". According to Ludwig, it describes a specific aspect or issue that presents difficulties or complexities. It often serves to highlight areas needing careful consideration or further analysis.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "challenging point" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote a difficult or complex aspect of a subject. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a noun phrase highlighting an area that requires careful attention. Predominantly found in scientific, news media, and formal business contexts, its usage spans a range of registers from neutral to professional. While direct and clear, it is essential to provide sufficient context, elaborating the nature of the challenge. Alternative phrases such as "difficult aspect" or "complex issue" offer nuanced variations for diverse communicative purposes. "Challenging point" is identified as a valid expression in written English and is used in various forms of professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult aspect

Focuses on the difficulty inherent in the aspect, rather than framing it as a challenge.

complex issue

Emphasizes the intricate and multifaceted nature of the issue at hand.

problematic element

Highlights the troublesome or undesirable nature of the element.

thorny question

Conveys the idea of a question that is difficult to deal with or resolve.

tough proposition

Suggests that something is difficult to accept or deal with.

demanding task

Shifts the focus to the effort required to complete the task.

vexing matter

Indicates something that causes annoyance, frustration, or worry.

intricate detail

Highlights the complexity and elaborateness of the detail.

delicate situation

Emphasizes the need for careful handling due to potential sensitivity or risk.

significant hurdle

Indicates a substantial obstacle that needs to be overcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "challenging point" to describe an aspect, argument, or issue that is difficult to address or resolve. For example, "The most "challenging point" of the negotiation was reaching a consensus on budget allocation."

What are some alternatives to "challenging point"?

Alternatives to "challenging point" include "difficult aspect", "complex issue", or "problematic element", depending on the specific context.

Is "challenging point" formal or informal?

"Challenging point" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, the specific wording surrounding it can influence the overall tone. For more formal settings, consider using more precise and elaborate language.

What makes something a "challenging point"?

A "challenging point" is characterized by its difficulty, complexity, or the need for careful consideration to address it adequately. It often requires significant effort or expertise to resolve or understand.