challenging proposition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "challenging proposition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a difficult or demanding idea, task, or situation that requires careful consideration or effort to address. Example: "The proposal to implement a four-day workweek is a challenging proposition that requires thorough analysis and discussion among stakeholders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Californian non-smoking stoners are a theologically challenging proposition.

The Guardian - Film

It strikes me that a list of virtuous characters would be a far more challenging proposition.

The Guardian - Books

So in my view they've built up a relatively challenging proposition".

The Guardian - Music

In some ways the Mozart concerto was itself a challenging proposition.

The New York Times - Arts

Segmentation of the different feature based data in a dataset is a challenging proposition in the image processing community.

Applied Soft Computing

But while a love marriage may be a challenging proposition for Pakistan's conservative society, love itself is widely honored.

The New York Times

This is a challenging proposition that would see duplicate chunks of a huge index distributed between broadband-connected PCs.

The Guardian - Tech

But "His Dark Materials" is a far more challenging proposition than its cinematic predecessors, and not only because of the complexity of its philosophical and scientific underpinnings.

The New York Times

Laws and government are key to changing beliefs: Behaviour and norm change at scale is an expensive and hugely challenging proposition.

The Guardian

"Criticizing President Obama is a challenging proposition in terms of ads because a lot of your swing voters this year voted for him in 2008," Mr. McCarthy said.

The New York Times

In addition, rather than abandoning old wells and moving on, it has become worthwhile to keep older wells alive — another technically challenging proposition.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "challenging proposition" when you want to emphasize that something requires considerable effort, skill, or careful consideration. It's suitable when highlighting the demanding nature of a task or idea.

Common error

While "challenging proposition" is widely accepted, avoid overusing it in informal settings. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives like "tough task" or "difficult job" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "challenging proposition" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "challenging" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "proposition". Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and wide usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "challenging proposition" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that describes a difficult or complex task, idea, or plan. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and wide applicability. It is most frequently found in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using the phrase, remember to consider your audience and adjust your language accordingly; while appropriate in professional settings, simpler alternatives may be better suited for informal conversations. The phrase effectively communicates the demanding nature of something, making it a valuable addition to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult undertaking

Replaces 'proposition' with a synonym that emphasizes the effort required.

complex endeavor

Focuses on the intricate and multifaceted nature of the task.

formidable task

Highlights the imposing nature of the challenge.

demanding project

Emphasizes the high level of effort and skill required.

arduous assignment

Stresses the difficulty and labor involved.

testing venture

Focuses on the way the task will assess one's abilities.

ambitious scheme

Highlights the bold and far-reaching nature of the plan.

thorny issue

Emphasizes the problematic and potentially contentious nature of the matter.

intricate problem

Highlights the complex and convoluted nature of the issue.

delicate matter

Focuses on the sensitivity and care required in handling the situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "challenging proposition" to describe something that requires significant effort and thought. For example, "Implementing the new software system is a "challenging proposition" for the IT department."

What are some alternatives to "challenging proposition"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "difficult task", "complex endeavor", or "formidable task".

Is it correct to say "challenge proposition" instead of "challenging proposition"?

"Challenge proposition" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""challenging proposition"", where "challenging" acts as an adjective describing the proposition.

In what contexts is "challenging proposition" most appropriate?

"Challenging proposition" is appropriate in formal and professional contexts, such as academic papers, business reports, and news articles. It conveys a sense of seriousness and complexity.