contend with challenges

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contend with challenges" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of facing or dealing with difficulties or obstacles in various contexts, such as personal, professional, or academic situations. Example: "In her new role, she had to contend with challenges that tested her leadership skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

As soft drinks contend with challenges like health concerns and the economy, juices are stepping up their advertising efforts.

The New York Times

Similar efforts are under way or planned around the country as science museums and other institutions struggle to contend with challenges to the theory of evolution that they say are growing common and sometimes aggressive.

The New York Times

Female members of Congress must still contend with challenges ranging from their near-total absence from leadership posts to admonitions from a male colleague to "please act like ladies".

The New York Times

He said Birmingham had to contend with challenges such as its size and its ethnic diversity, as well the the lack of consistent leadership with four leaders in as many years.

BBC

But we must also contend with challenges from within.

Huffington Post

The answers paint a picture of American families needing more sleep than they are getting, and struggling to contend with challenges to sleep that are a product of technologically driven and highly scheduled lives.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Delivering services in fragile states is a daunting task; UNICEF must contend with challenging operational environments and a complex range of political, technical and policy issues.

Unicef

Looking at the 19th-century images of explorers, pioneers and Indians, you wonder at the fortitude it must have taken for these men and women to endure and persevere as they contended with challenges few people today could imagine.

The New York Times - Arts

While Coke contends with challenges around the world, PepsiCo is trying to resolve a messy spat in the key market where it can least afford trouble: fast-growing China.

Forbes

The FOCUS family resilience-enhancing program is designed for culturally diverse, single and dual parent families contending with challenges encountered during pre-deployment, deployment, reintegration, and long-term post-deployment.

Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review

Not only do pollsters have to contend with the challenges specific to election polling, they are also subject to the challenges that all pollsters face.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contend with challenges" when you want to emphasize the act of actively dealing with difficulties or obstacles that require effort and resilience. It suggests a proactive and often ongoing engagement with problems.

Common error

Avoid using "contend with challenges" when simpler phrases like "face problems" or "deal with issues" are more appropriate. Overusing complex phrasing can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contend with challenges" functions as a verbal phrase, specifically a verb followed by a preposition and a noun. Ludwig AI suggests this phrase signifies actively addressing and managing difficult situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "contend with challenges" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes the act of actively dealing with difficult situations. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not exceedingly common, its usage spans across news, scientific, and formal business contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When writing, it's best to use this phrase when you want to emphasize the ongoing effort required to manage difficulties, while being mindful of avoiding over-complication when simpler alternatives might suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

face difficulties

Focuses on the act of confronting problems directly.

grapple with problems

Implies a more intense struggle and prolonged effort in dealing with the issues.

deal with obstacles

Highlights the need to overcome impediments.

manage difficulties

Suggests a more controlled and strategic approach to handling issues.

address issues

Focuses on taking action to resolve specific problems.

overcome hurdles

Emphasizes the successful surmounting of obstacles.

tackle challenges

Highlights a proactive and energetic approach to confronting difficulties.

combat difficulties

Implies a more aggressive and forceful approach to resolving problems.

resolve issues

Focuses on finding solutions and bringing closure to problems.

navigate obstacles

Emphasizes the skill and strategy required to move through difficult situations.

FAQs

How can I use "contend with challenges" in a sentence?

You can use "contend with challenges" to describe the act of actively dealing with difficult situations. For example, "Small businesses often "contend with challenges" such as limited resources and intense competition".

What are some alternatives to "contend with challenges"?

Alternatives include phrases like "face difficulties", "grapple with problems", or "deal with obstacles". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "contend with challenges" or "face challenges"?

"Contend with challenges" and "face challenges" are both correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Contend with" suggests a more active and potentially prolonged struggle, while "face" simply means to confront. Choose the phrase that best reflects the intensity and duration of the situation.

What is the difference between "contend with challenges" and "overcome challenges"?

"Contend with challenges" implies an ongoing effort to manage difficulties, while "overcome challenges" suggests a successful resolution. "Overcome" indicates that the difficulties have been successfully surmounted, whereas "contend" may imply a continuous process.