continue to be a challenge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "continue to be a challenge" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation or problem that is ongoing and still difficult to overcome. Example: Despite efforts to improve the education system, funding continues to be a challenge for many schools.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, the development of sampling and analysis methods for pesticides will continue to be a challenge with the nearly continuous introduction of new active ingredients and formulations.

Hayes' Handbook of Pesticide Toxicology

But breaking the cycle of recidivism and violence will continue to be a challenge.

The New York Times

"It's a very big challenge, and it's going to continue to be a challenge," she said.

The New York Times

And how long will it continue to be a "challenge" to the Aussies?

The Guardian - Sport

Thrombosis formation, restenosis, and delayed endothelium regeneration continue to be a challenge for coronary artery stent therapy.

Materials Science and Engineering: C

"Providing enough water to grow food for the planet is and will continue to be a challenge," he said.

The New Yorker

But his past statements about allowing market forces to address the problem continue to be a challenge for Mr. Romney.

The New York Times

"Open access advocacy and partnership is an established role for libraries across the world: books continue to be a challenge.

Harvard University

"Providing enough water to grow food for the planet is and will continue to be a challenge,'' he said.

The New Yorker

In Washington, low inventory may continue to be a challenge, but it's not the only factor to consider.

The Washington Post

"We believe the remainder of 2009 will continue to be a challenge for the U.S. automotive market," said Peter Fong, the head of Chrysler's sales organization.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "continue to be a challenge", ensure that the context clearly indicates what efforts, if any, have been made to address the challenge. This provides a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "continue to be a challenge" as a generic statement. Provide specific details about the nature of the challenge and its impact to make your writing more informative and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "continue to be a challenge" functions primarily as a predicate nominative, where it describes the state or condition of a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and commonly used to describe an ongoing difficulty. It essentially renames or identifies the subject as a persistent problem.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

34%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "continue to be a challenge" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to denote an ongoing difficulty. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's suitable for describing situations that remain problematic despite efforts to resolve them. It's most commonly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure to provide specific context about the nature of the challenge to enhance clarity and impact. While many alternatives exist, such as "persist as an issue" or "remain a hurdle", the choice depends on the desired nuance and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

present an ongoing obstacle

Replaces "challenge" with "obstacle" and explicitly states that it's ongoing.

persist as an issue

Focuses on the ongoing nature of the problem by using "persist" and framing it as an "issue".

pose a continuous difficulty

Uses "difficulty" instead of "challenge" and "pose" instead of "be", indicating the problem is actively creating challenges.

prove to be difficult

Emphasizes the difficulty aspect, highlighting the demanding nature of the situation.

stand as a constant test

Highlights that the "challenge" is like a "test" that is always present.

remain a hurdle

Uses "hurdle" instead of "challenge", suggesting an obstacle that needs to be overcome.

endure as a struggle

Emphasizes the effort required to deal with the ongoing difficulty, framing it as a "struggle".

constitute a lasting problem

Highlights the enduring nature of the problem by using "lasting".

carry on being problematic

Informal phrasing that highlights the troublesome nature of the situation.

sustain its complexity

Focuses on the intricate and complicated nature of the continuing challenge.

FAQs

How can I use "continue to be a challenge" in a sentence?

You can use "continue to be a challenge" to describe an ongoing difficulty. For example, "Securing funding will "continue to be a challenge" for the project despite previous fundraising efforts."

What are some alternatives to "continue to be a challenge"?

Alternatives include "remain a hurdle", "persist as an issue", or "prove to be difficult", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "continues to be a challenge" or "continue to be a challenge"?

"Continues to be a challenge" typically refers to a singular, ongoing issue, while "continue to be a challenge" can refer to multiple instances or a general trend. The correct choice depends on the specific context.

What does it mean when something "continues to be a challenge"?

It means that despite efforts or time passing, something remains difficult to overcome or resolve. It implies persistence and a need for ongoing effort.