difficult but achievable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult but achievable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a task or goal that presents challenges but is still possible to accomplish. Example: "Completing a marathon is difficult but achievable with the right training and dedication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

We believe these goals are difficult but achievable with the right leadership and the right approach from the UK".

The Guardian

We need inspired leadership calling for billions of dollars to be spent on a difficult but achievable goal: to find technological fixes to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions.

MIT Technology Review

The authority said the settlement for 2011/12, requiring £40m to be saved, was "difficult but achievable".

BBC

Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona told the news conference the reform would be "very difficult, but achievable".

BBC

Admiral Lord West, former head of the UK's Royal Navy, has described the proposals to destroy the boats as "difficult but achievable".

BBC

Authority chairman Bishop Derek Webley said on Thursday: "The settlement for policing for 2011/12, which requires us to save £40m, is difficult but achievable.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Inasmuch as average degrees of polymerization for commercial polymers frequently are in the range of five thousand, a simulation of molar or mass distributions as a function of degree of polymerization and time is a difficult, but an achievable task.

Chemical Engineering Science

These are really hard, but achievable goals.

Forbes

Nanoparticles suspending after irradiation became also more difficult, but it was properly achievable by adding PVA (1%) and ethanol (10%) into the dispersing medium.

International Journal of Pharmaceutics

Pacala and Socolow (2004) made many people aware of this need, and presented a vision where success appeared difficult, yet achievable.

The New York Times

It's ambitious but achievable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "difficult but achievable" to convey a sense of optimism and motivation when describing a challenging goal. This phrasing acknowledges the hurdles involved while emphasizing the possibility of success, inspiring confidence and encouraging perseverance.

Common error

While "difficult but achievable" is a useful expression, avoid overusing it in your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms or rephrasing to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony. Consider alternatives like "challenging yet attainable" or "tough but possible" to express similar ideas with fresh language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult but achievable" functions as an adjectival phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to describe a task or goal, highlighting its challenging nature while simultaneously emphasizing its attainability. This suggests a balanced perspective, acknowledging the effort required while instilling a sense of hope and possibility.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

33%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult but achievable" serves as a versatile descriptor for goals and tasks that present considerable challenges while still being attainable. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in diverse contexts, predominantly within News & Media and Scientific domains. Its function is primarily to motivate and inspire action by framing challenges as surmountable, conveying a sense of optimism. While its register remains mostly neutral, it's essential to avoid overusing this phrase and consider alternative expressions to maintain freshness and reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging yet attainable

Replaces 'difficult' with 'challenging' and 'achievable' with 'attainable', maintaining the core meaning.

tough but possible

Substitutes simpler synonyms for both adjectives, making it slightly less formal.

arduous but feasible

Uses more formal vocabulary to convey a similar meaning, emphasizing the effort required.

demanding but realistic

Focuses on the practical aspect of the goal, highlighting its grounded nature despite its difficulty.

ambitious yet practical

Highlights the aspirational nature of the goal alongside its feasibility.

complex but manageable

Emphasizes the intricate nature of the task while assuring it can be controlled.

hard but accomplishable

Replaces 'achievable' with 'accomplishable', adding a slightly different nuance to the possibility of success.

testing but viable

Uses 'testing' to describe the difficulty and 'viable' to express the achievability, changing the tone slightly.

formidable but within reach

Emphasizes the imposing nature of the challenge while assuring it's still attainable.

grueling yet obtainable

Conveys a sense of intense effort required while still suggesting that the goal is achievable.

FAQs

How can I use "difficult but achievable" in a sentence?

The phrase "difficult but achievable" is typically used to describe a goal or task that presents significant challenges but is still within the realm of possibility with effort and determination. For example, "Reaching carbon neutrality by 2050 is a "difficult but achievable" goal if we invest in renewable energy and sustainable practices."

What phrases are similar to "difficult but achievable"?

Several phrases convey a similar meaning to "difficult but achievable". Some alternatives include "challenging yet attainable", "tough but possible", and "arduous but feasible". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is "difficult but achievable" too cliché?

While "difficult but achievable" is a common phrase, it's not inherently cliché. However, overuse can diminish its impact. To maintain freshness in your writing, consider using synonyms or rephrasing the idea. For instance, instead of saying something is "difficult but achievable", you could say it "presents significant hurdles but remains within reach".

What's the difference between "difficult but achievable" and "impossible"?

"Difficult but achievable" acknowledges the presence of challenges but emphasizes the possibility of success. "Impossible", on the other hand, indicates that a task or goal is completely unattainable, regardless of effort. The key difference lies in the belief that success is still possible with the former, whereas the latter suggests no possibility of success.