facing a challenge

USAGE SUMMARY

'facing a challenge' is an idiomatic phrase in written English that can be used in a variety of contexts.
For example: "John was feeling overwhelmed when he first started his new job, but he was determined to make a success of it by facing the challenge head-on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This leaves Radio 3 facing a challenge.

Independent

Why another?" He's certainly facing a challenge.

The New York Times - Books

Senator Hatch was not the only incumbent facing a challenge.

The New York Times

The euro zone is facing a challenge something like that.

The Economist

Yet Alba is facing a challenge on two fronts.

The Guardian

Florida quarterback Tim Tebow said Meyer was facing a challenge.

The New York Times - Sports

In facing a challenge like Muslim immigration, "exclusionary nationalism will not help".

The Economist

That effort is currently facing a challenge in the courts from the American beverage industry.

The New York Times

"We're not going into a presidential cycle without him facing a challenge," Mr. Weaver said.

The New York Times

A league facing a challenge suddenly found itself in a crisis.

The New York Times - Sports

Looking ahead to 2015, Ms. Johnson said she was facing a challenge.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone and formality of your writing. While "facing a challenge" is versatile, alternatives like "contending with adversity" may be more suitable for formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "facing a challenge" without specifying the nature of the challenge. For example, instead of saying "The company is facing a challenge", specify "The company is facing a challenge due to declining sales".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "facing a challenge" functions as a verbal phrase or participle phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a state of difficulty or confrontation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a common and grammatically correct construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

19%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "facing a challenge" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe a situation where someone or something is dealing with a difficulty. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts, including news, academic writing, and general communication. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly define the specific challenge to avoid vagueness. For more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "contending with adversity". Key sources using this phrase include The New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC, indicating its broad acceptance and usage in authoritative media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the midst of a struggle

Focuses on the ongoing effort and difficulty.

encountering an obstacle

Focuses more on the specific barrier rather than the overall situation.

navigating a difficult path

Implies a journey or process of overcoming obstacles.

grappling with a difficulty

Emphasizes the struggle and effort involved in dealing with the problem.

dealing with a setback

Specifically refers to an obstacle that hinders progress.

contending with adversity

Highlights the negative and potentially harsh nature of the situation.

experiencing a trial

Suggests a test or period of hardship.

up against a tough situation

More informal and emphasizes the difficulty of the circumstances.

undergoing an ordeal

Implies a painful or horrific experience.

in a problematic situation

Describes the state rather than the act of confronting something.

FAQs

How can I use "facing a challenge" in a sentence?

You can use "facing a challenge" to describe a situation where someone or something is dealing with difficulties. For example, "The project team is "facing a challenge" to meet the deadline due to unforeseen circumstances".

What can I say instead of "facing a challenge"?

You can use alternatives like "encountering an obstacle", "grappling with a difficulty", or "contending with adversity" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "faces a challenge" instead of "facing a challenge"?

Yes, both are correct. "Faces a challenge" is the third-person singular present tense form, while "facing a challenge" is often used in continuous tenses or as part of a longer phrase, like "is facing a challenge".

What is the difference between "facing a challenge" and "overcoming a challenge"?

"Facing a challenge" describes the state of dealing with a difficult situation, while "overcoming a challenge" implies successfully resolving that difficulty.