formidable challenges

USAGE SUMMARY

"formidable challenges" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to difficult tasks, obstacles, or problems. For example: Our team is facing some formidable challenges as we work to meet our tight deadline.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The school faces formidable challenges.

The New York Times

But far more formidable challenges lie ahead.

The New York Times

The effort is likely to face formidable challenges.

The New York Times - Tech

The "Eroica" poses formidable challenges for a young orchestra.

The New York Times - Arts

New discoveries face formidable challenges in the marketplace.

The New Yorker

The Times faces formidable challenges, to be sure.

The Guardian

Mastering the simplest of human activities remain formidable challenges.

The Guardian

But for all the signs that the financial sector is back, formidable challenges remain.

The New York Times

Even separate but coordinated systems, the model experts think more likely, pose formidable challenges.

The New York Times

"Iraq is still full of challenges, and they are formidable challenges".

The New York Times

Given the formidable challenges facing the Ethiopians, he said, "Perhaps it takes longer".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "formidable challenges", ensure the context clearly indicates the entity or group facing these challenges. This enhances clarity and impact in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "formidable challenges" for minor or easily resolvable issues. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact when addressing truly significant obstacles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formidable challenges" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "formidable" modifies the noun "challenges". It commonly acts as the object of a verb or the subject complement, describing the nature of the difficulties encountered. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is valid and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "formidable challenges" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe significant difficulties. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Its formality leans towards neutral, making it appropriate for professional and academic contexts. While alternatives like "daunting obstacles" or "immense difficulties" exist, the original phrase maintains a strong presence across various authoritative sources like The New York Times, The Guardian and BBC. Understanding its proper usage and context ensures clear and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immense difficulties

Replaces 'formidable' with 'immense' to highlight the considerable scale of the difficulties.

considerable difficulties

Substitute 'formidable challenges' with 'considerable difficulties', highlighting the extent and impact of the problems.

daunting obstacles

Replaces 'challenges' with 'obstacles' and 'formidable' with 'daunting', highlighting the discouraging nature of the difficulties.

severe difficulties

Replaces 'formidable' with 'severe' to emphasize the seriousness and intensity of the difficulties.

significant hurdles

Substitutes 'challenges' with 'hurdles' and 'formidable' with 'significant', focusing on the obstacles that must be overcome.

substantial obstacles

Uses 'substantial' to replace 'formidable', focusing on the considerable size or importance of the obstacles.

major difficulties

Replaces 'formidable challenges' with a more straightforward expression, emphasizing the magnitude of the problems.

serious obstacles

Uses 'serious' in place of 'formidable' to underscore the gravity of the obstacles.

complex problems

Replacing 'formidable' with 'complex' to shift focus on the complicated nature of challenges.

tough problems

Employs simpler language, replacing 'formidable challenges' with 'tough problems', indicating difficult issues to resolve.

FAQs

How can I use "formidable challenges" in a sentence?

You can use "formidable challenges" to describe significant difficulties. For instance, "The company faces "significant hurdles" as it enters a new market."

What are some alternatives to "formidable challenges"?

Alternatives include "daunting obstacles", "major difficulties", or "immense difficulties", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "formidable challenges" in informal writing?

While "formidable challenges" is generally suitable for formal and professional contexts, simpler terms like "tough problems" may be more appropriate for informal writing.

What makes a challenge "formidable"?

A challenge is "formidable" when it presents significant difficulty due to its complexity, scale, or the resources required to overcome it. It's more than just a simple problem; it requires substantial effort and strategic planning to address.