formidable hurdle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formidable hurdle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant obstacle or challenge that is difficult to overcome. Example: "The team faced a formidable hurdle in securing funding for their project, but they remained determined to find a solution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

It has proved to be Detroit's most formidable hurdle.

The New York Times - Sports

But parsing and categorizing language, with its ambiguity and subtlety, remains a formidable hurdle for computers.

The New York Times

A formidable hurdle to increasing prosperity is the strong cultural aversion to growth in contemporary Britain.

The Guardian - Opinion

Of course another formidable hurdle is how difficult it is to predict the dynamics of a complex group.

The New York Times

At that point, Mayor Philip A. Amicone and other supporters believed that the most formidable hurdle had been cleared.

The New York Times

Were I to try to return to the industry I would be faced with this formidable hurdle.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

There were still formidable hurdles.

The New Yorker

But their plan faces formidable hurdles.

The New York Times

And they all require the government to surmount a number of formidable hurdles.

Harvard Business Review

Regulatory thickets, technical complexity and the public's skittishness have proven to be formidable hurdles.

The New York Times - Tech

Companies trying to translate Internet successes onto television have faced formidable hurdles in the past.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "formidable hurdle" when you want to emphasize that a challenge is not only significant but also likely to be difficult to overcome due to its inherent nature.

Common error

While "formidable hurdle" is appropriate for formal and professional writing, consider simpler alternatives like "big challenge" or "tough problem" in informal settings to avoid sounding overly verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formidable hurdle" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys a significant obstacle or challenge.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "formidable hurdle" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a significant challenge. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, with notable presence in science and formal business settings, it conveys a sense of difficulty and importance. While versatile, it is more suited for formal and professional communication, with simpler alternatives available for informal use. Semantically related phrases include "major obstacle", "significant challenge", and "daunting obstacle", each offering a slightly different nuance. When using "formidable hurdle", writers should aim to emphasize not just the significance but also the difficult nature of the challenge being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

daunting obstacle

Emphasizes the intimidating nature of the hurdle, similar to "formidable".

major obstacle

Replaces "formidable" with "major", indicating a substantial but perhaps less daunting challenge.

substantial obstacle

Similar to "major obstacle" but slightly stronger in conveying size.

considerable impediment

Uses a more formal term, "impediment", to denote the obstacle.

significant challenge

Substitutes both words with broader terms, focusing on the importance rather than the difficulty.

serious barrier

Highlights the restrictive aspect of the "hurdle", using "barrier".

difficult challenge

A more straightforward alternative, replacing "formidable" with "difficult".

notable difficulty

Focuses on the "difficulty" itself, highlighting its prominence.

tough problem

Shifts the focus to a "problem" rather than a "hurdle", implying a more complex situation.

onerous task

Shifts the focus to the effort required, framing it as a difficult "task".

FAQs

What does "formidable hurdle" mean?

A "formidable hurdle" is a significant obstacle or challenge that is difficult to overcome. The word "formidable" emphasizes the size or intensity of the hurdle.

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

You can use "formidable hurdle" to describe any situation where there is a significant challenge. For example: "Securing funding proved to be a "formidable hurdle" for the project."

What can I say instead of "formidable hurdle"?

You can use alternatives like "major obstacle", "significant challenge", or "daunting obstacle" depending on the context.

Is "formidable hurdle" a formal expression?

Yes, "formidable hurdle" leans toward formal and professional usage. In more casual contexts, consider using phrases like "big challenge" or "tough problem".