formidable hurdles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formidable hurdles" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe significant challenges or obstacles that are difficult to overcome. Example: "The team faced formidable hurdles in their quest to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

There were still formidable hurdles.

The New Yorker

But their plan faces formidable hurdles.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

But these proposals would require significant state funds and face formidable hurdles, particularly during a state budget crisis.

The New York Times

But the format presents formidable hurdles for customers and restaurants, enough to cause us to stop and wonder how many more meals like this we need.

The New York Times - Food

But the expansion faces a series of formidable hurdles if it is to be delivered on schedule by 2018-2020 – and may never be built.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 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

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

The New York Times

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

The Guardian - Opinion

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

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "formidable hurdles" when you want to emphasize not just the existence of challenges, but also their significant size and difficulty. For instance, when discussing project roadblocks or strategic challenges, this phrase adds weight and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "formidable hurdles" for minor inconveniences or easily solvable problems. This phrase is best reserved for truly significant challenges; using it too often can dilute its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formidable hurdles" functions primarily as a noun phrase that acts as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It is used to describe challenges that are perceived as large and difficult to overcome. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "formidable hurdles" is a commonly used phrase that describes significant and challenging obstacles. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and it appears most frequently in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. When you want to stress the magnitude of a challenge, using "formidable hurdles" can be very effective. Remember to reserve this phrase for genuinely significant obstacles to avoid diluting its impact. Alternatives such as "significant challenges" or "daunting barriers" can be used to provide variety, but "formidable hurdles" stands out for its emphasis on the substantial nature of the difficulties involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant challenges

Emphasizes the difficulty and importance of the challenges.

major obstacles

Focuses on the obstructive nature and size of the barriers.

daunting barriers

Highlights the intimidating aspect of the barriers.

serious impediments

Stresses the restrictive and hindering nature of the obstacles.

tough challenges

A more informal way to express the difficulty of the challenges.

major setbacks

Focuses on potential delays or regressions caused by the obstacles.

grave difficulties

Emphasizes the seriousness and weight of the difficulties.

substantial barriers

Highlights the size and importance of the barriers.

onerous obstacles

Stresses the burdensome nature of the obstacles.

insurmountable barriers

Indicates that the barriers may be impossible to overcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "formidable hurdles" to describe significant challenges or obstacles that are difficult to overcome. For example, "The company faces "formidable hurdles" in expanding its market share."

What's a good alternative to "formidable hurdles"?

Alternatives include "significant challenges", "major obstacles", or "daunting barriers" depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "formidable hurdle" or "formidable hurdles" more correct?

"Formidable hurdle" refers to a single, significant obstacle, while "formidable hurdles" refers to multiple such obstacles. Use the plural form when referring to more than one challenge.

What makes "formidable hurdles" different from "difficult challenges"?

"Formidable hurdles" suggests a greater sense of scale and difficulty compared to "difficult challenges". "Formidable" implies the obstacles are substantial and may require considerable effort to overcome.