formidable life

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formidable life" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a life that is impressive, inspiring, or filled with challenges that evoke admiration. Example: "She led a formidable life, overcoming numerous obstacles to achieve her dreams and inspire others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Gloria was a leader in the community development world and used her formidable life force to build organizations that made life better for thousands of New Yorkers-those who were homeless or lived in deplorable conditions or needed a hand up to get on their feet.

The New York Times

In a role that could be played with mere ranting and raving, he instead chooses a halting, fidgety mode, presenting us with a man who can't quite grasp his own thoughts or hold on to those waning moments of his formidable life.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"The earliest humans were endowed with a formidable mental life, but had to wait patiently for the arrival of a new tool, the gift of language".

The New York Times - Books

He sustained a formidable social life, going to dinners or a dance two or three times each week, joining friends for weekend hikes or gallery visits, and entertaining at home, where he liked to serve the illicit, Prohibition-era wine he had fermented and aged in the cellar Château Quatre-Vingts Treize.

The New Yorker

And he conveyed Stephen Hawking's intelligence and formidable love of life.

Los Angeles Times

After a decade as the go-to guy for directors in need of a sweetly inept alter ego – Roger Dodger, The Squid and the Whale, Adventureland – he's suddenly, at 27, playing a rather more formidable real-life character: Mark Zuckerberg, in David Fincher's The Social Network, a fictionalised take on Facebook's birth and subsequent internal fallout.

The Guardian - Film

His mother, Ellen Quinlan O'Neill, became addicted to morphine while recovering from Eugene's birth and thereafter assumed the character of a matronly victim of life, formidable in her helplessness.

The New York Times

She was a highly intelligent, decisive woman who was a major power broker in several parts of Europe – as formidable in real life as the character Katharine Hepburn created when she played her in the 1968 film The Lion in Winter.

Independent

He assumes his career in business has prepared him to deal with the most formidable matters of life and death.

Los Angeles Times

Despite these biological possibilities, there are formidable obstacles to life on Titan, and any analogy to Earth is inexact.

Wikipedia

The challenge of conveying, on screen, the special intensity of online life is formidable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "formidable life", ensure the context provides specific examples of the challenges, achievements, or impact that make the life worthy of such a description. Provide concrete details to support the claim.

Common error

Avoid using "formidable life" as a generic compliment. If you cannot identify specific instances of resilience, intelligence, or impact, a simpler term like "interesting life" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formidable life" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "formidable" modifies the noun "life". It is often used to describe the quality or nature of someone's existence, highlighting aspects of strength, impact, or resilience. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "formidable life" is a grammatically correct and meaningful expression used to describe a life marked by significant challenges, achievements, or impact. While not frequently used, its presence in reputable sources like The New York Times and The New Yorker confirms its validity. Ludwig AI indicates it is usable in written English. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context provides specific examples substantiating its usage, avoiding generalizations. Alternatives such as "impressive life" or "extraordinary life" may be more appropriate depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impressive life

Substitutes 'formidable' with 'impressive', highlighting the admirable qualities of the life.

extraordinary life

Replaces 'formidable' with 'extraordinary', highlighting the unique and exceptional aspects of the life.

powerful life

Replaces 'formidable' with 'powerful', focusing on the influence and strength exerted throughout the life.

monumental life

Changes 'formidable' to 'monumental', stressing the significant historical impact of the life.

gigantic life

Replaces 'formidable' with 'gigantic', emphasizing the scale and scope of the life.

huge life

Substitutes 'formidable' with 'huge', emphasizing the impact and magnitude of the life.

enormous life

Substitutes 'formidable' with 'enormous', focusing on the scale and grandness of the life.

arduous life

Changes 'formidable' to 'arduous', emphasizing the difficulties and challenges faced.

overwhelming life

Replaces 'formidable' with 'overwhelming', highlighting the intense or unmanageable aspects of the life.

terrible life

Replaces 'formidable' with 'terrible' life, focusing on negative aspects and hardship.

FAQs

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

You can use "formidable life" to describe someone who has overcome significant challenges or achieved great things. For example: "She led a formidable life, facing adversity with unwavering courage."

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

Alternatives include "impressive life", "remarkable life", or "extraordinary life", depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Is it correct to say someone lived a "formidable life"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and understandable, especially when describing someone who has demonstrated great strength, resilience, or achievement. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is usable in written English.

What distinguishes a "formidable life" from an "interesting life"?

A "formidable life" implies a life marked by significant challenges and impressive achievements, whereas an "interesting life" simply suggests a life that is engaging or noteworthy.