is a challenge to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is a challenge to" is a perfectly acceptable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you're talking about a task or situation that is difficult to accomplish or overcome. For example: "Learning a new language is a challenge to many people."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is a challenge to lose weight.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is a challenge to them.

The New York Times

It is a challenge to the party.

The Guardian

This kind of attack is a challenge to the world.

The New York Times

Everything is a challenge to get rid of — roaches, flies.

The New York Times

"It is a challenge, to be honest," admits Jón.

The Guardian

But Mr. Tillinghast's style is a challenge to categorize.

The New York Times

Goaltending, Palmateer said, is a challenge to eliminate mistakes.

The New York Times - Sports

All of which is a challenge to artists.

The Guardian - Arts

There is a challenge to face, of combating organised crime".

The Guardian

However, it is a challenge to determine such a threshold.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is a challenge to" to frame situations requiring significant effort, skill, or innovation to overcome. It sets a tone of respect for the difficulty involved.

Common error

Avoid using "is a challenge to" for tasks that are merely inconvenient. Reserve it for situations presenting genuine difficulty or complexity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is a challenge to" functions as a predicative expression, linking a subject to a state of being challenging. Ludwig examples show it used to describe situations, concepts, or tasks that require significant effort or skill. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is a challenge to" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that something presents significant difficulty or complexity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in Science and News & Media as confirmed by Ludwig examples. When using the phrase, remember to reserve it for situations that genuinely require effort and skill, and consider using alternatives like "presents a challenge to" or "poses a problem for" for variety. With a high expert rating and frequent use in authoritative sources, "is a challenge to" remains a valuable tool for expressing difficulty in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

presents a challenge to

Replaces "is" with "presents", emphasizing the act of posing a challenge.

represents an obstacle for

Replaces "challenge" with "obstacle", emphasizing the hindering aspect.

poses a problem for

Substitutes "challenge" with "problem", highlighting the difficulty aspect.

creates difficulty for

Focuses on the creation of difficulty rather than directly stating a challenge.

is difficult for

Simplifies the expression to directly state the difficulty.

tests the limits of

Emphasizes the testing or straining aspect of a challenge.

demands effort from

Highlights the need for effort to overcome the challenge.

stretches the capacity of

Highlights how the challenge may extend or strain one's abilities or resources.

requires overcoming

Focuses on the act of overcoming the challenge.

calls for ingenuity from

Indicates that the challenge requires cleverness and innovation to solve.

FAQs

How can I use "is a challenge to" in a sentence?

Use "is a challenge to" when describing a task, situation, or concept that requires significant effort or skill to overcome or understand. For example, "Quantum physics is a challenge to common sense."

What are some alternatives to "is a challenge to"?

You can use alternatives like "presents a challenge to", "poses a problem for", or "creates difficulty for" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "is a challenge to" in formal writing?

Yes, "is a challenge to" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to express that something is difficult or demanding.

What's the difference between "is a challenge to" and "is a threat to"?

"Is a challenge to" implies difficulty that can be overcome with effort, while "is a threat to" suggests potential harm or danger. For instance, "Climate change is a challenge to our way of life" versus "Climate change is a threat to coastal cities."