is a formidable challenge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is a formidable challenge" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a task or situation that is difficult and requires significant effort or skill to overcome. Example: "Completing the project within the tight deadline is a formidable challenge for our team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But crafting great science journalism is a formidable challenge.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Predicting an individual's behavior is a formidable challenge for neuroimaging.

Nature

For the Colombian military, that is a formidable challenge.

The New York Times

However, manually determining and performing useful refactorings is a formidable challenge, as stated in the literature.

Information and Software Technology

Yet, overcoming patient selection forces is a formidable challenge for observational studies comparing treatment groups.

European Urology

It is a formidable challenge, even for someone who has done just about everything.

The New York Times - Sports

That is a formidable challenge because insulin is needed to maintain normal blood sugar.

The New York Times

Selective formation of C2 over the C1 products, however, is a formidable challenge on all electrocatalysts known in literature.

Catalysis Today

Unraveling the intricacies of these enigmatic proteases is a formidable challenge that requires novel insights and approaches.

Cornell University

The preclinical development of drugs to treat the cognitive symptoms of neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders is a formidable challenge.

Trends in Pharmacological Sciences

It is a formidable challenge, and the very future of European Jewry will depend on its success.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is a formidable challenge" to describe situations where significant effort, skill, and resources are required to overcome difficulties. It conveys a sense of respect for the difficulty involved.

Common error

Avoid using "formidable" too frequently in the same paragraph or document. This can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your vocabulary by using synonyms such as "daunting", "challenging", or "significant".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is a formidable challenge" functions as a predicate nominative, where "challenge" is the noun that renames the subject. It is used to describe a situation, task, or problem as being difficult to overcome, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

33%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is a formidable challenge" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a task or situation that presents significant difficulty. As evidenced by the numerous examples provided by Ludwig, it appears across diverse contexts, including scientific research, news reporting, academic discussions, and formal business communications. The phrase carries a neutral to formal tone, making it suitable for professional and academic discourse. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability, reinforcing its widespread acceptance in the English language. When writing, it's best to use it to highlight situations requiring substantial effort and resources while avoiding overuse of "formidable" to maintain writing clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is a significant obstacle

Replaces "formidable challenge" with "significant obstacle", focusing on the impediment it presents.

is a substantial hurdle

Substitutes "formidable challenge" with "substantial hurdle", highlighting the obstacle aspect.

is a major impediment

Similar to "significant obstacle", but uses "impediment" to underscore the hindering effect.

is no easy feat

Understates the difficulty, implying that it is certainly not simple or straightforward.

is a considerable undertaking

Replaces "challenge" with "undertaking", emphasizing the scale and effort required.

is a demanding task

Focuses on the demanding nature of the task, rather than explicitly stating it as a challenge.

is an uphill battle

Emphasizes the struggle and difficulty involved, suggesting resistance or adversity.

is a tough proposition

Replaces "formidable challenge" with "tough proposition", indicating a difficult task to consider.

is a Herculean task

Uses "Herculean" to emphasize the immense effort required, drawing a comparison to the labors of Hercules.

is a steep learning curve

Focuses on the learning aspect, implying that significant effort is needed to acquire the necessary skills.

FAQs

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

The phrase "is a formidable challenge" is used to describe something that is difficult to achieve or overcome. For example, "Completing this project on time "is a formidable challenge" given the limited resources."

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

You can use alternatives such as "is a significant obstacle", "is a major hurdle", or "is a demanding task" depending on the specific context.

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

Yes, "is a formidable challenge" is suitable for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to describe a difficult undertaking. However, ensure the tone matches the overall formality of your piece.

What makes a challenge "formidable"?

A challenge is considered "formidable" when it presents significant difficulties due to its complexity, scale, or the resources required to overcome it. It implies that the challenge requires considerable effort and skill.