it was really a challenge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was really a challenge" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or task that was difficult or required significant effort to overcome. Example: "Completing the marathon was really a challenge, but I felt accomplished once I crossed the finish line."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"It was really a challenge to our team to play dominant football in all three phases," L.S.U.

The New York Times - Sports

"I understood from the beginning that it was really a challenge, because there was no medical school," he said.

The New York Times

"There are no fakes but lots of different skins — and it was really a challenge to be light," said the designer, who also showed updates on the tote bags that the late Nicola Trussardi brought into fashion, along with powerful sportswear under the logo, now transformed from 1911 to Trussardi 100.

The New York Times

It was really a challenge for me to start working on that.

Duke University

It was really a challenge on a budget like this to make a period-looking show that didn't have all the wrong things in the background". Dante also ran into a problems with the vintage cars.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"In fact it is really a challenge of efficacy.

The Economist

I mean, it's really a challenge for Europe's future," he said.

The New Yorker

"It's really a challenge to understand why these things are not wreaking havoc on the plant," Dr. Herre said.

The New York Times - Science

"We've really got to figure out how to solve that problem, and it's really a challenge to the leadership.

The New York Times

"It is really a challenge in the U.S.," Mr. Heins said at the meeting, which was webcast from the University of Waterloo in Ontario.

The New York Times - Tech

"I have the feeling I could do much better in other things in life than tennis, but in tennis, it's really a challenge.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was really a challenge" to introduce a situation or task that required significant effort or skill to overcome. It can effectively set the stage for discussing the difficulties encountered and the strategies employed to address them.

Common error

While "really" emphasizes the difficulty, overuse can weaken your writing. Consider stronger adjectives or adverbs to convey the magnitude of the challenge more effectively. For example, instead of "it was really a challenge", try "it was a formidable challenge".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was really a challenge" functions as a statement expressing that a particular task or situation presented significant difficulty or required substantial effort. As Ludwig AI indicates, this is a correct and usable expression in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was really a challenge" serves to express that a task or situation involved significant difficulty. While grammatically correct and commonly used, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, the intensity can be adjusted depending on the context. Formal settings may benefit from stronger alternatives like "formidable" or "significant". Predominantly found in news and media, this phrase effectively introduces the concept of difficulty, often setting the stage for discussing solutions or outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it posed a significant difficulty

Replaces "challenge" with "difficulty" and uses "posed" to emphasize the imposition of the difficulty.

it presented a tough obstacle

Substitutes "challenge" with "obstacle" and "really" with "tough", highlighting the obstructive nature of the situation.

it demanded considerable effort

Focuses on the effort required, rather than the nature of the task itself.

it proved to be quite demanding

Emphasizes the demanding nature of the task or situation.

it required substantial dedication

Highlights the dedication needed to overcome the challenge.

it involved overcoming many hurdles

Focuses on the act of overcoming obstacles.

it was no walk in the park

An idiomatic expression indicating that something was not easy.

it pushed me to my limits

Personalizes the challenge by focusing on the individual's experience of being pushed.

it tested my abilities greatly

Emphasizes the testing aspect of the challenge.

it stretched my capabilities

Highlights the expansion of one's capabilities as a result of the challenge.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was really a challenge" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "it presented a significant challenge", "it required considerable effort", or "it demanded substantial resources".

What's a more vivid way to describe that "it was really a challenge"?

To add impact, you could say "it tested my limits", "it pushed me to the brink", or "it stretched my capabilities".

Is it redundant to say "it was really a challenge"?

While not inherently redundant, the impact of "really" can diminish with overuse. Ensure it adds meaningful emphasis. If the challenge is already evident, "it was a challenge" may suffice.

How does the context affect the best alternative to "it was really a challenge"?

The ideal alternative depends on what you want to emphasize. If it's about effort, use "it required significant effort". If it's about obstacles, try "it presented a formidable obstacle". If it's about testing abilities, say "it tested my abilities".