only half of the challenge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only half of the challenge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a situation or task has multiple components, and what has been addressed so far is just a portion of the overall difficulty. Example: "Completing the initial research was only half of the challenge; the real work begins with the implementation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Winning elections was, however, only half of the challenge.

Independent

But that is only half of the challenge.

The New York Times

Crushing the criminal cartels in Africa is only half of the challenge, demand in consumer countries must also be choked.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

All 11 vaccinated macaques contained the acute-phase infection with blood viral loads below the level of detection between 4 and 10 weeks postchallenge (pc), following a transient but marginal peak of viral replication at 2 weeks in only half of the challenged animals.

Plosone

While the company is still planning to ship on time, that was only half of the launch challenge.

TechCrunch

Many studies have shown that fluid responsiveness, which is a normal physiologic condition, exists in only half of the patients receiving a fluid challenge in intensive care units [47].

Annals of Intensive Care

Only half of the IM- or IN-vaccinated and challenged animals excreted virus, with titer values of 102.6 to 105.5 TCID50/ml during a 2 day period.

BMC Veterinary Research

For systemic inflammation, only half of the control group mice survived at 26 h after LPS challenge, but approximately 75% of mice in the HSOE group were alive at the same time point.

BioMed Research International

He kept only half of the profits.

The New York Times

This is only half of the story.

The Guardian

Only half of the words come through.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "only half of the challenge", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what constitutes the other, unaddressed half. This provides context and emphasizes the scope of the remaining work.

Common error

Avoid using "only half of the challenge" when the actual progress is significantly less than 50%. Exaggerating the completed portion can mislead your audience about the true state of the task.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only half of the challenge" functions as a qualifier, specifying that a particular accomplishment or effort represents just a portion of a larger, more complex undertaking. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and readily understood.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "only half of the challenge" is a grammatically correct and understandable expression used to convey that a certain accomplishment represents just a portion of a larger task. Ludwig AI analysis of several sources indicates that this phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, serving to set expectations and emphasize the work that remains. Related phrases include "just a portion of the difficulty" and "not the whole story". When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly specifies the unaddressed portion to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just a portion of the difficulty

Emphasizes the limited scope addressed so far, highlighting the remaining complexity.

merely a part of the problem

Underscores that only a fraction of the overarching issue has been resolved.

only a fraction of the task

Focuses on the incomplete stage of a specific task or project.

just the tip of the iceberg

Implies that the visible part is small compared to what's hidden.

a small piece of the puzzle

Highlights that what has been done is a small contribution to a larger understanding.

not the whole story

Indicates that crucial information or perspectives are missing.

an initial step in the process

Stresses that it is just the beginning of a sequence of actions.

a limited aspect of the issue

Suggests a narrow focus that doesn't cover the entire scope.

partially addressed the difficulties

Focuses more on the act of tackling difficulties, but incompletely.

one facet of the overall mission

Highlights that this is one contributing aspect among many within a larger task.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "only half of the challenge"?

You can use alternatives such as "just a portion of the difficulty", "merely a part of the problem", or "not the whole story" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "only half of the challenge"?

Yes, "only half of the challenge" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate that a task or situation has multiple parts, and only one part has been addressed.

What does "only half of the challenge" imply?

It implies that while some progress has been made or some aspect has been addressed, a significant portion of the task or problem remains to be completed or resolved. It highlights the incomplete nature of the current state.

What's the difference between "only half of the challenge" and "only half of the battle"?

While both phrases convey incompleteness, "only half of the challenge" is more general and applies to any task or situation. "Only half of the battle" specifically refers to situations involving competition, conflict or struggle.