pose a formidable challenge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pose a formidable challenge" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation or task that is difficult or demanding to overcome. Example: "The new regulations pose a formidable challenge for small businesses trying to comply with the updated standards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Djokovic will certainly pose a formidable challenge for a player who might not be completely healthy.

The New York Times - Sports

Any change would take years, and would pose a "formidable challenge".

The New Yorker

Any such undertaking would pose a formidable challenge for leaders today.

The New York Times

Not on a classic golf course that will pose a formidable challenge.

The New York Times - Sports

A strong commission that worked closely with a strong parliament could pose a formidable challenge to the combined authority of national governments.

The Economist

Sri Lanka's first four-star general, it seems, is in a dither.Many analysts feel that if he does decide to contest the election, General Fonseka will pose a formidable challenge to Mr Rajapaksa.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Lego posed a formidable challenge: being essentially curveless, it seldom bothered with anything as fancy as aerodynamics.

The New Yorker

Modernising China now poses a formidable challenge to the west - more calibrated than the one presented by radical Islamists.

The Guardian - Books

Schilling will join Johnson in posing a formidable challenge to any team facing them in the same series -- a postseason series, for example.

The New York Times - Sports

Charles II, while living in exile in France, is thought to have enlisted Salmasius to compose a Latin tract intended for a Continental audience that would indict the Englishmen who tried and executed Charles I. Universally acknowledged as a reputable scholar, Salmasius posed a formidable challenge to Milton, whose task was to refute his argument.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The measure, which was designed to discourage refugees from roaming Europe before choosing where to settle, posed a formidable challenge for asylum seekers, who often desired to live in one of the prosperous nations of Northern Europe, and thus had to find ways to traverse the countries in between without being noticed by the authorities.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance the impact of "pose a formidable challenge", consider coupling it with specific details about the nature of the challenge. Describing why the challenge is formidable adds depth and provides a more nuanced understanding for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "pose a formidable challenge" when the situation is only moderately difficult. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact, making it less effective in truly challenging scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pose a formidable challenge" functions as a verb phrase, where "pose" acts as a verb and "a formidable challenge" serves as its object. It describes the act of presenting a substantial difficulty or obstacle. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

42%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pose a formidable challenge" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe situations or tasks that present significant difficulties. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in various contexts, including news, science, and business. While alternatives such as "present a major obstacle" or "constitute a significant hurdle" exist, "pose a formidable challenge" effectively conveys the scale and scope of the difficulty. It's crucial to use this phrase judiciously, avoiding overuse in situations that are only moderately challenging, to maintain its impact. Remember to clearly define the context of the challenge to fully convey its significance to the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

present a major obstacle

Focuses on the obstructive aspect of the challenge, emphasizing the difficulty in proceeding.

constitute a significant hurdle

Highlights the challenging aspect of overcoming an obstacle, suggesting a need for effort and strategy.

create a substantial difficulty

Emphasizes the creation of a problem that requires considerable effort to resolve.

represent a considerable test

Shifts the focus to the evaluative aspect of the challenge, implying a need to prove one's abilities.

offer a serious impediment

Focuses on the hindering aspect of the challenge, suggesting it obstructs progress.

involve a tough undertaking

Highlights the demanding nature of the task, emphasizing the effort and commitment required.

demand significant effort

Shifts focus to the amount of exertion required by the challenge.

present a stern test

Conveys the challenge as a rigorous examination or trial.

engender a tough situation

Emphasizes that the situation is complex and not easily resolved.

create a notable hardship

Highlights the difficulty and suffering caused by the challenge.

FAQs

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

You can use "pose a formidable challenge" to describe a difficult situation or task that requires significant effort to overcome. For example, "The new regulations "pose a formidable challenge" for small businesses."

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

You can use alternatives like "present a major obstacle", "constitute a significant hurdle", or "create a substantial difficulty" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "pose a formidable challenge to"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "pose a formidable challenge to". The preposition "to" indicates who or what is being challenged. For example, "The economic downturn "poses a formidable challenge" to the government's fiscal policies."

What is the difference between "pose a formidable challenge" and "present a challenge"?

"Pose a formidable challenge" implies a significantly greater level of difficulty and complexity compared to "present a challenge". "Formidable" emphasizes the substantial effort and resources required to overcome the challenge, while "present a challenge" is a more general statement of difficulty.