profound challenge

USAGE SUMMARY

"profound challenge" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation or problem that is difficult and important to solve. For example: "The pandemic poses a profound challenge to healthcare systems across the globe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Achieving cooperation among competitors is a profound challenge.

Harvard University

That represents a profound challenge to Israel and its supporters.

The Guardian - Opinion

WHY, according to this article, does it represent "a profound challenge on several fronts"?

The New York Times

Climate change represents the most profound challenge humanity has ever collectively faced.

The New York Times

Wilson thought that Trump posed a profound challenge for the future of the Republican party.

The Guardian

For Mr. Cameron's government — indeed for Britain — the rapidly worsening situation presented a profound challenge on several fronts.

The New York Times

But five, and counting since the economic meltdown, present a more profound challenge to prevailing assumptions and policies.

The New York Times

Perhaps the most profound challenge to religion came with Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species (1859).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Developing robust policies for complex systems is a profound challenge because of their nonlinear and unpredictable nature.

Simulation Modelling Practice and Theory

This is posing a much more profound challenge: it's a novel in conceived form written on bespoke software".

The Guardian - Books

But there is a more profound challenge than whether we are a party of protest or a party of power.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "profound challenge", consider adding context that specifies who or what is facing the challenge and the potential consequences if the challenge is not met.

Common error

Avoid using "profound challenge" too frequently, especially in the same piece of writing. Overuse can dilute its impact. Instead, vary your language with synonyms or more specific descriptions of the problem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "profound challenge" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a situation or problem that is deeply significant and difficult to overcome. According to Ludwig AI, this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

20%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "profound challenge" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a significantly difficult situation with far-reaching implications. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and appropriate for formal and neutral contexts. It appears frequently in news, academic, and scientific writing, emphasizing the gravity and importance of the issue at hand. While effective, overuse can diminish its impact, so vary your language when possible. When you use the phrase, be precise, think of contexts and consequences, and use synonyms to avoid sounding repetitive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

critical problem

Replaces "challenge" with "problem", a common substitution, while "critical" indicates a high level of importance and urgency.

significant hurdle

Replaces "challenge" with "hurdle", emphasizing an obstacle to overcome and replaces "profound" with "significant" slightly reducing the intensity.

grave difficulty

Replaces "challenge" with "difficulty", generalizing the nature of the problem and "profound" with "grave" maintaining the seriousness.

serious obstacle

Substitutes "challenge" with "obstacle", highlighting the obstructive nature of the difficulty and "profound" with "serious" slightly reducing the intensity.

major impediment

Swaps "challenge" for "impediment", stressing hindrance, while "major" conveys a high degree of importance.

deep seated issue

Replaces "challenge" with "issue", softening the sense of direct confrontation, and "profound" with "deep seated" changing the imagery but maintaining seriousness.

complex predicament

Swaps "challenge" for "predicament", highlighting the puzzling nature of the situation, with "complex" indicating multifaceted difficulty.

formidable task

Changes "challenge" to "task", focusing on required effort, and "profound" replaced with "formidable" emphasizing difficulty and respect.

substantial adversity

Replaces "challenge" with "adversity", emphasizing the hardship involved and "profound" with "substantial" to denote magnitude.

far reaching implication

Shifts the focus from the challenge itself to its consequences, using "far reaching implication" to suggest broad and significant effects.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "profound challenge" in a sentence?

Use "profound challenge" to describe situations that are not only difficult but also carry significant implications. For example, "Climate change presents a "profound challenge" to global stability".

What are some alternatives to "profound challenge"?

You can use alternatives like "significant hurdle", "serious obstacle", or "critical problem" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "profound challenge" formal or informal?

"Profound challenge" is suitable for formal and neutral contexts. It is often used in academic, news, and professional writing.

What makes a challenge "profound"?

A "profound" challenge is one that goes beyond superficial difficulty and affects fundamental aspects of a situation, system, or belief. It typically has far-reaching consequences.