ran into challenges

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ran into challenges" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe encountering difficulties or obstacles while attempting to achieve something. Example: "During the project, we ran into challenges that required us to rethink our approach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"We very quickly ran into challenges with the different entities carrying out their responsibilities under that framework," said Garret Graves, the director of the governor's office of coastal activities, citing a lack of urgency and decisiveness by the Coast Guard.

The New York Times

The majority of teams, however, ran into challenges in applying interdisciplinary approaches to research which, in order to effectively address complex health system challenges, entail stretching and working across academic disciplinary boundaries.

Global Health Action

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

That measure could easily run into challenges as a violation of international trade law.

The New York Times

"Obviously, people run into challenges and we just wanted to help," she said.

The New York Times

PLAYWRIGHTS can easily run into challenges when they direct their own work.

The New York Times

Another co-founder of Twitter, Evan Williams, has also run into challenges with a new enterprise, the publishing platform Medium, even though it draws more directly on the knowledge that he acquired at his first startup.

The New Yorker

Confusion exists over what "Sharia compliant" means: Where financial products have run into challenges when marketed as Islamic or sharia compliant is that the consumer is baffled as to what this actually entails, how to assess its Islamic credentials, and this is combined with a big helping of scepticism.

The Guardian

Yet even if Fiat and Chrysler reach an agreement — and Fiat is in the driver's seat, as the White House has imposed an April 30 deadline on Chrysler — Mr. Marchionne will run into challenges that have relegated a long list of cross-border partnerships in the auto industry to failure.

The New York Times

There are still some soft-spots where mobile payments will run into challenges, according to Forrester.

TechCrunch

Smart, hard-working people with great ideas often run into challenges.

TechCrunch

Competitor Spotify has also run into challenges, and as we recently reported, it is looking to postpone its IPO plans until it can better improve its financial position. .

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ran into challenges" to describe unexpected difficulties encountered during a project or process. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "ran into challenges" is perfectly acceptable, avoid using it repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "encountered difficulties" or "faced obstacles" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ran into challenges" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the experience of encountering problems or obstacles. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in describing unforeseen difficulties. It often acts as a predicate in a sentence, expressing what happened to the subject.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ran into challenges" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively conveys the experience of encountering unexpected difficulties. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, with a neutral register that makes it versatile for both formal and informal communication. While its frequent use is acceptable, it's beneficial to diversify your writing by considering synonyms such as "encountered difficulties" or "faced obstacles" to enhance readability. The phrase's prevalence in News & Media and Science sources indicates its widespread applicability in describing real-world situations and research endeavors. The key is to use it judiciously, ensuring clarity and engagement in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encountered difficulties

Focuses on the act of meeting with problems.

faced obstacles

Emphasizes the presence of obstructions hindering progress.

met with setbacks

Highlights the experience of delays or reversals in progress.

experienced hurdles

Implies overcoming minor barriers or difficulties.

confronted problems

Suggests a direct and active engagement with issues.

struggled with issues

Indicates a prolonged and difficult effort to resolve problems.

grappled with complexities

Emphasizes the intricacy and difficulty of the situation.

endured hardships

Highlights the suffering and difficulties experienced.

underwent trials

Suggests a period of testing or difficulty.

navigated difficulties

Focuses on skillfully managing and overcoming challenges.

FAQs

What does "ran into challenges" mean?

The phrase "ran into challenges" means to encounter unexpected difficulties or obstacles while attempting to achieve something. It implies that the challenges were not necessarily anticipated.

What can I say instead of "ran into challenges"?

You can use alternatives like "encountered difficulties", "faced obstacles", or "met with setbacks" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "ran into challenges" in formal writing?

Yes, "ran into challenges" is generally appropriate for formal writing, though alternatives like "encountered difficulties" might be preferred in highly formal contexts. Consider your audience and the overall tone.

How is "ran into challenges" different from "anticipated challenges"?

"Ran into challenges" suggests the difficulties were unexpected. "Anticipated challenges" implies that the difficulties were foreseen and planned for.