this is a difficult challenge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is a difficult challenge" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a task or situation that requires significant effort or skill to overcome. Example: "As we embark on this new project, I must say that this is a difficult challenge, but I believe we can succeed with teamwork."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

For organizations that have traditionally separated core IT services and IT in programs, this is a difficult challenge, but one Carolyn Woo, CRS CEO, recently noted that we "must embark upon together".

Huffington Post

Narrowing the gas channels may prevent oxygen from diffusing to the active site, but finding mutations that accomplish this is a difficult challenge.

Plosone

This is a difficult challenge in a profession that has a perceived culture of strength and a traditional hierarchy.

BMC Medical Education

This is a difficult challenge, because very few of these patients have diseases that can be biopsied readily, because metastatic PC involve mostly the skeleton.

British Journal of Cancer

This is a difficult challenge for exposure assessors because relatively scant exposure-related information is available for most real-world mixtures of public health concern.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Indeed, without any reference genome, the RNA-Seq data must be de novo assembled, and this is a difficult challenge, as the level of coverage varies greatly between transcripts with different expression levels [ 16].

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"And that is a difficult challenge".

The New York Times

Building meaningful engagement online is a difficult challenge.

Cornell University

Converting big data into useful data is a difficult challenge.

The Guardian

Management of BPA is a difficult challenge.

Insights into Imaging

"It is a difficult challenge but it is very exciting.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "this is a difficult challenge", ensure the context clearly explains why the challenge is difficult. Providing specific reasons will add clarity and impact to your statement.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the difficulty of the challenge to the point where it seems insurmountable. While acknowledging the difficulty is important, maintaining a sense of optimism and possibility is equally crucial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is a difficult challenge" functions as a statement, expressing the speaker's assessment of a situation or task. It is used to acknowledge the presence of obstacles and the need for significant effort or skill, as evidenced by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

27%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

9%

Encyclopedias

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "this is a difficult challenge" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to acknowledge the complexity and effort required to overcome a task or situation. Ludwig's analysis, including the examples and related phrases, indicates its versatility across diverse contexts, from news reports to scientific publications. While adaptable, it's crucial to provide specific context and avoid overstating the difficulty to maintain clarity and encourage action. As Ludwig AI points out, this is a phrase that prepares for hurdles, yet hints at solutions and optimism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this presents a tough obstacle

Replaces "difficult challenge" with "tough obstacle", maintaining the sense of difficulty but with a slightly different nuance.

this poses a significant hurdle

Substitutes "difficult challenge" with "significant hurdle", emphasizing the idea of overcoming a barrier.

this is no easy task

Uses a more informal tone to convey the difficulty of the situation.

this requires considerable effort

Focuses on the amount of effort needed to address the challenge.

this demands careful handling

Highlights the need for caution and precision in dealing with the challenge.

this is a formidable undertaking

Replaces "challenge" with "undertaking" and "difficult" with "formidable", suggesting a large and potentially daunting task.

this is a Herculean effort

Draws a parallel to the mythical labors of Hercules, emphasizing the extreme difficulty.

this is a tall order

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate that the challenge is ambitious and difficult.

overcoming this won't be a walk in the park

Uses a more informal expression to imply that achieving something will be difficult.

this is going to be an uphill battle

Uses the metaphor of an uphill battle to express the difficulty of the challenge.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "this is a difficult challenge" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, you can use phrases like "this presents a significant challenge", "this poses a considerable hurdle", or "this requires substantial effort" to convey the same meaning as "this is a difficult challenge".

What are some less formal alternatives to "this is a difficult challenge"?

For less formal situations, consider using phrases like "this is no easy task", "this is a tough one", or "this is going to be an uphill battle".

Is there a difference between saying "this is a difficult challenge" and "this is a tough challenge"?

The phrases "this is a difficult challenge" and "this is a tough challenge" are largely interchangeable. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or the specific context. "This is a tough challenge" might be seen as slightly more informal.

How can I follow up after stating "this is a difficult challenge" in a presentation?

After stating "this is a difficult challenge", it's effective to immediately follow up with potential solutions, strategies, or reasons for optimism. For example, you could say, "This is a difficult challenge, but we have a strong team and a well-defined plan to address it effectively."