to challenge something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to challenge something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the act of questioning, disputing, or contesting an idea, belief, or situation. Example: "She decided to challenge the decision made by the committee, believing it was unfair."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

We can only have a strategy to challenge something if you understand what you're challenging".

Independent

To make sense of it all, you need to understand that Ms. Fineman's mission is to challenge something that is absent from the show: a different view of photography that prevailed among the intelligentsia for most of the 20th century.

The New York Times - Arts

Any policy that can be summed up in three words already scores top marks for communication; and forcing critics to challenge something called a "right" immediately casts them as opponents of individual freedom.

The Guardian - Opinion

He appeared to challenge something, which to the General "looked like a whitish, female figure sliding towards the soldier".

Wikipedia

"You're not going to be perfect, especially if you're trying to challenge something that's difficult for you to begin with.

Vice

He continued, saying, "Many of our designers and creators want to challenge something new rather than simply porting over an old title.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"Downward Spiral felt like I had an unending bottomless pit of rage and self-loathing inside me and I had to somehow challenge something or I'd explode.

The Guardian - Music

It was time to challenge myself with something new".

The Guardian - Sport

I had to challenge myself to make something different, something more pedestrian, in a sense.

The New York Times - Arts

We all want something different from our daily routine, something to challenge us.

HuffPost

At last, something to challenge Robbie Savage's burgeoning self-regard.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to challenge something" when you want to express a proactive effort to question, dispute, or test the validity or strength of an idea, belief, or system. It implies a willingness to engage critically with the subject at hand.

Common error

Avoid using "to challenge something" when you simply mean to inquire or ask about something. The phrase implies a degree of skepticism or opposition, so ensure your word choice reflects your intended level of engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to challenge something" functions as an infinitive phrase, often used as part of a larger verb phrase. It describes the act of questioning or disputing a claim, idea, or concept. This is supported by Ludwig, which highlights examples where the phrase indicates a proactive effort to engage critically with a subject.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

32%

Science

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to challenge something" is an infinitive phrase used to express the act of questioning or disputing an idea, belief, or system. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and highlights its use in diverse contexts such as news, wiki and science. While the phrase is relatively common, careful attention should be given to its nuance, as it implies more than simple inquiry; it suggests a degree of skepticism or opposition. When choosing alternative phrases like "to question something", "to dispute something" or "to contest something", consider the specific context and intended level of engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to question something

Focuses on the act of asking about something to express doubt or uncertainty.

to dispute something

Implies a more formal disagreement or debate about the validity of something.

to contest something

Suggests a formal challenge, often in a legal or official context.

to object to something

Indicates disapproval or opposition to something.

to defy something

Implies open resistance or disobedience.

to confront something

Suggests facing something directly, often with the intent to challenge it.

to grapple with something

Highlights the struggle or difficulty in dealing with something.

to take issue with something

Indicates disagreement or disapproval, often in a polite or indirect way.

to push back against something

Suggests resisting or opposing a force or idea.

to call something into question

Focuses on expressing doubt or uncertainty about something's validity.

FAQs

How can I use "to challenge something" in a sentence?

You can use "to challenge something" to indicate a questioning or disputing of an idea, belief, or system. For example, "Scientists often seek to challenge established theories with new evidence."

What are some alternatives to "to challenge something"?

You can use alternatives like "to question something", "to dispute something", or "to contest something" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "to challenge something" or "to question something"?

While both phrases involve inquiry, "to challenge something" implies a stronger degree of skepticism or opposition. Use "to question something" when you simply seek clarification or information without necessarily disputing the subject.

What does it mean to challenge an assumption?

To challenge an assumption means to critically examine its validity and potentially present evidence or arguments against it. It involves questioning whether the assumption is accurate, justified, or relevant.