what a challenge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what a challenge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express surprise or admiration regarding the difficulty of a task or situation. Example: "Completing the marathon was what a challenge I never expected to face."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

And what a challenge!

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"We knew what a challenge this offense represented".

The New York Times - Sports

Boy, oh boy, what a challenge this is".

The New York Times

"What a challenge!" said Mr. Link, who is 63.

The New York Times

I thought, 'What a challenge!' and it was thrilling and emotional.

Independent

What a challenge it must be for a younger choreographer to create for this group.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

But what a great challenge we face and I'm full of positivity for that challenge ahead".

Independent

Only you know what's a challenge for you and what's not.

WikiHow

But I am giving quite a lot of thought at the moment to what a newish challenge might be".

The Guardian

"We're just not going to spend our time learning constitutional law or what a 'Batson challenge' is".

The Guardian

How can they not see what a huge challenge this is?" The people who say that artificial intelligence is not a problem tend to work in artificial intelligence.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what a challenge" to express a mix of admiration and apprehension when facing a difficult but potentially rewarding situation. For instance, "Taking on this project is going to be what a challenge!"

Common error

Avoid using "what a challenge" sarcastically or in situations that are clearly trivial. This can undermine its impact and make your writing sound insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what a challenge" primarily functions as an exclamatory expression. It's used to convey a strong feeling about a task or situation, typically a blend of admiration, apprehension, and excitement. Ludwig AI examples show it frequently introduces a topic acknowledged to be difficult.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

15%

Books

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "what a challenge" is a common and grammatically correct exclamatory expression used to acknowledge the difficulty of a task while expressing excitement or admiration. Ludwig AI shows that it's frequently used in news, sports, and book contexts, suggesting a neutral register suitable for various situations, though more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or professional writing. Remember to use it sincerely and avoid overuse in trivial situations to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite a task

Focuses on the effort required, replacing 'challenge' with a more direct synonym.

a real test

Emphasizes the aspect of proving one's abilities or resilience.

no easy feat

Underlines the difficulty and accomplishment involved.

a significant hurdle

Highlights the obstacle-like nature of the challenge.

a formidable undertaking

Emphasizes the size and complexity of the challenge.

an uphill battle

Suggests a difficult and prolonged struggle.

a tough situation

Shifts the focus to the overall circumstance rather than the task itself.

a demanding endeavor

Stresses the effort and requirements of the challenge.

a complex problem

Highlights the intricacy and difficulty in resolving the challenge.

a stimulating opportunity

Presents the challenge as something positive and growth-inducing.

FAQs

How can I use "what a challenge" in a sentence?

Use "what a challenge" to express excitement or acknowledge the difficulty of a task. For example, "Learning a new language is "what a challenge", but it's also very rewarding."

What are some alternatives to "what a challenge"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "quite a task", "a real test", or "a significant hurdle".

Is it appropriate to use "what a challenge" in formal writing?

While "what a challenge" is acceptable, consider using a more formal alternative in academic or professional writing. Phrases like "a significant undertaking" or "a demanding task" may be more suitable.

When is it best to use "what a challenge"?

Use "what a challenge" when you want to express a mix of excitement and recognition of the difficulty involved in a particular task or situation. It's best used when the challenge is significant but also seen as potentially rewarding.