will be challenging

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'will be challenging' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to express the idea that something will be difficult to do, or requires a lot of effort. For example, "Completing the project on time will be challenging, but our team is up to the task."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So that will be challenging".

Independent

But scaling up will be challenging.

The New York Times

The first round alone will be challenging.

The New York Times - Sports

Her task will be challenging.

The Guardian

But that will be challenging.

MIT Technology Review

Technically the mission will be challenging.

MIT Technology Review

Commercializing the technology will be challenging.

MIT Technology Review

Santos's next steps will be challenging.

The Washington Post

In a fractious political environment, that will be challenging.

The New York Times

But, experts say, creating them will be challenging.

The New York Times - Health

This will be challenging for many traditional providers.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Choose this phrase to indicate an expectation of difficulty, but not impossibility, allowing for a tone of optimism and potential success through effort. If the event is already known to be undoable, pick a more forceful phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "will be challenging" as a vague descriptor. Always specify what aspects of the situation are challenging and why, to give your audience a clearer understanding of the potential difficulties. Be specific. Replace generic statements like "The project will be challenging" with "Securing funding for the project will be challenging due to current economic conditions."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will be challenging" functions as a predictive adjective phrase, indicating that something in the future is expected to be difficult but not necessarily impossible. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "will be challenging" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to signal future difficulties. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for formal and informal contexts alike, but its effectiveness is maximized when used with specificity regarding the nature of the challenge. Common contexts include news, science, and business, where it serves to prepare audiences for potential obstacles and encourage proactive planning. While alternatives like "will be difficult" or "will require significant effort" exist, "will be challenging" provides a nuanced balance between difficulty and possibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will not be easy

States simply that something will be hard.

will present difficulties

Emphasizes the difficulties that will arise.

will pose a problem

Highlights the problematic nature of a future situation.

will be demanding

Highlights the demanding nature of the situation.

will require significant effort

Focuses on the amount of effort needed.

will involve hurdles

Focuses on overcoming obstacles.

will test one's abilities

Focuses on the trial of skills.

will necessitate ingenuity

Highlights the need for cleverness.

will stretch resources

Emphasizes strain on available resources.

will push boundaries

Highlights exceeding current limits.

FAQs

How can I use "will be challenging" in a sentence?

You can use "will be challenging" to describe a future situation that is expected to be difficult, such as "Completing the project on time "will be challenging" due to unforeseen delays".

What are some alternatives to "will be challenging"?

Some alternatives include "will not be easy", "will present difficulties", or "will require significant effort", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "will be challenging" or "will be difficult"?

"Will be challenging" and "will be difficult" are often interchangeable. However, "will be challenging" may imply that although difficult, the task is still possible, whereas "will be difficult" is a more neutral statement of hardship. The best choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.

Can "will be challenging" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "will be challenging" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a professional and clear way to express that a task or situation is expected to be difficult. It is frequently seen in news reports, business documents, and scientific publications.