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pose a challenge — create difficulty

collocationC1IELTS 7+formaloccasional

to be something that is difficult to deal with

Say it like a native

Textbook An ageing population presents a formidable predicament for healthcare.

Native An ageing population poses a real challenge for healthcare.

'Pose a challenge' is the natural (slightly formal) collocation; 'presents a formidable predicament' is overblown.

Pattern: pose a challenge (to / for someone)

In use

  • Rising sea levels pose a serious challenge to coastal cities.society
  • An ageing population poses a challenge for healthcare systems all over the world.IELTS Part 3

Common mistake

✗ Climate change poses a challenge of coastal cities.

✓ Climate change poses a challenge to / for coastal cities.

'Pose a challenge TO / FOR' someone — not 'of'.

Common collocations

  • pose a challenge to — a serious challenge, a threat, a risk, to the system

Don't confuse it

To present a difficulty, not to dare someone to a contest.

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