As daunting as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "As daunting as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the level of difficulty or intimidation of one thing to another. Example: "The task ahead is as daunting as climbing a mountain without any gear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Yet even as the allure of disarmament grows, the obstacles seem as daunting as ever.

The New York Times

But he shocked them when he said that none of that was as daunting as a South Korean classroom.

The New York Times

But he stunned them when he said that none of this was as daunting as a South Korean classroom.

The New York Times

THE business climate in Britain's oil and gas industry is as daunting as the winter weather in the North Sea.

The Economist

Of the big scientific programs in the past half-century, few if any were as daunting as the brain project.

The New York Times

Either way, the prospect of playing the Croatians is nothing like as daunting as it was one year ago.

Independent

Each time I've performed there at the Proms is as daunting as the last, but also very exciting.

The Guardian

"Performing at the proms about as daunting as anything I can remember getting myself into," he added.

The Guardian - Music

In the presence of Christy, his power to listen, to relish language itself, was as daunting as his typing.

The New York Times

Forging ahead with a population study, as daunting as it may be, could nevertheless have a scientific payoff.

Science Magazine

As daunting as the problems are, we can overcome them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as daunting as" to effectively compare the perceived difficulty or challenge of two different situations or tasks. This helps create a vivid image in the reader's mind.

Common error

Avoid using "as daunting as" repeatedly in a single piece of writing. This can make your writing sound monotonous. Instead, try to use a variety of comparative phrases to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as daunting as" primarily functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to describe something by comparing its intimidating or challenging nature to something else. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is used correctly and frequently in English writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as daunting as" is a common and grammatically correct comparative phrase used to express the level of challenge or intimidation associated with a particular task or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used in various contexts, from news media to scientific writing. The phrase effectively communicates the emotional and psychological impact of difficulty. When writing, use "as daunting as" to draw comparisons that highlight the challenging or intimidating nature of a subject, but remember to avoid overuse for stylistic reasons. Consider alternatives like "as intimidating as" or "as challenging as" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

As intimidating as

Replaces "daunting" with a synonym that emphasizes the feeling of being scared or threatened.

As challenging as

Substitutes "daunting" with a term that focuses on the difficulty and effort required.

As formidable as

Emphasizes the power and strength that makes something difficult to overcome.

As arduous as

Highlights the strenuous and tiring nature of the task.

As difficult as

A more general substitute, indicating a high level of trouble or complexity.

As overwhelming as

Focuses on the feeling of being burdened or unable to cope with something.

As tough as

An informal substitute for "daunting", suggesting something is hard to deal with.

As problematic as

Highlights the issues and troubles associated with a situation or task.

As herculean as

Implies a task that requires immense strength, courage, or effort, alluding to the feats of Hercules.

As taxing as

Highlights the burden or strain of a task.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "as daunting as"?

You can use alternatives like "as intimidating as", "as challenging as", or "as formidable as" depending on the context.

How to use "as daunting as" in a sentence?

Use "as daunting as" to compare two things that seem difficult or intimidating. For instance, "The prospect of public speaking was as daunting as facing a ferocious lion".

Is "as daunting as" a formal or informal phrase?

"As daunting as" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal or academic writing, you might consider using a more sophisticated alternative like "as formidable as".

What's the difference between "as daunting as" and "as difficult as"?

While both phrases indicate a level of challenge, "as daunting as" suggests a sense of intimidation or apprehension, whereas "as difficult as" simply refers to the level of effort or complexity required. Something can be "as difficult as" climbing a mountain but not "as daunting as" speaking in public.