Major undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Major undertaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or important task or project that requires considerable effort and resources. Example: "The construction of the new bridge is a major undertaking that will take several years to complete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was a major undertaking.

The New York Times

For one thing, a house move is a major undertaking.

The New York Times

It's a major undertaking, every judge reading everything.

The Guardian - Books

Eliminating that confusion has been a major undertaking.

The New York Times

Building the new church was a major undertaking.

The New York Times

Making all of these assessments would be a major undertaking.

Britannica

Recreating the Aleppo seed bank is a major undertaking.

The Guardian

Earning a college degree is a major undertaking.

Stanford University

But the tentative design suggests that it could be a major undertaking costing millions of dollars.

The New York Times

Throughout the depot's history, keeping track of the inventory has been a major undertaking.

The New York Times - Travel

Ms. Denerstein said the agreement was "a major undertaking" for the stores.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "major undertaking", ensure the context clearly conveys the significant effort, resources, or time required. This phrase is most effective when emphasizing the scale and importance of a project or task.

Common error

Avoid using "major undertaking" for tasks that are routine or require only moderate effort. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major undertaking" functions as a noun phrase, often used as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes an activity or project that is substantial in scope and requires considerable effort. Ludwig examples support this.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

22%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "major undertaking" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a substantial project or activity requiring significant effort and resources. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. With a high source quality score, its usage is prevalent across news, scientific, and academic contexts. Alternatives include "significant endeavor" and "substantial project". When employing "major undertaking", ensure the context justifies its use by emphasizing the scale, resources, and time investment required. Avoid overuse to maintain its impact. The phrase serves to highlight the complexity and commitment associated with a task.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

massive undertaking

Highlights the sheer size and scale of the task.

considerable undertaking

Emphasizes the scale and importance of the venture.

significant endeavor

Emphasizes the importance and effort involved.

substantial project

Highlights the size and scope of the project.

formidable task

Focuses on the difficulty and challenge presented.

ambitious endeavor

Stresses the high goals and aspirations involved.

monumental effort

Underscores the large amount of work required.

complex operation

Highlights the intricate nature and interconnected steps.

challenging task

Focuses on the difficulty and demands of the task.

extensive operation

Highlights the wide-ranging nature of the effort.

FAQs

How can I use "major undertaking" in a sentence?

You can use "major undertaking" to describe a project or task that requires significant effort and resources. For example, "Building a new hospital is a "major undertaking"."

What are some alternatives to "major undertaking"?

Alternatives include phrases like "significant endeavor", "substantial project", or "formidable task", depending on the specific context.

Is "major undertaking" a formal or informal phrase?

"Major undertaking" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but it's often found in news articles, business reports, and academic papers because it's a relatively neutral phrase.

What's the difference between "major undertaking" and "minor task"?

"Major undertaking" describes a significant, complex project, while "minor task" refers to a simple, straightforward activity. The key difference lies in the scale, effort, and resources involved.