a Herculean effort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a Herculean effort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task or achievement that requires an extraordinary amount of effort, strength, or determination. Example: "Completing the marathon was a Herculean effort, but she crossed the finish line with pride."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a herculean effort.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It's unbelievable, a Herculean effort.

The Guardian - Sport

Indeed, the cleanup and decontamination has been a herculean effort.

The New York Times

"It's been a Herculean effort," Ms. Fougères said.

The New York Times

Turning statistics into jobs will be a Herculean effort, however.

The New York Times

"What a herculean effort from Mardy this weekend," McEnroe said.

The New York Times - Sports

"This is a Herculean effort," Mr. Nelson said.

The New York Times

Winning a reprieve, according to interviews with dozens of homeowners, can take a herculean effort.

The New York Times

And if she passes by Margaret Court, that's like Hercules, a Herculean effort to me.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's a herculean effort," Mr. Kemins said of Mr. Dixon's accomplishment.

The New York Times

It will take a Herculean effort to put this system in place.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a Herculean effort" to emphasize the exceptional strength, determination, and effort required for a particular task or achievement.

Common error

Avoid using "a Herculean effort" for tasks that are merely challenging or difficult. Reserve it for situations that genuinely demand extraordinary levels of exertion and resilience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a Herculean effort" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an undertaking that demands extraordinary strength and determination. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

9%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a Herculean effort" is a correct and frequently used phrase to describe a task requiring immense strength and determination. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, but particularly common in news, science, and academic writing. While grammatically sound, avoid overusing it in trivial situations; instead, reserve it for scenarios genuinely demanding extraordinary exertion. Consider alternatives like "a monumental task" or "an immense endeavor" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a monumental task

Replaces "effort" with "task", shifting the focus from the exertion to the undertaking itself, while maintaining a similar level of difficulty.

a labor of Hercules

Directly references the mythological Hercules, similar to the original phrase, but with slightly more emphasis on the labor involved.

a tremendous undertaking

Uses "undertaking" instead of "effort", emphasizing the scale and ambition of the project.

an immense endeavor

Replaces both "Herculean" and "effort" with synonyms, highlighting the scale and intensity required.

a massive undertaking

Similar to "a tremendous undertaking", but using "massive" to emphasize the scale.

a considerable exertion

Focuses on the energy expended, replacing "Herculean effort" with a description of the energy output.

a grueling endeavor

Highlights the exhausting and demanding nature of the effort.

an extraordinary feat

Highlights the achievement aspect of the effort, implying a remarkable accomplishment.

an uphill battle

Implies a constant struggle against significant resistance.

a significant struggle

Emphasizes the difficulty and opposition faced during the effort.

FAQs

What does "a Herculean effort" mean?

The phrase "a Herculean effort" refers to a task or undertaking that requires immense strength, determination, and effort, drawing a parallel to the legendary feats of the Greek hero Hercules.

How can I use "a Herculean effort" in a sentence?

You can use "a Herculean effort" to describe any situation where someone has to put in an enormous amount of work to achieve something. For example, "Climbing Mount Everest was "a Herculean effort" for the team".

What can I say instead of "a Herculean effort"?

You can use alternatives like "a monumental task", "a tremendous undertaking", or "an immense endeavor" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a Herculean effort" in a formal context?

Yes, "a Herculean effort" is appropriate for formal contexts, especially when describing a significant achievement or challenge that required extraordinary effort. It is commonly found in news articles, academic papers, and business reports.