a daunting decision

USAGE SUMMARY

'a daunting decision' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe any difficult decision that is made, particularly one that brings along with it a feeling of fear or trepidation. For example, "Faced with the daunting decision of choosing between two highly competitive job offers, Sarah was overwhelmed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

It was a daunting decision.

The New York Times

With 43.3 million Americans burdened with a total of $1.3 trillion in student loan debt, high school students thinking about attending college are faced with a daunting decision.

Stanford University

She is among a gaggle of high-profile guests, who, having been painstakingly fitted with one of Galliano's frocks, face a daunting decision over which dress to wear to the ball.

Independent

Even if the control of oil prices were in American hands, which it is not (since we have no means of influencing it other than using our reserves or jawboning OPEC), we would still face a daunting decision.

The New York Times

It was a daunting decision, she says, but for her it was a matter of personal integrity.

Science Magazine

Even with having an ambitious entrepreneurial spirit, disrupting your operations can be a daunting decision that is difficult to make.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

As any anti-trafficking expert will tell you, when a person comes out of a situation of entrapment, violence and exploitation – be it a city centre brothel or a day labourer's squalid trailer in a Lincolnshire field – they face a potentially daunting decision: whether to talk to the police or to anyone "official", and what to say anyway.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is a pretty daunting decision, and it's also a risky one.

The New York Times

That sets up a potentially daunting decision if you're going in blind (though I enjoy that approach)!

Forbes

Choosing a major is an exciting, yet sometimes daunting, decision for a freshman.

Johns Hopkins University

She never told me of this daunting decision, till the night when I learnt I was graduating as a Baker Scholar at Harvard Business School (top 5% of the class).

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context when using this phrase. While generally appropriate for formal and informal settings, be mindful of the specific tone you wish to convey.

Common error

While "daunting" is a perfectly acceptable word, avoid overusing it in very casual contexts. Sometimes simpler alternatives like "difficult" or "tough" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a daunting decision" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "daunting" modifies the noun "decision". It highlights the challenging and potentially intimidating nature of a particular choice. The Ludwig examples show it being used to describe real-life scenarios.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a daunting decision" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes a difficult and intimidating choice. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media, academia, and general writing. When using this phrase, consider the specific context and audience to ensure it effectively conveys the intended meaning. While versatile, overuse in highly informal settings may sound slightly out of place. Remember to consider more suitable alternatives using the suggestions above when needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging choice

Replaces "daunting" with "challenging", emphasizing the difficulty of the decision.

a formidable choice

Substitutes "daunting" with "formidable", highlighting the intimidating nature of the decision.

a tough call

Uses a more informal and concise expression for a difficult decision.

a significant decision

Focuses on the importance and potential impact of the decision.

a weighty decision

Emphasizes the burden and responsibility associated with the decision.

a critical choice

Highlights the crucial nature of the decision and its potential consequences.

a momentous decision

Suggests the decision is of great importance and historical significance.

a complex decision

Focuses on the intricate and multifaceted nature of the decision.

a difficult determination

A more formal way of saying a hard decision.

an intimidating choice

Highlights the feeling of apprehension or fear the decision evokes.

FAQs

What does "a daunting decision" mean?

The phrase "a daunting decision" refers to a choice that is difficult and intimidating, often because it involves risk, uncertainty, or potentially negative consequences.

How can I use "a daunting decision" in a sentence?

You can use "a daunting decision" in sentences like, "Choosing between multiple job offers can be a daunting decision" or "Facing a major surgery is a daunting decision for many patients."

What are some alternatives to "a daunting decision"?

You can use alternatives like "a challenging choice", "a tough call", or "a significant decision" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "daunting decision" or "difficult decision"?

Both "daunting decision" and "difficult decision" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Daunting" emphasizes the intimidating aspect of the decision, while "difficult" simply highlights that the decision is not easy. The best choice depends on the specific context.